The Sun.
London, England, 1831-04-05 00:00:00

NEUTRALITY OF SWITZERLAND.

AUSTRIAN NOTE.
TO THE AVOYERS AND COUNCIL OF STATE OF THE

CANTON OF LUCERNE, THE PRESENT DIRECTORY OF

THE SWISS CONFEDERATION.

The undersigned Chance!tor of Court and State of his
Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty has received the
despatch of the nth January, by which their Excellencies
the Avoyers and Coined of State of the Canton of Lu-
cerne, the present Directoty of the Swiss Confedeiation,
communicated to him the declaration which emanated on
the 22d of December from the extraordinary Diet assembled
at Berne.

The neutrality of Switzerland was declared, sanctioned,
and guaranteed by the subscribing Powers to the act of
the Congress of Vienna, who thereby gave to the Confedera-
tion an unequivocal proof of their benevolent interest.
The Austrian Cabinet found, during recent communica-
tions with the Directory, the opportunity of recapitulating
the engagements which subsist in this respect, and
the entire value of which it recognized. In this
state of things, and while no political war troubled
the repose of Europe, but on the contrary the will
of all the Powers was declared for the maintenance
•of peace, it was impossible, without astonishment, to
perceive the solicitude for the conservation of the
precious benefit of neutrality, which ought to diffuse in
Switzerland only calmness and tranquillity, producing a
solemn declaration of that very neutrality—which decla-
ration not being called for by any apparent motive, as-
sumes, by its spontaneousness, a character of distrust
almost offeniive to the neighbours of the confederation.
*fhis astonishment was augmented by the measure, equally
gratuitous and onerous on the part of the Cantons, of a
considerable armament,—an armament which was neither
occasioned nor justified by any imminent danger, nor by
any menacing demonstration on the part of the neighbour-
ing states, but which cannot tail to infuse disquietu,le and
agitation into the minds of the peaceful people of Swit-
zerland.
The frankness of these observations can only be re-
garded by the Confederation as a new proof of the sincere
interest which the Emperor has at all times taken in, that
body. With the constant solicitude which that interest
inspires, his Imperial Majesty will constantly repel every
attempt to compromise the neutrality of SWitzerland, or.
to interfere in its internal affairs, and the sincerity of his
intentions does not permit him to entertain any doubt of
the reception which the present overture will obtain from
Magistrates invested with the duty of watching over the
most important interests of their country.
The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to
offer to the Avilyeis and Council of State of the Canton of
Luc me the assurances of his high consideration.

Vienna, Alarch 6.

(Signed) METTERNICH.

ANSWER OF THE SWISS DIET TO AUSTRIA.
The Avoyers and Council of State of the Canton of Lu-
cerne, the present Directory of the Concederation, have re-
ceived the note which his Highness, Prince Metternich,
Chancellor of Court and State to his Imperial and Royal
Apostolic Majesty, addressed to them under the date of
the tith of March, 1831, in reply to that of the sth of
January, which accompanied the declaration of the Diet
of the 27th of December, 1830, and they have hastened
to communicate the same to the Deputies of the Swiss
Cantons, assembled in an extraordinary Diet.
On perceiving in the note of his Highness a recapitula-
tion of the solemn treaties by which the Powers have
acknowledged and guaranteed the neutrality of Switzer-
land,--on receiving from his Imperial and Royal Majesty
fresh assurances that he recognizes all the value of those
treaties, and that he entertains a constant solicitude for the
interests of Switzerland,--all the members of the Federal
Assembly experienced the sentiment of a sincere gratitude,
and they beg of Prince Metternich that he will be plead
to be the organ of the expression of that gratitude to his
august Sovereign.
But while suck is the sentiment which the note of his
Highness has impressed on the Diet, it is not without
much regret that they perceive, in the same note, that their
declaration of the 22d December, 1830, had given origin
_respecting. the real intentions of Switzerland—to doubts
which that act ought not to have excited.
Considerable armaments have taken place and are in
progress in the countries adjacent to Switz+ rland. Not'
withstanding the desires of the great Powers, and their
efforts to preserve the peace of Europe, the chances of a
crisis cannot be di,guised. Such is the character of the
epoch in which the Diet has declared the maintenance 01
a strict neutrality, and the employment, with the view of
making that right be respected, of all the means in its
lower ; and, also, that it will not call the Swiss to arms
except for protecting their frontiers from every external
attack, front whatever quarter that attack may conic.
The attack which the Conferation assumed was com-
manded by its dearest interests, it was conformable to the
views of the great Powers, who, in the act of the 20111 of
November, 1815, recognize.] the neutrality and inviola-
bility of Switzerland, as well as its independence from all
Gireign influence to be objects within the true interests of
the policy of all Europe. Without preparations propor-
tioned to the serious nature of the circumstance, Switzer-
!and might find herself delivered up to the chances of a
very uncertain futurity, and it was the duty of the Diet to
provide without delay for rendering promptly disposable
all the military forces of the Confederation.
All the peo?de of Switzerland ardently desire the main-
tenance of peace. They bless the efforts of the Sovereigns
for preserving to humanity the most precious of benefits,

