their ministers at those courts the necessary strongest terms, an interference (jointly, if instructions for bringing this part of the busi possible), on their part, with the French goness to a conclusion. The undersigned re-vernment, to endeavour to avert the impendquests M. Otto to accept the assurances of his ing evil. I naturally observed to him in anhigh consideration. HAWKESBURY. swer, that the present state of political relations between the great powers of Europe afforded no prospect of his obtaining of their ministers at Paris, to adopt a concerted measure in favour of the object which he had so much at heart, and that of course I could not take it individually upon myself, without any express instruction from my government. He returned to me to-day, to acquaint me that he was not only as yet without a reply from any quarter, but had reason to fear that his prayers would not be listened to by the Austrian, Russian, and Prussian ministers; he therefore conjured me to transmit them to his Majesty's government, from whom only his countrymen could have a hope of deriving any assistance in the terrible conflict which he knew they were determined to stand, and which would only cease by the extermination of every virtuous and brave man in the country. He then put into my hand a note which he had drawn up in a hurry, and of which I inclose a copy. Whilst, my lord, it was out of my power to give him any encouragement to expect from his Majesty's government the assistance which his petition expresses, I have thought it my duty to lose no time in making you acquainted with a state of things which may shortly be attended with very important consequences.

wing-street, Aug. 23, 1802. No. 16-Extract of a dispatch from Mr. Merry to Lord Hawkesbury, dated Paris, Oct. 3, 1802-As soon as the Helvetic government had retired from Berne to Lausanne, the partizans of the antient federative system of the Swiss Cantons, who established immediately in the former city a provisional government, deputed a confidential to Paris, for the purpose of counteracting the measures of M. Stapfer, and of engaging the First Consul to suffer the inhabitants of Switzerland to settle their affairs amongst themselves. He was instructed in any emergency to address himself to the ministers here of the principal powers of Europe, and to solicit their interference and assistance in the objects of his mission. He reached Paris four days ago, and had reason to flatter himself, from the result of an interview which he had immediately with M. Talleyrand, that the First Consul would put no obstacle in the way of any arrangement which the Swiss might agree upon among themselves for the final settlement of their government; he was therefore much surprised to learn soon afterwards, that a change had taken place in - the First Consul's sentiments, and his astonishment was compleated when he found that the latter had taken so decided and so unfavourable a part in the business, as that which is announced by a resolution published in yesterday's Moniteur, (which I have the honour to transmit inclosed), in the form of an address to the inhabitants of Switzerland. This person having, besides this public declaration, ac quired some private information of its being the first Consul's intention to give the most immediate and vigorous effect to it, lost no time in addressing a letter to the latter, in which he took the liberty of stating that he must have been deceived by false representations, that his interference in the affairs of Switzerland was, as he was authorized to say, entirely unsolicited by the majority, and the best thinking part of the inhabitants; and that he had, therefore, to entreat of him, in the most earnest manner, to suspend the execution of his resolution until those explanations could take place, which he trusted might be the means of preventing the immense effusion of blood which would otherwise inevitably ensue. He at the same time addressed himself in the course of yesterday to me, as well as to the Austrian and Spanish ambassadors, and to the Russian and Prussian ministers, (not having gained admittance to Mons. de Cobenzel, nor to M. de Markoff or Lucchesini; he afterwards wrote to them), soliciting, in the

(Inclosure referred to in No. 16.)—Translation.-Note. So long as Switzerland was occupied by the French armies, the wishes of the people could never be freely manifested. The petty revolutions which took place in the government were the mere tricks of certain factions, in which the nation at large took but a very trifling interest. Scarcely did Switzerland think herself independent when she was desirous of returning to her ancient institutions, rendered stili dearer to her by her late misfortunes, and the arbitrary acts of the government furnished her with the means of doing so. Almost the whole of Switzerland, with unexampled unanimity and moderation, shook off the yoke. The Cantons formed themselves into constituent bodies; and twelve of the thirteen Cantons of Switzerland sent their representatives to the Diet of Schwitz, in order there to organize a central power which might be acceptable to the neighbouring powers. The aristocratical Cantons renounced their exclusive rights; the Pays de Vaud was left at liberty to form its own constitution, as well as Thurgovia and the other new Cantons. The government having taken refuge at Lausanne, was by no means secure there, notwithstanding its regular troops; perhaps even at the present moment it no longer exists. Who would not have thought that according to the

