The gazette (Portland, Me.), 1798-09-17 00:00:00

The Gazette.
[NUMBER 21.]
By ELEZER ALLEY JENKS, Portland, Maine.
[VOLUME 1.]
Monday, September 17, 1798.
Warning to Americans:
OR, EFFECTS OF FRENCH DIPLOMATIC SKILL.
[My readers are here furnished with an authentic and minute history of the fall of the Swiss government and freedom; as also an interesting narrative of the conduct of the French towards Geneva—contained in a letter written by an eye-witness to these important events—Americans! you are threatened with the same destruction! The fate of European republics is held out as an example for you, by those monsters of human depravity, the Directors of France!—Read this all-important History, which unfolds a scene of treachery, iniquity, and barbarity, that Frenchmen only are capable of acting. It should operate as a solemn call from the graves of murdered nations, to awaken the energy of freemen, and summon them to a timely resistance—I hope no one will complain of the length of an article so interesting to mankind.]
THE LETTER AND HISTORY.
Sir,
THE fate of Switzerland no longer permits me to defer answering your letter, in which with such lively interest, you express your eagerness to learn the news of Geneva: and evince your solicitude and hopes still to find that the Helvetic Body perseveres in its system of neutrality. The tenor of your applause of their conduct recalls to my mind the eulogium passed on it by lord Lansdown, "that human wisdom had taken refuge in the sovereign council of Berne."
I owe to you, Sir, that with you and his lordship, I had, at times, flattered myself that, in scrupulously avoiding to give the least umbrage to the belligerent powers, the Swiss cantons would escape the double scourge of revolution and of war. This illusion is vanished forever; the finest part of Switzerland is now nothing more than a province of France. This power has taken from the inhabitants, their magistrates, their laws, and their property; and not content with depriving them of their arms, it has destroyed even those monuments which brought to their recollection the glorious purposes to which their ancestors devoted them.
If you have received the French papers they will have already given you a sufficient idea of this scene of desolation, to lead you to conjecture what they have thought proper to conceal. I never could have the courage to make up the deficiency by such an horrible recital; but I flatter myself that I shall satisfy your curiosity, and that of your friends in a more useful manner by tracing the dreadful catastrophe of the Swiss to its original cause, the feeble and undecided conduct of their own governments.
That of Berne will suffice me: From its preponderance in the league, it has, almost always, guided the rest of the confederate cantons; and, from the divisions of its Senate, you will derive a faithful image of what passed in the other cantons.
Ever since the beginning of this century, there has existed in the sovereign council of Berne, a party of "opposition," called "patriots;" and it must be admitted that in ordinary times, this party was eminently useful, in restraining the aristocracy, and moderating its power. But since the crisis, which yet agitates Europe, these two parties became more marked and distinguished; one of them was denominated the French party; the other the English party. Neither merited these insulting appellations; both parties were, exclusively, attached to their own country, and differed only as to the means of saving it from the storm with which it was threatened. One of these, directed by the avoyer Steigner, looked upon a war with France, as inevitable; they saw, at least, no other resource to avoid it, than that of being perfectly prepared before-hand, and resisting with firmness, all innovations on their internal policy, of presenting to foreign nations, a firm and determined attitude, and of submitting to no acts of condescension to republican France, which had not been granted, under its monarchical state; in short, to observe, faithfully, towards her all their ancient treaties, but to suffer, no violation on any terms. It was in conformity to these principles, that Steigner would have had the diet, in 1792, to have peremptorily exacted the evacuation of that part of the Bishoprick of Basle, which the French troops had invaded, although that state had a right to the confederated protection of Berne to which it was strictly allied. The other party, at the head of which was the treasurer Frising, wished on the contrary, to avoid all discussion, which might provoke a rupture with France; it believed, that in the midst of the almost universal conflagration of the continent, Switzerland could save herself only by the policy of petty states, that of temporizing and delay; that above every thing, it was important to arrive at the end of the war without taking any part in it; that to reach the port, as it was called, they ought to conceal their grievances, or, at least, to throw over them a kind of veil; to complain of them with the greatest moderation; and not regard themselves
as dishonored by any acts of complaisance to which they could submit without immediate danger.
This party, at first the weakest, did not fail to obtain much influence, when the repeated defeats of the allied troops had furnished the most powerful argument, of the impossibility of the Swiss resisting, by arms, a nation which had vanquished the best troops of Europe, and which was electrified by its victories: Thus the policy of the Bernois became, by degrees, that of the confederates; and they were much less aware of the snare into which they were betraying themselves, from France availing herself of it at first, with the greatest circumspection, for the evident reason that the neutrality of Switzerland covered her frontiers on the most vulnerable side.
However, the thirteen cantons would infallibly have opened their eyes on the danger which awaited them, if France had not sent them, for minister, her most able negotiator, and perhaps the only one capable of seducing them. I ought to explain myself: For in thus imputing to Mr. Barthelemy their ruin, I do not pretend to say, that he had foreseen it, much less, that he was willing to be instrumental in effecting it. He has been the victim, even before them, of the fatal councils he gave. In accepting his nomination to the Directory he has afforded the most satisfactory proof, that he had abandoned himself to the senseless hopes with which he had lulled the Swiss magistrates, and this will explain to you how he proceeded in obtaining from them so many acts to which they were so averse. He always softened the harshness by the manner of his demands; nor did he at times even dissemble that he personally disapproved of them; but he conjured them to temperize; he told them that Europe rapidly approached to the end of the storm; that it deeply concerned the Helvetic Body to let it pass without being drawn into its vortex, that they would be exposed to lose the fruits of all the sacrifices hitherto made, if they refused certain concessions which were the inevitable consequences of what had been before acceded.—It was by these arguments and others of a like kind, that he even obtained the expulsion of the banished Priests, to whom Switzerland had given an asylum; but altho' the magistracy were blind, the Swiss people began to awake, and to feel themselves degraded in the persons of their leaders: For, Sir, you will agree with me, that one of the greatest crimes that can be committed by the chiefs of a free people is to disgrace them in their own opinion.
Without doubt you were astonished at the time, at the weakness of the Helvetic body, and at the ascendancy which Barthelemy had acquired in its councils: but perhaps you do not know to what a point his personal morality, his wisdom and uprightness, and above all, the sincere interest he took in the happiness of the Swiss, were calculated to gain their confidence. I shall never forget the lively impression that he one day made on me on perceiving my astonishment that a man like him should consent to remain under the orders of Roberspiere—he conducted me towards a map of Europe, and encompassing with two fingers the space that comprehended Switzerland, he said "no, you will not blame me in the end, if, in thus devoting myself, I succeed in preventing the lava of this volcano from reaching this little corner of the earth, so happy, and so worthy of being happy."
Observe also, that at the same time, while Barthelemy obtained from the Helvetic government almost all the concessions which he demanded of them, he covered them with his shield, in aiding them, in discarding the French emissaries who came to revolutionize their people, and in refusing decidedly his support to all the revolutionary Swiss. He did yet more—He had the address to persuade all the various factions which successively attained the seat of the government of France, that the first attempt of the kind, which they should permit, would push the diet to the desperate resolution of affording a passage to the German troops. It was by this double service that Barthelemy rendered himself, by degrees the mediator between France and Switzerland; and that the people, whose hearts he had truly gained, suffered themselves to be drawn imperceptibly from concession to concession. If by good fortune, there had been sent, at first, a rash & intriguing minister, they would have been apprised in time of their danger, and their prompt reunion with the coalition might, possibly, have changed the face of affairs. But I repeat, that Barthelemy, who lulled them to sleep, for long time, on the brink of the gulf of destruction, so little suspected its depth that he precipitated himself into it; for he accepted, as before observed, the eminent place which was offered him at Paris, only because he considered the revolution as finished within France, and that he could consolidate it by accelerating a general pacification. You may recollect, Sir, the hopes that all Europe reposed on his conciliatory disposition, and the great popularity which followed him on entering France. In vain was his modesty in attempting to pass incognito, in order to escape the acclamations and festivals that were prepared for him on his way to Paris. Never was Washington received
with such flattering testimonies of esteem and gratitude. But here terminates the parallel between the two nations. The same people, who, in the month of May, prepared for Barthelemy triumphal arches, four months after saw him carried, as a vile criminal, from province to province, in a sort of cage, without receiving in his sufferings the smallest mark of pity or interest in his sufferings—and the official paper of those who usurped his place now announces, as a proof of their humanity, that having fallen ill, he has been transported to the hospital of Cayenne , where he is perfectly well taken care of .
