SWITZERLAND. 517 



tion of the French generals, were established in the different dis- 

 tricts, and the whole assumed the name of the Helvetic republic, 

 Contributions and requisitions were levied, as usual, by the French 

 commissioners, and the most shocking enormities perpetrated. Dur- 

 ing the campaign of 1799, the northern part of Switzerland became, 

 the seat of war between the Austrians and the French, and the can- 

 tons of Schaffhausen and Zurich, especially the latter, suffered the 

 severest distress from the ravages of the contending armies. 



When the country, however, was no longer exposed to the horrors 

 of war, and especially after the conclusion of the peace of Lunevilie, 

 Switzerland became gradually more reconciled to its new form of 

 government ; but this form not perfectly according with the views 

 of Bonaparte, when he had become sovereign dictator in France, he 

 proposed a new constitution to the Swiss, which was accepted by the 

 senate, but gave such offence to the people in general that they flew 

 to arms, appointed commanders, formed magazines, and took the field 

 under several leaders, particularly Aloys Reding, who had distin- 

 guished himself in defending his country against the first invasion of 

 the French. They defeated the French troops in several skirmishes} 

 and, after an obstinate conflict under the walls of Bern, obliged that 

 city to capitulate, and forced the members of the government in the 

 interest of the French, to retire to Lausanne. These abject crea- 

 tures of France applied to the first consul, who immediately in 

 answer, signified his resolution of acting as mediator, assuring them 

 that his mediation should be efficacious ; requiring, at the same time, 

 that deputies from the senate and from each of the cantons, should 

 meet at Paris to assist in forming a government that might appear 

 less objectionable to the people. The Swiss, fearing the conse- 

 quences of further resistance, reluctantly acquiesced in the pro- 

 posal : the deputies met at Paris, the new constitution already des- 

 cribed was framed and accepted, Aloys Reding was appointed land- 

 amman of Switzerland, and on these terms tranquillity was restored 

 to the country. 