stipulation of the Treaty of Luneville, which the interposition of any foreign powers; and grants independance to Switzerland, and the with whatever regret his Majesty may have right of choosing its own government, every perused the late proclamation of the French thing was settled, and that this nation might government, he is yet unwilling to believe see its former happiness and tranquillity re- that they will farther attempt to controul that vive? Who could have thought that the First independent nation in the exercise of their Consul would have issued such a decree as undoubted rights. His Majesty thinks himthat of the 8th Vendemiaire? Is an independ- self called upon by his regard for the general ant nation to be thus treated? Should Bona- interests of Europe, and by his peculiar soli. parte persist in his determination, and the citude for the happiness and welfare of the other powers should not interpose in our fa- Swiss nation, to express these his sentiments vour, it only remains for us either to bury with a frankness and sincerity which he feels ourselves in the ruins of our houses, although to be due to his character, and to the good without hope of resistance, exhausted as we understanding which he is desirous of preserv are by the colossus who is about to overwhelming with the government of France. us, or to debase ourselves in the eyes of the whole universe! Will the government of this generous nation, which has at all times afforded so many proofs of the interest it takes in the welfare of the Swiss, do nothing for us under circumstances which are to decide, whether we are still to be ranked amongst free people! We have only men left us :-the revolution, and spoliations without end, have exhausted our means: we are without arms, without ammunition, without stores, and without money to purchase them.

Downing-street, October 10, 1802.
M. Otto, &c. &c.

Downing-street, October 10, 1802. No. 18.--Sir, his Majesty having deemed it expedient, that a confiden ial person should be sent at the present moment to Switzerland, in consequence of the communication which he has received from the Swiss confederacy, through their representative at Paris, I am comman led to inform you that he has made choice of you for that purpose. It is of the utmost consequence, considering the nature of No. 17.-Note Verbale.-Lord Hawkes the business with which you are entrusted, that bury has received his Majesty's commands to you should lose no time in taking your decommunicate, through Mr. Otto, to the French parture from hence, and that you should make government, the sentiments of deep regret every practicable exertion to arrive on the which have been excited in his Majesty's mind frontiers of Switzerland with as little delay as by the address of the First Consul to the possible. You will inform yourself there Helvetic people, which was published by au- what is the actual residence of the government thority in the Moniteur of the 1st instant, and of the Swiss confederation, to which you will by the representations which have been made immediately repair. Having taken the proper to his Majesty on this subject, on behalf of means to obtain a confidential interview with the nation whose interests are so immediately the persons who may be entrusted with the affected by it. His Majesty most sincerely principal direction of affairs, you will comlaments the covulsions to which the Swiss municate to them a copy of the note verbale Cantons have for sometime past been exposed; which I delivered to M, Otto, and which is but he can consider their late exertions in herewith inclosed; and you will take every no other light than as the lawful efforts of a opportunity of impressing upon their minds brave and generous people to recover their the deep interest which his Majesty takes in antient laws and government, and to procure the success of their exertions. You will state the re-establishment of a system which expe- to them, that his Majesty entertains hopes, rience has demonstrated, not only to be fa- that his representation to the French governvourable to the maintenance of their domestic ment may have the effect of inducing the happiness, but to be perfectly consistent with First Consul to abandon his intention of comthe tranquillity and security of other powers. pelling the Swiss nation by force to renounce The Cantons of Switzerland unquestionably that system of government under which they possess, in the same degree as every other in- had so long prospered, and to which they apdependent state, the right of regulating their pear to be almost unanimously anxious to reown internal concerns; and this right has turn. In this event his Majesty will feel himmoreover, in the present instance, been for. self bound to abstain from all interference on mally and explicitly guaranteed to the Swiss his part; it being his earnest desire that the nation by the French government in the Treaty Swiss nation should be left at liberty to reguof Luneville conjointly with the other powers late their own internal concerns, without the who were parties to that engagement. His interposition of any foreign power. If, howMajesty has no other desire than that the peo-ever, contrary to his Majesty's expectations, ple of Switzerland, who now appear to be so generally united, should be left at liberty to settle their own interual government without

the French government should persist in the system of coercion, announced in the procla mation of the First Consul, inserted in. the

fairs may have undergone a decided alteration, either in consequence of the submission of the Swiss Cantons, or of any compromise having taken place as to their internal concerns, it will be proper that, in that case, you should take up your residence in such a situation as you may think most convenient in the neighbourhood of Switzerland, of which you will give me the earliest intelligence, and there wait for his Majesty's further orders. I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed) HAWKESBURY.