However striking may be this individual example of the vicissitudes of a revolution, it is nothing in comparison with the catastrophe of Switzerland. Hardly had the directory rid themselves of Mr. Barthelemy, and disarmed Austria when they judged that an opportunity had arrived of seizing the treasure of Berne, and delivering up to pillage that canton, and those of Fribourg and Soleure. A project which they took great care to conceal until the moment when one column of the army of Italy, destined, as was said, against England, arrived on the frontiers of the Pays de Vaud. Although this route was the natural march of the troops, the illusion of the Magistrates of Switzerland on this point was dissipated, in a degree, after the events that took place at Porison, the 18th Fructidor. Those of Berne, even began to replace their confidence in Mr. Steigner, when news from Paris announced to them, that it was no longer the time to have recourse to their councils, that they must fly to arms; that having waited the issue of the continental war, they were now condemned to sustain its whole weight and that the army of Italy marched against them alone.
The Directory, not choosing to trust entirely to the bravery of this army, applied themselves with the greatest care to separate the aristocratical governments from the people, and to take from them, if possible, the support of their subjects, by endeavouring to persuade the latter that they had no other view, than to force the Patrician families to divide the administration, with the other classes of citizens. This attempt produced no effect upon the German people of these cantons; but there was in that district of Switzerland called the Pays de Vaud, a certain class of inhabitants amongst the Town's people, who had a long time since been tampered with by the Directory who secretly offered them its support. The only thing which restrained them was the fear of passing under the dominion of France, in accepting her proffered assistance.
With a view to tranquilize this devoted people the Directory did not hesitate to declare by their Minister at Basle, "that far from being disposed to make conquests upon the Helvetic Body, or entertaining the smallest design against its integrity, the French republic was determined, to live in peace and perfect harmony with the Swiss nation, and even to guarantee, in the most solemn manner its independence and its freedom."
To give more weight to this declaration the directory, four days after, seized an occasion to suppress, with much clamour, some of the Paris news papers, against which was charged a very heavy crime, namely, the intention to calumniate the directory in imputing to them views of invading Switzerland, contrary to good faith.—Hitherto, Sir, you perceive in this stroke of arbitrary power, only the effect of extreme delicacy, & sensibility, which had induced the French government to refute, with so much clamour, the smallest insinuation of a breach of public faith; but read the last words of this incendiary Arrete , viz. "and thereby frighten the Helvetic people, upon the consequences of those measures, which it would adopt to re-establish them in the plenitude of their rights."
This was only, as you perceive, a new version of the famous decree of the 19th November, 1792, which, notwithstanding what certain writers have been pleased to say, has never been revoked, but is, at this day, in full force.
But the Directory was not content with this war of the pen; for, at the same time, they ordered their troops to take possession of that part of the Bishoprick of Basle, into which they had not yet penetrated. This march placed the troops at the distance only of seven or eight leagues from Berne, and then to compleat an insurrection of the people, and frighten the administrators, it was notified to the latter on the twenty eighth of December, "that the members of the government of Berne and Fribourg should answer personally for the safety of the persons, and property of the inhabitants of the Pays de Vaud, who had applied, and who might yet apply, to the French republic to claim by her mediation, the execution of ancient treaties, to the end of maintaining them in or restoring them to their rights."
I need not inform you, that there never existed any treaty, either ancient or modern, which authorized, in the smallest degree, the interference of France in the internal affairs of the cantons: but it may not be useless to recollect, that a few weeks before this menace of an armed mediation, Buonaparte refused his interference to the Grisons, who solicited it to prevent the Cisalpine republic from seizing on one of their
provinces, and to whom he made this answer, "It is one of our principles to intermeddle as little as possible with the affairs of other people." Perhaps it may be necessary to acquaint you, that the inhabitants of Pays de Vaud, to whom France thus granted her mediation, with an armed force, were certain men who had endeavoured to introduce, into Switzerland, the French revolution, nearly about the same time, that your government suppressed, at Pittsburgh, a similar enterprise. That of the Vaudois was effected without the effusion of blood; but the guilty were judged according to the laws of their country, and the greatest part were exiled, or escaped into France, where they solicited a long time, in vain, the protection of the Directory.
The latter waited only for the termination of the continental war to grant to these exiles their public support. As soon as these received the first signal they passed it to their partisans, who, thereon in several of the villages of the Pays de Vaud ran to arms on the 10th of Jan. 1798, planted trees of liberty, and proclaimed a Republique Lemannique .
This first scene passed without resistance, which is so much the more surprising as a great majority of the people, especially those of the country, only waited for orders to fall upon the insurgents, and nothing would have been more easy than to have overawed them before the arrival of the French troops; but the government of Berne slept in such perfect security, that not even one of their bailiffs had conditional orders to direct, in such a case, the force of the people, who should remain faithful to their government; and it was by this unpardonable want of foresight that the loyal people were reduced to inaction. Abandoned by their legitimate chiefs, they preferred the yoke of the revolutionary Vaudois, to that of the French soldiery, and remained passive, deceived by a proclamation, wherein General Menard assured them that his army approached the frontiers only, by the effect of its presence, to prevent the enemies of their freedom from suppressing that noble enthusiasm which elevated them to liberty." Scarcely had he learned that no one had endeavoured to suppress this enthusiasm than he pushed on with all his troops to Lausanne, where his first care was to levy, by way of loan, a subsidy of about forty five thousand pounds sterling . This unexpected extortion, and the irruption of the French, began to deprive him of the greatest part of his partisans; but this defection did not prevent him from pursuing his march against the German part of the canton. The commander in chief caused himself to be preceded by another manifesto, in which he repeated to the Bernois precisely what Buonaparte had declared to the Italians, "The French are your brothers. Put far away from your minds all distrust; they will respect your property, your customs, your religion, your independence. Ask the inhabitants of the Pays de Vaud."
While he thus invoked their testimony, these unhappy people, in despair for having been duped by his first promise, escaped from all parts to join the army of the Bernois, where they collected, to the number of from three to four thousand men. It was this column, justly called the faithful column, which achieved such prodigies of valour, to efface the blot of their former inaction; and it was, above all, that, to which the message of the French Directory alluded, when, in announcing the victory, they represent it as so much the more glorious, as it was disputed with uncommon bravery, and inconceivable fury. On the first news of the invasion the two parties at Berne were reunited to each other, and it is even said, that on this occasion the treasurer Frising deplored, with no less candour than bitterness, the false policy which had plunged all Switzerland in so long and so fatal a security. They now thought only of fighting, and the militia of the German country ran to arms with an alacrity and zeal very proper to cause those Senators to blush, who had not ceased to raise doubts of their fidelity and their patriotism.
They demanded with vehemence to be led against the enemy, and such was the intention of their General d'Erlach, for he relied less on their discipline than on their valour; he knew the danger of suffering their enthusiasm to cool by marches and countermarches, the expediency and object of which they would not have been sensible of, nor consequently did he accept of the command, but when invested with full, and the most unlimited powers. Hardly had he received them but he resolved on a general attack, fixed the day of battle, and indicated his resolution to his troops; who, altho' inferior in numbers, received the news with transports of joy. After what passed in the sequel, there is every reason to believe, that if d'Erlach had not been thwarted at Berne, or if the revocation of his full powers had not arrived till after the engagement, the chances would have been at least equal. And it is very evident that the French General entertained this opinion, since he hastened to propose an armistice, in order, as he said, to enter upon conferences for peace.—Would you believe it, Sir? upon this news, the Senate of Berne again fell into its former indecision. The party, who flattered themselves that peace was yet possible, resumed its

former majority, and revoked the full powers given to D'Erlach.—From this moment all was lost, and the militia believed themselves betrayed, not only by the party, which they accused of being devoted to France, but by many, of their military chiefs, on receiving from them orders for certain retrograde movements, which this new state of things rendered necessary.—These peasants, whose ardent courage was mounted to the highest pitch, on perceiving the enemy, and on learning that the Soleurcis had been cut to pieces, believed themselves sold when a retreat was ordered, and, in the first paroxysms of rage, they sacrificed several of their general officers.