POSITION OF VIE lIIISsIAN ARMY IN
• POLAND:

A correct idea is not generally entertained of the
situation of this army. 'The plan of the Russian
Commander has signilllv failed. He had reckoned
on the continuance of the ice during the months of
February and March, and thought, therefore, that he
could easily trahspott 'his7atmy and its immense
materiel over the Vistula aiid Bug, and traverse the
marshes with tU.: same facility. The sudden thaw
has destroyed these expectations ; and the deter-
mined resistance of a handful of brave men has

......
placed the Russian army, surrounded as it is by
swamps and marshes,'in the most difficult situation
imaginable. After the brilliant actions in the end of
February, the Polish army repassed the • Vistula,
whilst the enemy was,unable to offer any interrup-
tion to this movement, notwithstanding the immense
numerical superiority of the Russians. In fact,
General Diebitsch wAs unable to manceavrey in such

marshy ground, bralten- up by the melting of the
snow, the columns of an army harrassed by fatigue,
the men, and particularly the horses, of which were
without sufficient food for some days. It is now
admitted on all hands, tha. the Russians are suffer-

ing, from the scarcity of provisions. If the theatre
of war were Bavaria, Wurtembcrg, or Saxony,
which are fertile countries, intersected with good
soads, where constant communication might be kept
up, the belligerents might' effect their movements,
sure of being followed by their convoys, and to find
in other respects, from the resources of the country
itself, subsistence for their men and horses. It is
quite different, however, in Poland, and particularly
nn the right bank of the Vistula, where there are
immense marshes and lakes. The following state-
ment -represents, in Polish miles, each about two-
thirds of u hectare, the extent of the lakes and
marshes :—The Palatinate of Augustow, by which
the Russian army entered Poland, contaMs 28,350
acres of lakes, and 71,340 of marshes. The Pala-
tinate of Pluck, in which the army is now ma-
uceuvring, has 1,680 acres of lakes, and 20,550 of
marshes. The Palatinate of Warsaw, in which the
battles of February were fought, contains 2,280
acres of lakes and 8,550 of marshes. The Pak-
tinates of Augustow, Hook, and Podlachia, occupied
by the Russian army,-are thus the least fertile and
thinly inhabited, owing certainly to the warst!), and
watery nature of the soil. - The same remark ap-
plies to the small portion of the Palatinate of -War
saw, which is situate. on the right bank of the Vis-
..
tula, and which extends; to the Bug. The Russian
army has, it - would:apssear•from this, taken up its
position- at a distance of.stxty or eighty leagues from
Bialystock and Gratin°, in which its principal ma-
gazinss are, and in the country wliete you may
travel four or five Itagues .thout mting en a
village—withoutwi passable roarl,—sur-
ve
misetable
rounded by marshes, and in the midst of a hostile
population. Supposing that it had formed inter-
mediate depots of provisions and forage, stationed
at only five daysjourney from the army,- let us cal-
culate the enormous, materiel necessary for bringing
the daily subsistence to the troops. The total force
emisists, it is said, of 200,000 men, including over
20,000 cavalry. The consumption of each man
being estimated at two pounds weight daily, in corn
or other substances, and a half pound being allowed
for, m
the qusrtr of a pint of. spirits, withont which
the Russian soldier cannot fight, it follows that the
total
is% 'e!-:,0o q hotof provisions for one day, for 200.000
men, uintals,aud'far five days 25,000 quin-
taei
the rransport of which would require 1,250
waggons cr carriages, drawn by four horses each.
The same number of carriages must regularly return
empty, 50 t hat in fact 2,500 carriages, and 10,000
horses, would be necessary for the conveyance of
the
supplies. The procuring of forage for the
y hembarrassing.orsesa Independently of
Id the waggon horses.
guns and 400 carriages, and above 5,000
lotrthere are at least 5,000 artillery horses, for a park
fler4sec2:ool,so(slotill
ema
‘o,
horses of the staff officers of the regiments. Fifteen
thousand horses are necessary for drawing from 4,000
to 5,000 carriages, containing the daily forage, make-
ing a total of 50,000 horses. Each horse consumes
at least eighteen pounds weight daily in hay and oats
that is 9,000 quintals in each day, and 45,000 gain-
tals in five days. It would require 2,250 carriages
to bring that weght of forage from the nearest depot,
whilst the same number of carriages would be on
their way back empty, making altogether 4,500
carriages necessary for this second service. It may
well be conceived what confusion would have been
even occasioned,
during
the fret, by the constant
passage of 7,000 carriages through the bad roads,
on the right bank of the Vistula, to secure from day
to they the very existence of
the army, which was
represented as so formidable; but since the thaw
these roads must be actually impassible, and the
Russians must be reduced to• starvation. Their pre-
sent position, therefore, is
not
tenable ; and any re-
inforcement of troops ill only increase their distress.
Should (leneral
' t-ch. effect immediately the
crossing of the Vistula,
lnear Plock, as some imagine
he wishes to do,
u find on the left batik of the
river a sandy e
Polish
army
willo iditoub
ryand more fertile soil but the
organise on that
account
take
radvantageofit, and
as the nature of .tilite a
country
e formidable re-
sistance,untry will leave them
free to make their
cannot attempt the
passage of the liver except at
evident di dsa vantage.—Le Temps.