Francis Moore, Esq.

Constance, October 31, 1802. No. 19.-My Lord, I have the honour to inform your lordship that I arrived here on the 22d instant, and that having received this evening authentic information of the submission of the Diet of Switzerland, assembled at Schwitz, to the French arms, I lose no time in dispatching the messenger Shaw, with this intelligence; from which your lordship will perceive that it only remains for me to obey that part of my instructions by which I am

up my residence in the neighbourhood of Swit-
zerland, and there to await his Majesty's fur-
ther orders. I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) FRA. MOORE.
The Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c.

Moniteur of the 1st instant, you will, in that case, inform yourself, by every means in your power, of the disposition of the people at large of the Swiss confederacy, and particularly of those who have the direction of their affairs, and of those who possess the greatest share of influence amongst them, to persevere in the defence of their rights, and in the maintenance of the system they have adopted. You will likewise enquire into the means of defence of which they may be possessed, and of the probability of their being exerted with success. You will on no account encourage them to persevere in active measures of resistance which they are not themselves desirous to adopt, or which they may believe are unlikely to be ultimately effectual. If, however, you should find that the people of the Swiss confederacy are generally determined to persevere in the maintenance of their independence, and of their right to return to their ancient system of government; and if you should be of opinion that from the union that subsists amongst the people, and from their zeal and enthusiasm in the cause in which they are engaged, they are finally re-directed, under such circumstances, to take solved at all hazards to resist the threatened attempt of the French government to inter pose by force of arms, in the settlement of their internal concerns; you will then immediately communicate, in confidence, to the Swiss government, that either in the event of a French army having entered the country, or in the event of your having reason to be convinced that a French army is actually advancing for that purpose, his Majesty has authorised you to accede to their application for pecuniary succours. I have furnished you with a cypher and decypher that you may have it in your power to correspond with his Majesty's ministers at Vienna and Munich, if you should think it adviseable; and as it is highly probable that the armies of the Swiss confederacy may be inadequately supplied with arms, ammunition, or provisions, and may be desirous of procuring supplies thereof from the neighbouring countries, you will use your utmost endeavours to give them every facility for this purpose. You will be very particular in informing me of the numbers and situation of any Austrian corps in the neighbourhood of Switzerland, and of the probability of their advancing in any event into the Swiss territory. As it is of great importance that his Majesty's government should be regularly informed of the events which may be passing in Switzerland, and of the dispositions that may prevail there, you will endeavour to ascertain the most safe and expeditious mode of conveying your letters which will avoid their passing through any part of the French Republic. As it is possible that previous to your arrival in Switzerland the present state of af

Downing-street, November 25, 1802. No. 20.--Sir, I have duly received your several letters by the messenger Shaw. As from the present state of Switzerland your continuance in the vicinity of that country appears to be no longer necessary, you are at liberty to return to England as soon as it may suit your convenience. I am, &c.

(Signed) HAWKESBURY.

Francis Moore, Esq.

No. 21.--Extract of a dispatch from Mr. Liston to Lord Hawkesbury, dated Hague, 13th October, 1502.-A few hours after I had sent off my last dispatch to your lordship, (on Saturday, the 9th of this month), the French ambassador, M. de Semonville, waited upon the President of the government of state, and informed him that he had just received, by a courier from Paris, orders to inform the government of this country, "Que le Premier Consul avoit appris, avec autant de surprise que d'indignation, que des personnes avides de révolutions vouloient de nouveau troubler le repos dans la Batavie, en abusant même pour cet effêt de noms respectables; et que le Premier Consul, comme allié de la Republique, invitoit le gouvernement à prendre toutes les mésures nécessaires pour maintenir l'ordre des choses établi par la constitution." These were nearly the words read to me by the secretary of state, from a note in his own hand-writing, dictated to him by M. de Se