This is, without doubt, an indelible blot on the character of the Helvetic people, but it ought to fall entirely on those scandalous divisions in the government, which, after having displayed so much wisdom and capacity on ordinary occasions, discovered itself so unequal and pusillanimous in the hour of danger.—It is a great misfortune, that Switzerland did not, on this occasion, think to name a Dictator, or that, in its federal association, it does not, as yours, present the incalculable advantage of an unity in the Executive.
You already know the deplorable consequences which remain for me to recite: You know, without doubt, that the French General profited of this moment of universal confusion to make an attack upon all points, in spite of the armistice, and he just fied himself for this breach of faith, in writing to the Directory, "In a position so critical, I thought myself justified to repel force by force, and not doubting their intention to attack, there remained only to me to prevent it." In short, sir, you must have seen that according to his own confessions the Swiss militia, disorganized as they were when he made the attack, "sustained with incredible bravery, five successive actions, and scarcely driven from one position but they knew how to avail themselves of another."
Perhaps you are uninformed, that in the last of these five engagements, it was the Advoyer SREITNER, who brought back the Bernois to the charge, and that this chief of the Senate, indignant at seeing his corps debating upon the possibility of obtaining peace, when the noise of the cannon was heard, even at the gates of Berne, quitted the Senate, where he presided, to seek death at the head of the troops. However it is not true that he had the good fortune to meet such a fate, as hath been related in some papers; the truth is that he everywhere braved death; and was on the point of ending his days so gloriously, when four peasants serving him as a shield, forced the aged statesman into a car, and carried him, in spite of his efforts, far from the field of battle.
The first thing which the French did, on arriving at Berne, was to confer provisionally, his place upon his rival, the treasurer Frisching.—But they did not long delay to depose him, on perceiving, that they had been deceived by those who described him as their partisan. I am far from believing that he ever was one, and I am even convinced that he constantly held their principles in abhorrence. It is too true, however, that a spirit of opposition led him to contravene every vigorous measure which Steigner's party proposed, whether to preserve the dignity of the national character, or to prepare, in any event, for the common defence. And, in short, and above all things that these oppositions, and this sort of intestine division, more than any thing else, contributed to create a belief in the French, that they had a powerful party in Switzerland, who would support them on their arrival. I even doubt, if they would ever have thought of entering the country without such a hope as this.
Fribourg became the victim of the same violation of the armistice, of which I have before spoken. This city was attacked and taken in the midst of the night, when the inhabitants had abandoned themselves to slumber on the faith of the new conferences, which the French General had demanded. The letter in which he has rendered an account of this exploit is a very instructive paper, especially when compared with all the subsequent manifestos, wherein he boasts of having been received as a benefactor, by the majority of the Swiss Peasantry, who had invoked him to assist them in shaking off [Continued to the fourth page of this paper.]
European News.
PARIS, JULY 2.
On the 11th June, the Island of Malta surrendered to Gen. Buonaparte.—The French found there for plunder 2 ships of the line, 4 gallies, 1200 pieces of cannon, 40,000 muskets, and one million five hundred thousand wt. of gun powder. A handsome booty.
The council of 500 took into consideration the message containing the surrender of Malta:
Duviquet.—"At length your civic alarms are dissipated. Every one of you, uneasy as to the destination and fate of the French fleet which sailed from Toulon, was anxiously expecting intelligence from it. Buonaparte has sent you such news as is worthy of himself.—His first dispatch is begun with a victory—with a conquest. This proud Island has then at length submitted to the yoke—this Island, which was the strong hold of aristocratic prejudice and monastic superstition, nothing could defend it against the just vengeance of the Great Nation; neither its superb ramparts, the work of
three ages, nor its 1200 pieces of cannon, not the recollection of its ancient glory. What Solyman was unable to effect in 1565, after a siege of several months,—what his successors have not been able to accomplish, though goaded by the numerous insults which were offered to the Ottoman flag—Buonaparte executed in a moment. With what confusion will England and Russia, who always reckoned this port in the Mediterranean as secure to them, he now overwhelmed? Malta is again free from the yoke of the Carthaginians; and, thanks to the new Romans, this people are now about to resume their former political and commercial greatness." He then proposed, in honor of this brilliant prelude to the first victories of our naval army, and the new successes which its chief is meditating, a resolution that the victorious French army at Malta has deserved well of their country.
Eschaffereaux, the elder, supported this resolution, which was passed unanimously.
The cannon were then fired, as a token of victory and joy.
Letters from Amsterdam bring the unpleasant intelligence that the English men of war which are cruising in the north seas, have of late captured several merchantmen, laden on account of the merchants of that place.
LONDON, JULY 3.
A letter from Egypt, dated Alexandria, 1st Floreal, states, there have arrived here from Constantinople several Greeks, accompanied by several Frenchmen, in the uniform of engineers.—They have the orders of the Grand Seigneur that they should be furnished with every thing they should require for a French squadron and troops which were to land in the port, and which after having remained there for some time, are to re-embark and proceed for Aleppo. Several other Frenchmen are here besides, to prepare for the reception of their countrymen, and to form magazines for the army, which it is said will consist of 60,000 men. A firman of the Grand Seigneur gives orders that the French should be furnished with every thing they want on paying for it.—The French who are here have agents who collect every possible information relative to the Isthmus of Suev, and the navigation of the Red Sea. They are likewise to inquire whether the English have any ships in the Persian Gulph.
Buonaparte is said to have written on his departure from Malta to the Viceroy of Sicily, informing him that if he admits any English ships into the ports of that island, such admission will be deemed a declaration of war by the king of Naples against France.
The French found 4,500 Turks in Malta, whom they immediately set at liberty.
The French have given the town and territory of the old republic of Lucca, to the grand duke of Tuscany, in exchange for a part of the Tuscan dominions, which he is to cede to the Cisalpine republic. Another unit to the sum total of French respect for "sister republics," is thus added.
Five hundred guineas have been bequeathed to Mr. Fox by a gentleman lately deceased.
The king of Prussia has refused permission to the academy of arts and sciences to insert the republican calendar in the almanac of Berlin.
About the last of June, John Story, printer, of Belfast, Ireland, was executed for high treason.
Twenty two convents have been suppressed at Rome.
Two French frigates near Batavia, have lost most part of their crews—and French troops, which were landed from them are growing thinner every day by disease, &c.
The Isle of France is said to be in a very distressed situation since the liberation of the slaves; and that the inhabitants have applied to British Admiral Christian for protection.
The French frigate La Belle Angelique , fitted out in 1797, for a botanical expedition to the Canaries and the West Indies, has lately returned to Dieppe with a large and curious collection of objects relating to natural history; after undergoing great hardships, and having been exposed to considerable dangers in her voyage. Sir Richard Strathan's squadron fell in with the above frigate and allowed her to pass, as he could not consider her a lawful prize. He would not however permit her to enter Havre, but ordered her for Dieppe.
THE GAZETTE.
Portland. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th, 1798.
Communication.