In the event of a dissolution of Parliatnent,
Mr. BINGHAM BARING, it is said, will oppose the re-
election of the Duke of BUCKINGHAM'S Member for Win-
chester.

It is said that the QUEEN, the Princess of
Hesse Hommitc, and the Duke and Duchess of GLOU-
CES E'ER, are all unfriendly to the Ministers' Reform Bill;
and that Etrl JERSEY, whose lady is attached to her
Jesrr's Household, has expressed his apprehensions of its
danger to his MAJESTY...-. Observer.

-• •
If there be no way of procuring for the in.
habitants of the metropolis pure water except by filtration,
it is obvious that the object would be inure effectually ob-
nined by private filters in each house than by any who'e-
sale underground process, the effect of which may be in
many instances defeated before the liquid reaches the do-
mestic cistern.

chapel, built at his expence under their sanction, for
forty yea-s. An Act had been lately introduced by
the Bishop of London, purporting to be an amend- '
ment of the .sth of Georg IV., which after setting
forth the conditions upon which private individuals
should be permitted to build churches, provides that
the Commis:ioners, with the concurrence of the
Ordinary, may empower the builders of such churches
to present incumbents to them for forty years. If
this Act passed into a law, it would have art inju-
rious effect on the Protestant religion, as it would

throw impeliznents. in the way of .charitable indivi-
duals, who felt dispo-ed to expend money for the
accommodation of persons who wished to go to
church. .There were millions of persons in this
country, who did not attend divine service on Sune
days for want of accommodation. Was it then
proper to throw obstructions in the way of benevo-
lent individuals, who felt disposed!o build churchi s?
For what person would go to the expense of build-
ing a church, if he did not previously feel secure
that he could present an incumbent to it ? Ac-
cording to the Bill now before the House, the Bishop
might refuse his concurrence after the church we,
built. The obstructions heretofore in the way of
building churches wer:, sufficiently great without in-
creasing them ; for, on account of the negligent
manner in which the Commissioners transacted bu-
siness, persons applying for porn's-ion to build
churches could scarcely obtain it within two years.
To render the Act effectual, it should state the con-
ditions on which individuals might build churches,
without imposing any other restrictions than merely
a compliance with such conditions. Mr. Gordon
concluded by moving certain resolutions condemna-
tory of the Act in question.
Mr. WHITE, in seconding the resolutions, did not
wish to interfere with the ecclesiastical arrangements
of the Church of England,—the object of the meet-
ing was to give persons willing to build churches as
much encouragement as possible, whet eas the Bill
alluded to threw obstacles in their way. It was by
giving such encouragement that our Popish woces-
tars had built the numerous cathedrals which orna-
mented this country. It was not by acting on
High Church principles, that religion was best cul-
tivated; the Macadamising of the population, ce-
menting them together, as if dove-tailed, was the
Vast way to promote Christianity.
Mr. DRUMMOND observed that the provisions of

the Bill were framed from beginning to erns with
pertinacious ingenuity. It was by such conduct on
the part of the heads of the Church, that the
people were induced to btcome Dis-enters. He
had himself reluctantly assisted in building two
Dissenting Chapels, being better pleased that the
people should go to such places of worship than go
nowhere. Were it not for that folly, the sums

voted for building churches, while Lord Bexley was
Chancellor of the Exchequer, might have been -
as red ; for :hew were individuals enough willing to
build churches, if no obstacles were thrown in their
way. lle knew no act that bro:ight more censure
on the Protestant Church than this. If the Bishops
were jealous of laymen having the power of nomi-
nating incumbents, why did they not bring in a Bill
to prevent it ? Were there not thousands of
livings offered every (lay for sale ? All he wanted
was, that the Bishop should not have the power of
suspending a clergyman for performing divine ser-
vice in churches but by private individuals. He
did not wish to interfere with vested rights.
The Rev. Mr. CLNNINGHAIK felt satisfied that
the Commissioners would give every facility that
was consistent with propriety for the building of
churches, and that was the object of the Bishop of
London in introducing this Bill. Though Mr.
Drummond denied any wish to interfere with vested
rights, yet the building of churches would cer-
tainly diminish the amount of the Easter offerings
to the Rector; for those who previously made an
offering of a guinea would not give that sum if they
frequented the new church instead of the parish
church.. He felt convinced that a Bill with pro-
visions such as the !meting desired, would not pass
in the linuse of Lords.
Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting
against the Bill, and it was unanimously agreed that
a petition be presented to Parliament expressive of
their object and against the Bill.