monville, with a view to its publication, (and | given that government might provide for the pay

a translation was accordingly inserted in the Dutch official paper of the Hague on the 11th); but they fall very short of the language employed by the French minister for foreign affairs in his dispatches to the ambassador, and in the communication made by him to the Dutch chargé d'affaires at Paris, (who also sent a messenger to the Hague upon this occasion). In these M. de Talleyrand entered into considerable detail on the subject of the plots supposed to be formed in this country against the administration, mentioned the names of the chiefs, and ended by making an offer, on the part of the First Consul, to come to the assistance of the government (should circumstances render it necessary) with all his forces.

Hague, October 29, 1802.

of the officers in question. The administration appear resolved to oppose all the resistance in their power to this unexpected and oppressive extortion. An express has been sent off to the Dutch ambassador at Paris, charging him to claim, in the most urgent terms, the accomplishment of the treaties subsisting between the two Republics, and the fulfilment of the repeated and recent promises made by the French government upon this subject. And in case of the failure of this application, they talk of addressing themselves to the prin cipal powers of Europe who had any share or influence in the conclusion of the peace, to iatreat their intervention and good offices, with a view to the maintenance of the independence of the Republic. I have the honour to be, ROB. LISTON.

&c.

No. 22.-My Lord, The recent attack Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c. made by Buonaparté upon the liberties and in- No. 23.-Extract of a dispatch from Lord dependence of the Swiss Cantons, has naturally Hawkesbury, to Lord Whitworth, dated Nomade a strong impression upon the inhabitants vember 30, 1802.-His Majesty's governof this country; and the public anxiety has been ment have learnt with some surprize from the much augmented by certain symptoms in the communications from General Stuart, that conduct of the consular government, which that officer had signified to Colonel Sebastiani seem to indicate an intention not to withdraw his inability to evacuate Egypt, until he should the French troops, which have been kept in the receive specific orders for that purpose. It is Batavian Republic for some time past, under certainly true that no warrant has been transthe title of auxiliaries, and paid and main-mitted to General Stuart, or to his predecestained at the expence of the Dutch nation. These troops (amounting to between ten and eleven thousand men) were to remain here till the conclusion of the definitive treaty with Great Britain. It was afterwards formally promised on the part of France, that they should evacuate the territories of the Republic at the latest, on the expiration of the last French year (the 23d of September.) They accordingly began their march to the south ward a few days before that period; and the government and the people rejoiced at the prospect of being finally relieved from a load which has become extremely irksome to them. But, on pretence that a great proportion of the corps were to be embarked at Flushing for Louisiana, and that there was a want of ship. ping for their accommodation, they took up their quarters on the frontiers of the country (at Bois-le-Duc, Breda, and Bergen-op-Zoom), where they still remain; and demands have continued to be made for their pay and main tenance. Hopes were, however, entertained from day to day, that their departure would take place; when, to the astonishment of the Batavian government, official notice was (last week) transmitted from France to the department of war at the Hague, (which has been charged with the support of these corps), that the First Consul has been pleased to appoint a new commander in chief (General Montrichard), and a new staff, for the auxiliary troops in this country; and the notice was

sor the Earl of Cavan, for the evacuation of Egypt; neither was it considered to be necessary, in as much as his Majesty's government had already expressed their intention to General Stuart, in his instructions, that, except in a case of absolute necessity, the King's troops should remain in Egypt no longer than the month of July last. In all the instances of which places had been conquered by the King's forces, and of which possession had been taken in his Majesty's name, it has been usual when they have been restored to the French Republic, or its allies, that the commanding officer should be furnished with a regular warrant under the King's sign manual, authorizing him to make such restoration. But the case of Egypt is different,as that country had never been taken possession of in his Majesty's name, as it had been actually restored to the Ottoman Porte, and as certain stations in it were continued to be occupied merely as military posts, until the means of removing the troops should be provided. It is probable, that in the present instance, General Stuart may have been misled by a doubt as to the extent of his own power, and by the opinion that he required a warrant to evacuate Egypt, similar to that which had been granted to officers who superintended the restitution of conquests of which possession had been taken in his Majesty's name. In order, however, to obviate any farther difficulties, instructions have now been sent to General Stuart directing him to re