BUT there are yet heavier charges against the poor Jacobins, who must now be brought to a bar which is clad in deep mourning, for a crime which far exceeds whatever is subject to weight, measure and calculation, viz: the horrid but nameless crime against the moral system of the universe. What is the destruction of a city or province, the unprovoked and needless conquest of a kingdom, and even the extermination of half the human race? These things are but earthquakes, pestilence and famine. But having once entertained the vast ambition to enslave mankind, and finding that mere physical force aided only by established morals and religions, would not only be insufficient to the end, but awed by these would refuse to act; then to form the design of removing these impediments in the mind of man, and without compunction or remorse, amidst all the consequent horrors to proceed in the most deliberate and undeviating manner to its full and perfect execution—This is greatness, this is glory, in deference to which the prince of darkness will rise from his throne, and all hell fall prostrate on their faces, on the arrival of the French patriots from the edge of the guillotine, from the field of battle, from the dagger of assassination, or from Cayenne. To overthrow a moral, intellectual, and metaphysical empire is a task the greatness of which we have seen in the means it required—to restore it ages must pass away.
The great plan which Condorcet, Robespierre and others finally executed in France, had been conceived, its religious part by Voltaire, and its political by Rousseau. These gentlemen of the closet, in whose writings we see more the feelings of youth than the reflection of age, rather the enthusiastic apprehension of what man in society might be desired to be, than what he is or can be; in fine, more of wit and turn than solidity and sense, were first resorted to and deified when it became necessary to persuade the volatile French that they must be regenerated. On the one hand, monarchy was found to be an inveterate abuse and wholly unreasonable; on the other, religion was discovered to be nothing but folly and superstition; and no one were these novelties made public than the people greedily devoured them, overthrew the supposed abuses, and as Tom Paine says, "the monk and the monarch were left to rot and moulder together."—During some time there was no God acknowledged in France but what they called Reason , that is their own imaginations. They beheaded their King to get rid of monarchy, and banished God to shake off religion. Nay, they went farther, for morality might possibly still have remained—but this they abolished by declaring that all was lawful which tended to aggrandize what they called the Republic, and all was criminal that was idle or opposed. Thus all that had been sacred in government, religion, or morality, in fact even the politeness and whole character of the nation, were annihilated—and in their places came again of course what these things had gradually subdued or chastened, the whole gang of Gothic and Vandalic ferocities and follies. Thus were vindicated the noble " rights of man ," thus was perfected the elegant " age of reason ."
Was it or was it not incumbent on the Jacobins of this country to foresee the consequence of introducing this legion of devils among this happy people? Was it of no importance that an infant government, like ours, should be respected, instead of being vilified and abused in the most scandalous and detestable manner?—What have we not suffered by the contempt imported from France and thrown by our own people upon their own government in imitation of the scoundrel republicans of France?—How hard has it been for a virtuous Executive, the beloved Washington, alone and assailed on every side by French and Jacobin menaces and slander, to keep his post and save his country ! How nearly has our government been subverted!
But further—Were not our Jacobins under
some little obligation to imagine that the inundation from France would bear down the dikes of religion and morality, and drown the country with all kinds of error and vice?—They have idolized the pattern, and spread the imitation of it as wide as they can, till the force of religious and moral obligation is universally weakened or destroyed. Liberty gives the right of saying and doing as you please , in the same manner that Equality unnerves the hand of justice by enfeebling the energies of government. Is not the opinion of religion which this vile frenzy has suffered to survive, a shaken, doubtful, and comfortless opinion? And as to morals, since the French revolution began they have grossly declined, because politics were the first consideration and chief topic, and much was forgiven to all who believed and hoped the French would conquer the world.
How came these wretches to be so much wiser than all the world before, them? Do they know that all their miserable reformations in religion and politics have been advanced and refuted not only by argument but by the experience of mankind a thousand times, and even deluged some parts of the world in blood before now?—This last at least ought to be a satisfaction to them when they renounce their errors, because it evinces that the genuine tendency of their principles has never been wholly defeated. Governments and good sense have laboured in the modern ages against the disorganizing principle, and till the French revolution they have not laboured in vain. Nor will they now labour in vain; for probably the time is not far distant when this monstrous revolution, after having stalked over half the world, and inflicted the greatest curses on the human race, will cease to reform and to exterminate, and the philosopher will look back upon it as the surviving and benevolent soldier reviews the field of battle. Pity and remorse will take possession of his mind, and he will treasure up a lesson which will die with him, or be as useless to posterity as history has been to the present age. (TO BE CONTINUED.)
FOR THIS GAZETTE.
FOR the benefit of all persons unacquainted with the French language, I have undertaken to etymologize, define and compare the word Jacobin . This famous word is derived from the English; but, like many others in all living languages, has changed its orthography as well as its sound, though it retains its original meaning. Yet, considering its long use, it has preserved all three better than most other words; having stood its ground, with the variation only of its last syllable, for upwards of four centuries; as is plain to be seen in Mons. Paravot , and several other ancient writers. This syllable bin was for many years spelt and pronounced lin ; but in complaisance to M. Marat , who for some time, in point of language, led the fashion in France, and who it is well known, could not pronounce the letter L by reason of his having the tip of his tongue cut off when a boy, for lying—I say lin was then changed into bin . Lin itself (a thing common in that language) was an old corruption of lan , just as we say drap for drop . The syllable lin was the contraction of a word of two syllables (as we contract speculation into spec) viz. lantern . Thus Jac-o-bin ought in strictness, when brought back into our language, to be spelt Jac-o-lantern . No person who understands French will contradict this etymology; and no person who understands English will deny its being perfectly analogous.
Jack, in our language, ever had a great variety of meanings: among others is was formerly much used as a nickname for the devil (now changed into Nick and Harry .) Hence the word is easily defined—signifying nothing more nor less than The devil with a lantern . I have taken no notice of the omission of the letter K in the first syllable, because the French make no more use of that letter than of liberty, equality and justice.
I will now proceed to compare what we understand by a Jac-o-bin , with what we understand by a Jack-o-lantern ; not doubting but that I shall make them look so much alike as that it will be difficult to distinguish the one from the other. To save repetitions, I must first beg the reader to take particular notice as he goes along, and when he meets a dash thus _____ in that very spot to say to himself So is, or does, a Jacobin .
1. A Jack-o-lantern appears to be a permanent light, which would stand the twenty four hours round _____; but it exists only in thick darkness; for when the least light breaks in upon it, it immediately disappears. 2. It also appears to hover over one particular spot, as who should say "Here I am; here you will always find me" _____; but, trace it up to that spot, 'tis off; to another, 'tis gone; to a third, 'tis gone again; and so on ad infinitum. 3. To appearance it glows from innate purity _____; but in reality it twinkles (like a

purrid haddock) from its very filth ——— 4. It puts on the resemblance of a solid substance, like a carbuncle ——— ; but upon a scrutiny is found to be nothing but a mere fungus ——— 5. Apparently it is the legitimate offspring of the god of day, the sun ——— ; but in fact it is the bastard of a dunghill ——— 6. To a traveller it seems to say "Come follow me, I will lead you into the right path" ——— ; instead of which it leads him more and more astray ; and also leads him among briars, thorns and brambles ; over hills, dales and ledges ; through puddles, brooks and rivers ; and into swamps, bogs and quagmires, and there leaves him in the lurch ——— 7. To all appearance it is an angel of light ; but in reality it is an angel of darkness : in short it is the very devil all over ; and so, my good reader, is a Jacobin.
NOTO.
Aid the Distressed!
"We are sorry to inform our readers, that the fever still rages in Philadelphia. By the last accounts from that devoted city, 127 new cases had taken place the 24 hours preceding. This advice excited the selectmen of this town to propose on the morning of yesterday, to the ministers of the two congregational societies, and also to the Society of friends, to have a contribution for the relief of the poor, who are unable to flee from the city, which the board of health there, have publicly declared is the only way they can expect safety from the disorder. This proposal was cheerfully concurred in ; and in the afternoon the sum of 180 dollars was collected from the two societies first mentioned,* and 61 dollars from the Society of friends ; which sums were sent on by the mail which was made up the last evening.
"As some well-disposed persons had not opportunity to contribute yesterday they are informed that a box is lodged at the Insurance Office for the reception of any sums which they may be disposed to give ; which will be duly forwarded by the selectmen, in the same manner the above sums have been transmitted—viz. in a letter to the board of health, inclosed to the care of Joseph Haberham, esq. post-master-general."
* It is proper, however, to observe, that the minister of the Episcopal Church being absent, probably the members of that church attended these societies.
The Editor of the Philadelphia "TRUE AMERICAN," subjoins the following to the last address of the Health Committee of that city.
[We hope the above letter will rouse some of our exiled fellow citizens to active utility. The ills contained in it, far from being highly coloured, are but a faint picture of the abject misery and distress which pervade every part of our ill-fated city. But it is a subject of serious regret, that most of those who are now removed to places of safety, APPEAR to feel too little for the indigent thousands that still remain behind to gorge the insatiate maw of death.
It has been observed that the donations for the aid of the poor have been very trifling this year. As an apology, is alleged the general scarcity of cash, and the exorbitant demands of the people among whom our citizens have sought refuge. This may, in some measure, be true ; but, who that visits the towns near our city, and views the dissipation which exists there—who that beholds the billiard tables in those places crowded with Philadelphians, young and old—who that sees the money which is squandered there by every species of gaming, but must regret that it was not more sparingly, or at least applied to a nobler use.
Would the votaries of the present two fashionable amusements but consider for a moment, what superior gratification is afforded to the mind by the confusions of having snatched one fellow mortal from the yawning grave, or having afforded a single ray of comfort to the bed of sickness, surely the many miserable objects, now dying for want of sufficient medical aid, would not long remain so, and hundreds might yet be preserved, who have not the means of flying from the danger that every moment threatens them with destruction.
Come forward at least ye public spirited men. Be whose souls are not callous to the crying demands of suffering humanity, rouse yourselves to noble exertion—attend to the request which is made to you by the Board of Health, and the blessings of thousands, whose lives it is yet in your power to preserve, will rest on your heads, and, in the solemn hour of death, afford you the highest delight of which the human mind is susceptible.]
THE FEVER.
A Boston paper of the 12th inst. says, "It is with much regret that we are compelled to announce the fatal progress of a very malignant fever in the United States. In Philadelphia it
appears the most fatal. Since our last report there have died, Monday, Sept. 3 63 Tuesday, Sept. 4 65 Wednesday, Sept. 5 63 Thursday, Sept. 6 50 New cases on the 4th 32 by 24 physicians ; on the 5th 100 by 19 physicians ; and on the 6th 97.
In Newyork, there died, Monday, Sept. 3 19 Tuesday, Sept. 4 20 Wednesday, Sept. 5 18 Thursday, Sept. 6 19 Friday, Sept. 7 18
In Boston, the official report, on the 10th flood thus. Whole number now sick 29, of which 1 is on the recovery ; 5 have died since the return of the 7th.
Since the last return on the 10th inst four have recovered, three have died, and five new cases have occurred—twenty seven now remain sick, ten of whom are on recovery."
As some reports are circulated in the country that a contagious sickness is prevalent in this town, it is necessary to deny such reports, by assuring our country brethren, that no fever or contagious disorder whatever exists in this town—but on the contrary, that the town of Portland is in good state of health.
Infant Patriotism.
A martial spirit animates the youth of this town to a degree of enthusiasm. The formation of military companies is the rage of the day. As a striking proof of this, it is worthy of honorable mention, that a company of youths under 15 years of age, have put themselves under the tuition of General WADSWORTH. This attention of the General in fostering the laudable spirit of the American youth, is worthy of imitation by every military character in the Union.
The Bank of Pennsylvania has been robbed of from 100 to 150 000 dollars. The Governor has offered 1000 dollars reward for the robbers.
A Carleton paper states, that ROBERT G. HARPER, is appointed Commissary General.
The new boundary line between the United States and the Spanish territory has been run, and all is harmony between the officers of the two nations. The Indians in the neighbourhood of this line are quite pacific.
For the perusal of those who have net leisure to go into a calculation on the subject, the following statement is made of the tax on houses. It will be remembered, that the valuation is to include the building lot on which the house stands, not exceeding two acres, and out-houses. If these are valued at 100 dollars the tax is 20 cents. If
   D. D. C. D. D.     200 40 if 4000 20   300 60 — 5000 25   400 80 — 6000 30   500 1 00 — 7000 42   600 1 80 — 8000 48   700 2 10 — 9000 54   800 2 40 — 10,000 60   900 2 70 — 15,000 125   1000 3 — 25,000 225   2000 8 — 50,000 500   3000 12 —  
This may easily be made more particular by comparing it with the second section of the tax act. It appears, for the consolation of the poorer sort, that the palace worth 50,000 dollars is to pay five times as much in proportion to its value as the cottage that is worth only five hundred dollars.
In London, in July last, the Irish rebellion, from the many defeats which the insurgents had met with, was considered as entirely subdued.
Lord Cornwallis is ordering matters in Ireland much better than Camden did. Energy and humanity are orders of the day. Bad officers are replaced with good ones—and success attends their exertions.
The Swedish government has been necessitated to emit a Paper Currency. In detailing the causes which has produced the necessity, they say, it is partly to be attributed, "To the reclamations which the Swedes have made, in vain, to the French government, for the sum of 15,000,000 rix dollars, the amount of the ca-goes of the ships taken from them." If the Swedes had resented the fraternal squeezes of the French with American spirit, they would not have been left to make their idle reclamations ; or to deplore a situation the most degrading to a nation—that of emitting a paper medium.
Several articles prepared for this day's paper, are unavoidably omitted.
DROWNED —Mr. Amos Buckman aged 17, son of Capt. Jeremiah Buckman of Falmouth. He was in a fishing party, and was knocked over-board by the boom of the vessel.
Marine Articles. Port of Portland.
Tuesday arrived here, Capt. Robert Motley, late of the ship Rein Deer, belonging to Mr. James Deering of this town. She was captured by a French privateer of 16 guns, carried into the Westindies and condemned jans cere-
monie. The Captain was detained on board the Frenchman 12 days, exposed to insult and abuse.
SHIPWRECK.
Arrived at Northyarmouth on Wednesday last, the wreck of the brig Rebecca, Capt. Lee. She sailed from this port on the 6th ult. bound to Martinico—and on the 23d in lat. 55 0, long. 57 10, W. was dismasted and filled with water in a violent gale of wind. Nothing on deck or between decks was saved, except a barrel of bread and cask of water. The leaks were found and stopped after the gale moderated. Aug. 27 spoke the Schooner Aurora, Capt. Cowell. from Boston for Demarara, who furnished Capt. Lee with many necessary articles.
Capt. Lee spoke with the Schooner Moses, Capt. Rogers, of Wiscasset, on the 29th, 7 days out, all well.
Sept. 12, arrived at this port, sch. Martin, Capt. Roach, 24 days from Havanna. On his outward passage was captured by a British armed vessel, and sent in to New Providence, where they took from him about half his cargo, consisting of pitch, tar, turpentine, rosin and nails, which they deemed contraband of war. When captured the British took Capt. Roach's crew, and put on board people out of the privateers. He was detained at New Providence 19 days, and was then suffered to proceed with the remainder of his cargo to Havanna. Left Havanna with a fleet of 63 sail of Americans. In lat. 28, fell in with a British frigate of 44 guns, who took out of the fleet 3 vessels under Danish colours, and two Americans, one of whom was Capt. Small of Boston. Capt. R. left at Havanna, Capt. Edward Preble and Capt. Hathorn, both of Boston, expecting to sail in 20 days. English and French privateers were very numerous on that coast ; so that it was almost impossible to escape being captured, unless under convoy.
Three ships of war, belonging to the government of the United States arrived at the Havanna a few days before Capt. Roach left there. Officers and crews completely uniformed.
The fleet from Havanna was convoyed by American ships of war only. This is a pleasing proof that our navy increases with our danger.
The United States, of 44 guns Com. Barry ; and Delaware of 44 guns, Capt. Duceret, have been spoken in the latitudes of the Windward Island cruising for the protection of American trade.
The Herald sloop of war, Capt. Seaver ; and the Pickering armed brig, Capt. Chapman, were spoken Aug. 25th, all well.
The Constitution frigate, of 44 guns, Capt. Nicholson, was spoken with by two vessels arrived, at Salem last Thursday, on her cruising ground, between Sandy-Hook, and Cape Hatteras—all well.
FOR SALE, AT  Joseph Warren's Book-Store, Fifth-street, Portland,  PAPER, of all kinds, Paper Hangings, American Coast Pilot, 2d edition, largely improved, with Revenue laws, &c. Robison's Proofs of a Conspiracy. Sept. 10, 1798.
NOTICE
IS hereby given, that a further time of three months is allowed, by the Judge of Probate, to the creditors of the  Estate of Joseph Weeks, late of Portland, mariner, deceased, to bring in and prove their claims—And that the commissioners will attend for that purpose at the house of Mrs. Lois Weeks, on the fourth Monday of this, and the next month, from half after two to half after five o'clock. P. M. EBENEZER MAYO, } Commissioners. ISAAC GAGE, } Portland, 6th September, 1798.
To be Sold by PUBLIC AUCTION, On the 9th day of OCTOBER (if not previously sold at private sale) at Saccarappa Falls, in Falmouth,
A Dwelling House,
Convenient for two families ; with half an acre of good Land, and an excellent well of water. It is in a good situation for a merchant or mechanic.—The terms will be made easy to the purchaser. Apply to SAMUEL PIKE. Saccarappa, Sept. 8, 1798.
An Organ for Sale.
TO be sold, that small, but elegant toned ORGAN, now standing in the Episcopal Church in Portland. TO BE LET.
To a small and credible family, part of the Dwelling HOUSE now occupied by the subscriber in Portland. JOSIAH LEAVITT. Sept. 8, 1798.
Wanted Immediately,
A LAD, about 14 or 15 years old, who is acquainted with writing and arithmetic, to attend in a small store, and assist in a tavern. None need apply who cannot bring good recommendations.—Inquire at this Office, or of the subscriber at New Gloucester. N. JENKS. September 18, '98.
Stone Lime!
Jonathan Bryant, has for Sale at his Store and Lime kiln, fresh LIME, which he will warrant to be of the first quality. Portland, July 30.
Genteel Entertainment.
MRS. ANN HEYLIGER, At the sign of Washington & Franklin, near Clay Cove,
Has opened a house of genteel entertainment. Those gentlemen who may favor her with their company, shall receive every attention. Being long accustomed to this business, she flatters herself she shall be able to give general satisfaction, Portland, Sept. 10th.
JOHN DEERING, Has for sale at his Store, at the bottom of Fish-street, an assortment of  WEST-INDIA & HARD WARE  GOODS, and GROCERIES, among which are,
  Duck & Cor-  Buntings,    Iron and Steel,  Coffee Mills,    W. I. and N. E. Rum,  Sewing and Whipping    Brandy, Wine,  Twine,    Gin, Molasses,  Hammers, large & small,    Sugar, Rice,  Knives and Forks,    Flour, Cheese,  Pen & Ink-Knives,    Butter,  Spoons, Chisels,    Bohea Tea,  Gouges, Iron Squares,    Souchong Tea,  Paint and Tar Brushes,    Nails & Nails, of all kinds,  Mason's Trowels,    White Lead,  Hons, Fire Steels,    Whiting, Red Lead,  Flats Gun Locks,    Spruce Yellow,  Latches, Saws,    Spanish Brown,  Bang Boilers, Gimlets,    Vernis, &c.  Serers, Brushes,    Linseed Oil, Fish Oil,  Tin Ware of all kinds,    Coal & Scale, Fish,  Tim. Glasses of all sizes,    Bar Lead, Shot,  Earthen Ware of all kinds,    Powder, Indigo,  All-sec, Pepper,    Cotton, Coffee,  Allan Red Wood,    Locks and Hinges, of all kinds,  Log Wood, Coppers,    Screws, Brasses for Desks,  Cinnamon, Nutmegs,    Quadrants, Compasses,  Rasin, Chock-a-we,    Spy Glasses,  Win. Glasses, Tubers,    Cod Lines, Log Lines,  Spirits of Turpentine,     Tobacco, Drawing Knives,     Deep seed Lines, &c.   September 30, 1798.
Falmouth, Sept. 5th, 1798.  This is to give notice for the last time, in this way, to all persons who owe ANDREW PEEFEREL FROST, on Note, Bond or Account, to come and settle the same in FOURTEEN DAYS from this date—or he will put the Notes, Bonds or Accounts in suite, without further notice. ANDREW P. FROST.
THE nonresident proprietors of the several lots of land lying in the town of Poland, in the county of Cumberland, are hereby notified, that the same are taxed for the State, County and Town taxes, in the bills committed to me the Subscriber to collect, for the year 1797, in the respective sums following, viz.
   FIRST DIVISION.   No. Lots. No. Acres. State & County tax. Town tax.   Cts. M. Cts. M.     43 100 7 2 13 2   66 100 9 6 17 6   62 100 9 6 17 6   40 100 7 2 13 2   79 100 4 8 8 8   53 100 4 8 8 8   57 50 2 4 4 4   20 100 2 4 4 4   26 100 9 6 17 6   54 100 7 2 13 2   96 100 7 2 13 2   68 100 7 2 13 2   SECOND DIVISION.   65 100 9 6 17 6   21 100 9 6 17 6   3 100 2 4 4 4   7 100 4 8 8 8   142 100 4 8 8 8   148 100 7 2 13 2   106 100 4 8 8 8   145 100 9 6 17 6   96 100 2 4 4 4   30 100 7 2 13 2   56 100 7 2 13 2   141 100 7 2 13 2   23 70 6 2 12 2   85 100 9 6 17 6   89 100 9 6 17 6   128 100 2 4 4 4   153 100 9 6 17 6   107 100 4 8 8 8   135 100 9 6 17 6   127 100 2 4 4 4   93 100 2 4 4 4   110 100 2 4 4 4   129 100 2 4 4 4   111 100 2 4 4 4   15 100 7 2 13 2   31 100 4 8 8 8   62 100 9 6 17 6   105 100 2 4 4 4   17 100 7 2 13 2   44 100 4 8 8 8   58 100 4 8 8 8   76 100 2 4 4 4   6 100 2 4 4 4   144 50 4 8 8 8  
If no person shall appear to discharge said taxes and all necessary intervening charges, on or before the first day of October next, at 9 o'clock, A. M. so much of the said lots of land as will be sufficient to discharge the same, will then be sold at Public Auction, to the highest bidder, according to law, at the house of DANIEL JACKSON, Innholder, in said Poland. JOHN T. MERRILL, Coll. Bor. Poland, September 18, 1798.

[Continued from second page] are oppressive yoke of their magistrates. This same general has written to the Directory, that the magistracy of Fribourg had acquiesced in delivering up to him the city by capitulation, but were prevented from doing it for several hours, by armed peasants who entered, un- hindered over the government, and left no freedom in their deliberation."
It is painful to proceed in relating the rest of this military expedition, which has been one continued scene of destruction, of rapes, and above all of plunder, under the pretext that the neighbouring country around Berne was not included in the capitulation, which related to that place; the richest villages were abandoned to the soldiers, and the officers reserved to themselves the capital, which they despoiled with an avidity that surpassed the extortions of General Muffena in Italy. After having taken from the noble families, all that they possessed which was capable of being seized, they taxed them with enormous contributions; and in the just fear that they could not satisfy them, they arrested the principal members of those families, and sent them as hostages to Hunningen, and to Strauburg. One would have thought, however, that the French would have been satisfied with the capture of the public treasure, the wealth of which surpassed their hopes, since it has been valued at 600,000, sterling. This prodigious sum was the fruit of the economy of two centuries, and it would have been more than sufficient to have put the country in a respectable state of defence, if the government of Berne had been willing to open its eyes upon the dangers with which it was menaced. But such was, shall I say its want of foresight, or its parsimony, that it did not even think of preparing surgeons for its little army. And, surely, if it had made use of such a treasure, and divided it among such of the confederacy as were destitute of money, to prepare for the war, it is more than probable the war would have been avoided, as this treasure constituted the principal motive of aggression on the part of France.
The Directory, however, has not failed to declare that the aggressions of the governments of Berne and Fribourg, compelled their troops, coming from Italy, to enter these territories, and that the French army had recourse to arms only because it was attacked.
If, as I suppose, Sir, you have received in America, the debates of the two councils of France, you have seen that La Combe, Saint Michel, in the council of ancients, declared that the executive power had only repelled an unjust aggression, that the national cockade had been publicly insulted in Switzerland, and that so many encroachments had, doubtless, for a long time provoked a declaration of war on the part of France, but for the sacrifices they had continually made to preserve peace.
You will also have seen, that when they came to deposit the Swiss colours at the feet of the directory, their President, Merlin, answered the officers that brought them, that the French people had become, as it were, the providence of the political world.
After such impiety, and what you know of the French character, you will not be astonished that the successor of Barthélemy added to so many outrages, that of farcical, in ordering the Swiss, immediately after their defeat, to establish the liberty of the press, that liberty of which his masters openly boast that they have destroyed even the smallest remains.
To this irony, the directory added one not less cruel, an engagement to restore the ineffable Helvetic people to their former dignity. For some time it hesitated on the government it should dictate, wavering on the convenience either of preserving several small independent republics, or consolidating them into one. The latter opinion prevailed, and a formula was sent from Paris, which is nothing else but the copy of the French constitution, and which all the cantons and their allies, were ordered to accept, without the smallest modification. Hitherto several of the little cantons would not hear of any new organization, and showed themselves determined to preserve their own independence, and all their ancient forms.
Before they could have recourse to arms, they wrote to the French general "that the obligation of self defence could alone induce them to recur to this desperate expedient; that they possessed nothing but their liberty, no other riches but their flocks, and that they were ready to give to the French republic every pledge and every proof of devotion, consistent with their liberty and independence."
They were answered by an express order to consolidate immediately their independence with that of the new republic, one, indivisible, representative and democratic. But all these high sounding terms did not impose on this simple race of shepherds. As they had not abused their independence, they were unwilling to renounce it, and armed themselves to repel the French general. He has already began his march, and if he has not caused himself to be preceded by a manifesto, it is because he found it too difficult to name even the semblance of a grievance, and too absurd to pretend that it was his wish to overthrow aristocracy by marching against the cantons of Suisse, Uri, Unterwalden, the only cantons which now hold out. I doubt much if the General has the audacity to address to these three cantons the manifesto which he sent to the people of Berne, in which he has said "In vain do the nobles, the patricians, the oligarchs tell you, that they arm you for the cause of liberty. William Tell rises from his awful tomb. He exclaims to you, My children break your chains, your senators are your jailors, these Frenchmen are your brothers!"
Some persons flatter themselves, that in this struggle, personal courage will regain her rights, because the French will not be able to conduct in these rugged mountains, either their cavalry or their artillery, which have afforded them such great advantages over the army of Berne. But the descendants of William Tell, ought not to count upon their despair; and I will not disseminate to you, that I want the news of the first battle with so much the more anxiety, as the cabinets of the continental powers appear to look for the result of this contest with the same indifference, as for that of the revolt of the Pacha Palswan Oglu against the Porte. I add, not without the most sensible grief, that the greatest part of the people of Europe, seem to behold the expiring fight of Helvetic liberty, with the same stupid stare that the simple inhabitants of a village regard at a public show, the fictitious spectacle of a dwarf combatting a giant. I nevertheless except from this censure, all classes of the English nation, in whom this aggression has caused such an indignation against the French, and a sentiment of sympathy so general and so strong in favor of the unfortunate Swiss, that had their resistance been prolonged a few days, a subscription, truly national, would have been opened, to have enabled them to sustain so unequal a contest. I doubt not, Sir, that the news of their catastrophe has produced in America similar impressions. I well know that, even before this last dreadful event, your citizens, who at first offered to heaven their sincerest prayers that France might take her rank among free nations, have not been able to refrain from beholding as the most abominable tyranny, that which the revolutionists of the day dare to call by the sacred name of Liberty. The only consolation I experience, in the present moment, is in thinking on the three people who resist, with so much horror, the poisoned doctrines of the French: They are, in truth, the only three free people in the universe;—The little cantons of Switzerland, the people of Great Britain, ***** and those of the United States of America. Here I delight to repose myself on the idea! Homage and glory to real liberty! It behoves all those who are her true votaries, to tear the mask from those base imposters who have dared to seize on her standards, to blaspheme her name, and who would have made her odious, if ever true liberty could have been rendered so.
I believe I forgot to mention to you, that, before the attack of the Pays de Vaud, Mencaud, the new French ambassador, had exerted his utmost efforts to divide the members of the Diet, and to break the bond of the Helvetic union.
It succeeded only in regard to Basle, & there merely so far as to cause an insurrection of a part of the people, who seized on the arsenal on the 18th February, at the very moment when it was important to march to the relief of Berne, Fribourg, and Soleure. The revolutionists of Basle, who, at the same time possessed themselves of the government, recalled their representatives from the Diet, and persuaded themselves that, by so signal a service, they had insured their claim to the everlasting gratitude of France. But I leave you to judge of their surprise, when, having reclaimed a certain quantity of brass that they possessed in the arsenal of Berne, and which they presumed the French had taken by mistake, Mengaud answered them on the 12th March, "that he begged leave to congratulate them upon the attention which they paid to every thing that related to their own interest, without feeling the least anxiety about the cares and solicitudes of the French republic, and without considering that his troops have more need than they of the articles reclaimed for the conquest of freedom, and the maintenance of the Helvetic republic."
This was not all; for a few days after, this same Mengaud brought forward another affair that had been long since settled; relating to the citizens of Basle, against whom France pretended she had reasons of complaint, and who had suffered a verdict, with which Mr. Barthélemy had declared himself satisfied. His successor affected to consider this verdict as an act of derision, demanded a new hearing of the cause, and added, that he could not conceal, that he should consider as their accomplices every person who should dare to raise a voice in their favour."—It was to this message that the new national assembly of Basle answered, by laconically demanding if they were to understand by these words, the perions of the witnesses and of the lawyers.
It is evident that a sentiment of indignation and rage, forced from the Ballois this reply—and I should not be astonished if the remorse which they have experienced from seeing their confederation betrayed, should carry them, very soon, to display the first signal of repentance and vengeance. Sooner or later the insurrection must burst out. Never will France be able to restrain the general despair of the Swiss, but by a numerous army. They are too much exhausted to pay such an army, and the country cannot furnish its subsistence; whenever this army becomes enfeebled, or removes to a distance, the Swiss will know how to regain their independence. Altho they are, for the greatest part, vanquished, divided, plundered, and disarmed, it is out of the power of France to subjugate them, and if she does not succeed in destroying their morals and national character, liberty will again spring from her ashes.
[*] Here ends all that relates to Switzerland—The remainder is another picture of French perfidy, in which Geneva is a second time the victim.
ALAS, POOR GENEVA!
However long this letter may appear, I cannot prevail on myself to finish it without speaking
you of the deplorable fate of Geneva, in which I see you still interest yourself, in spite of the crimes committed in 1794. It is very true that those were more the crimes of France than of the people of Geneva, who disavowed them, as far as depended upon them, by revoking all the revolutionary judgments, by discarding from public employments those who had concurred in them, and by re-establishing a sort of calm, during the whole interval which was afforded by the interruption of the disorganizing projects of the French directory.
In Feb. last, when the troops of Gen. Menard entered the Pays de Vaud, & advanced against Berne, they had no immediate interest in seizing on Geneva, much less had they any pretext since it was completely municipalized, according to the orders it had received. The Genevans forgot then, their past calamities, to weep over those which threatened the rest of Switzerland. The only personal fear which they could then entertain was that of seeing themselves incorporated with the great republic, who might be desirous of some strong hold to keep Switzerland in check. But I never apparant the danger was, they consoled themselves, on receiving the proclamation of Gen. Brune, dated 10th March, wherein he rejects as a signal, calumny, the supposition of a project to conquer any part of Switzerland. "No," says the general, "the French republic wishes to appropriate to herself nothing which belongs to the Helvetic confederacy."
A denial so formal calmed the most suspicious Genevans, and they mutually reproached themselves for having given way to such unjust suspicions of the views of the directory towards them, when Desportes, the French resident at Geneva, desired a confidential interview with those citizens who stood highest in the public opinion, to whose consideration he submitted the signal advantages they would derive from being incorporated with the Great Nation. Observe the same turn of phrase is preserved, which the agents of the directory adopted three months before with the American ministers, that France did not make the demand, but thought it would be more delicate that the offer should come from them.—Desportes added, that if they had the wisdom to enter into his views, and to anticipate his wishes, in expressing it as their own voluntary and spontaneous desire, he was authorised to grant to them the most advantageous conditions—among others, exemption from all military requisitions during the present war, the preservation of their worship, of their academy, of their hospitals, and of their property, individual and national, &c.
The citizens to whom he addressed himself, might indeed have demanded upon what ground the French republic was likely to have a more sacred regard for this second treaty than for the promises which she had formerly made, never to make any attempts on their political independence. Promises to which she had given the greatest solemnity and publicity by suspending the standard of Geneva by the side of that of the United States of America. But they contented themselves with requiring from him an explanation of the nature of those dangers to which the refusal would expose them. "I will not disseminate," replied he, "that Geneva would be treated as a state against which France has heavy causes of complaint."
Their consternation was at the highest extreme; but the danger of the moment united citizens of all parties; not one voice was heard to comply with the desire of France; and the assembly of the people appointed a commission, composed of all the magistrates indiscriminately, to deliberate on measures for saving the republic; unanimous in the resolution of defending the independence of their country, and above all, never to make the sacrifice voluntarily.—These commissioners resolved to accede to all the others, excepting that one; such was the tenor of a note, in which they answered, to the Resident of France, towards the end of March, "the disposition of the people of Geneva to enter into every arrangement which might be agreeable to the Great Nation, with one single reserve, a reverse of which they alone could properly appreciate the value, that of their political independence." The Resident, enraged at this note, which was in effect, a solemn protest, redoubled the measures of rigour for the blockade of Geneva, which, since the occupation of Savoy, is surrounded on every side by the French territory. He went farther; he informed the inhabitants, that if they did not choose to negotiate with good grace with him, they might treat with the victorious army then at their gates. As they had declared to him beforehand that they would not have recourse to any physical resistance against open force, but that they would prefer the peril of such an attempt to the disgrace of erasing themselves from the number of Sovereign and Independent States, this menace neither intimidated nor disunited them. It is truly remarkable, that at this period, when it was not to be supposed that the resentments arising from their political dissensions were quite extinguished, and under the distress of a blockade, which ruined the lower class of people, by raising the price of provisions, the fear of becoming Frenchmen, and the ardour to remain Genevans, were such, that not a voice was raised, not a whisper heard, to suggest a wish of union with France.
For some few days the Genevans had a gleam of hope. Letters were received from Paris, which stated, that the conduct of the Directory was universally censured (even by the Jacobin party) that every one there blamed this scandalous abuse of power against the first state in Europe, which had acknowledged the French Republic, the first with whom it had made a Treaty of Peace, the first who revolutionized itself to please France. They added, that the last terms of shame would restrain the Direc-
tory, that all the members did not agree on the expediency of this attempt, and that Geneva would be yet saved, if she could succeed without a rupture, to reach the end of the Presidency of Merlin.
Was it Merlin who suggested this indirect mode of treating with Geneva, for the same purpose as with the captors of the American vessels? Of this I am ignorant, but he ought to have known that the Genevans were completely ruined since the bankruptcy of the Great Nation under the faith of which they had placed their fortunes in the public funds of France. Their nominal independence, if one may so call it, was the only thing they had left them, and even if they had been in a state to purchase its preservation it was too evident that the first pecuniary sacrifice made on this account would have been the preface to the payment of a tribute, which it would be necessary to repeat as long as there were avaricious men at the head of the Directory, or the French ministry. Be this as it may the resident Desportes, began to assume more and more a threatening tone; altho only one month had passed since the negotiation had commenced, he complained with their amusing him with delays, and of their daring to treat with him, a la Walmsbury . His complaints produced no more effect than the efforts by which he endeavored to divide the parties, and rekindle certain passions not quite extinct, the people remained unshaken in their refusal; they highly approved the resistance of their commissioners, and renewed their powers on Sunday, 15th April.
While they were peaceably assembled in the Great Church, and proceeding according to the mode prescribed for the completion of the above business, three columns of French troops presented themselves at the gates, as if intending to pass the Rhone, which they had frequently done, on other occasions. This time instead of passing through the city, they established themselves in it, seized upon the military posts, and placed private sentinels in every street, to cut off all communication. It was not till six o'clock in the evening that they permitted, or rather that they ordered, the commissioners to assemble. This body no longer hesitated to decree that it was time to treat of the reunion of Geneva with France, and the Resident wrote the next day to Paris, that Geneva was in the height of joy and happiness, and that the Genevan branch was ready to figure on the French fasces.
There is one anecdote which is worthy of being preserved, and ought to serve as a lesson to the jacobins of all Countries. The first act of authority of the French Generals, on entering Geneva, was immediately to repair to two clubs of Genevan jacobins, and to dissolve their societies. You will comprehend the cause, Sir, when I mention, that these Revolutionists, who had not ceased for six years to exult in the principles, the victories, and the magnanimity of the great Nation, shewed themselves to be the most desperate, in their resistance, when they saw that their own Country was doomed to be the victim of these principles, and as the jacobins possess every where, an eminent degree of energy, they would have been disposed to redeem their past delusions and their crimes, by flying to arms—and sacrificing themselves in a resistance which could have been of no avail. The Resident of France, apprehensive of the consequences of their despair, offered to the party oppressed in 1794 to avenge them of the innocent blood which had been shed at that epoch. But they rejected this offer on recollecting that no blood had been shed but by the express order of the Resident Sonlaire, the predecessor of him, who now proposed to them to demand an account of it.
Whatever may be the cause, the members of these jacobin clubs, are hitherto the only Genevans who have experienced the least personal vexation on the part of the French army. Their consternation is that of rage, while that of the other citizens is gloomy, concentrated and silent.
I have just received the treaty of reunion, signed at the point of the French bayonet; and as to which the Councils of Paris will doubtless ratify at this moment, as an act perfectly free; the following is the first article:
"The French republic accepts the will of the citizens of the republic of Geneva, for their reunion with the French people."
"The French government considering that the undernamed, I. Millet Du Pan, I. D. J. Vernex and I. A. Duroveray, have publicly written and intrigued against the French republic, declares that they never can be admitted to the honour of becoming French citizens."
I need not tell you, Sir, how much I glorify in seeing my name distinguished by this brilliant reprobation in the death warrant of my unhappy country.
I am informed, that the second part of the article delayed, for several days, the conclusion of the Treaty; and, that it was not without difficulty that my fellow-citizens obtained that they should be inserted not in their name but in that of France, and as one of her wishes. Alas! They have, however, but too much reason to reproach me for having negotiated and signed the Treaty in 1792, which disarmed Geneva and Switzerland, and which so promptly violated the employers of Gen. Montesquieu. However honorable this Treaty was in itself, I shall never pardon myself for having trusted a single moment to the punic faith of the French Revolutionists.
I am Sir, with respect, your very obedient and very humble servant,
I. D. J. VERNOIS.
May 28, 1798.
Printed by E. A. Jenkins, Portland.