The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 1867.

20th of December formal propositions, which in the
course of negotiations assumed the following shape :
As the Neuchatel affair has hitherto been merely the
object of isolated proceedings on the part of the diffe:-
ent legations' all the chiefs of the missions who reside at
Berne have deemed it proper to take a collective step,
addressing themselves to the Federal Council, for the
purpose of giving it, in concert, the positive assurance
that the instant the Federal authorities shall have, in
virtue of their rights of sovereignty, ordered the imme-
diate and complete annulling of the legal proceedings,
their respective governments will use their most zealous
good offices towards inducing his Majesty the King of
Prussia to accede to an arrangement in the sense of re-
cognising the absolute independence of Neuchatel of
every foreign claim.
An attentive examination of these overtures gave us
the conviction that we had no reason for rejecting them;
for on the one hand the concurrence of all the Powers,
which they allowed us to look for, and especially that of
the Powers which signed the London protocol, ought
to have great weight in the scale to the advantage of
Switzerland ; and that concurrence was for Switzerland
a serious assurance, that she really might attain the
object proposed. On the other hand it was a point of
great importance that the proposition expressly ack-
nowleged Switzerland's rights of sovereignty, since, as is
well known, it had been wished to contest the jurisdic-
tion of the Confederation over the Naucnatelese
prisoners.
The acknowledgment of that jurisdiction was made
in term, which excluded all dispute touching the right of
Switzerland, to whom all latitude was left to make such
use of it as to her might seem to her fitting, since the
proposition merely and simply gave it to be understood,
that the powers were willing to employ their good offices
provided Switzerland, acting in virtue of her sovereign-
ty, would declare the legal proceedings annulled.
Finally, we have to notice as a favourable circum-
stance, and very opportune for Switzerland, the fact
that the legation of the United States of North America
declared itself ready to join in these collective assurances.
We consequently declared that we were ready to pro-
pose to the Federal Assembly that it should decree, in
virtue of the sovereignty of the Swiss Confederation, as
follows

1. The legal proceedings on account of an insurrec-
tionary attempt at Neuchatel on the 2d and 3d Sept.,
of the present year are annulled.
2. The prisoners now in detention are set at liberty ;
nevertheless (for the sake of order) they will have to
quit the canton until a definitive arrangement of the
Neuchatel question shall have occurred.
It is a matter of course that the legations which pre-
sented this proposition had to ask their respective go-
vernments previously for full powers formally to present
their collective note.

We here fulfil an agreeable duty in expressing our
sincere gratitude for the friendly sentiments displayed in
these conciliatory propositions, and for the good will
which several of the foreign diplomatic representatives
have evinced in their efforts for drawing up the collec-
tive note.

The steps that followed had not the desired result.
Tha collective note has not been drawn up, because
some of the powers have considered they ought to re-
fuse th 3 authorisation to acquiesce in it, which had been
asked of them.

We ought also to say a few words respecting the
steps we have taken with a view to secure for the Con-
federation the financial resources it might in any even-
tuality require. It was an imperative duty for us to
devote to this object the most serious attention, since
the military preparations could have no value whatever
without the necessary resources.
We may now inform you that we have the prospect of
contracting abroad a loan of 12 millions, on tolerably
advantageous conditions. Our financial department,
moreover, is charged to examine other plans for con-
tracting a second loan. Certainly we could not defini-
tively conclude s. loin, since, by the terms of the con-
stitution, that right apper,:ains solely to the Legislative
Councils. Bat, as you see, the preparatory steps have
been taken. For the rest, we leave it entirely to your
just appreciation.

. .
We have now given a fair account of all the negotia-
tions. You see ttat the aspect of the matter remains
unchanged. Prussia demands the preliminary anduncondi-
tional liberation of ;12e prisoners ; we, oa our side, declare
ourselves still willing to abandon the trial, provided the
independence of Neuchatel be declared at the same time,
or, at least, guarantees given to us that it will be so.
We cannot and rrust not relinquish this condition with-
out compromising the right of a free constitution and
the sovereign rights of the Confederation. We confi-
dently leave to you the appreciation of our conduct, cer-
tain that impartial history will one day render us justice.
Permit us to give you again a summary view of the
different phases through which the negotiations have
passed.
The Prussian Legation demanded at first the libera-
tion previously to any further proceedings, and then the
unconditional discharge of the Neuchatelese prisoners ;
at a later period that measure was recommended by the
French legation. We answerel that we were ready to
propose the liberation demanded, the instant a positive
assurance should be given to us concerning the absolute
independence of Neuchatel.
Tne offers of mediation by England, which we have
minutely described in this message, form the second
phase of the negotiations.
We declared our readiness to accept these propositions;
but they were not communicated to Prussia, because it
could be foreseen that her answer would be in the nega-
tive.

In the third phase of the affair, France demanded the
release of the prisoners, engaging in return to do her
best to obtain from the King of Prussia a renunciation
of his claim.

We do not think we could accept this proposition, for
the reasons set forth in this message.
In the fourth phase of the negotia'ions, Prussia de-
mands the unconditional I.beration of the prisoners,
declaring that in that case she would be ready to enter
into -negotiations.

We rerly that we are equally ready to negotiate, bu
that we cannot consent to the preliminary and uncon.
ditional release of the prisoners.

I❑ the fifth phase of the matter we are endeavouring
to enter into direct ►.egotiation with Prussia ; but that
power refuses to to do so, so long as the preliminary
release of the prisoners shall not have taken place.
The sixth phase of the question is distinguished by the
projected "collective note," which we were willing to
take as a basis of negotiation, but it came to nothing in
consequence of the opposition made by certain powers.
We shall eonclude our report, and return into your
hands the settlement of this grave and important ques-
tion. Nevertheless, for the sake of dissipating every
kind of doubt, and giving a solemn contradiction to all
rumours of the contrary, we declare in the most formal
manner that the Federal Council has been unanimous
upon all the principal questions, and that all its resolu-
tions have been taken with the same unanimity.
May the same unanimity crown your deliberations
❑ow !
May God bless your resolutions, and protect our
dear country !
We submit the following project of a decree for
your adoption, in conformity with the propositions
that we have the honour of presenting to you.
The Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confedera►ion,
after having heard the report of the Federal Council,
Decrees :
1. The Federal Council will still continue to en-
deavour as hitherto to procure a pacific solution of
the Neuchatel question by every means compatible
with the honotir and dignity of Switzerland, and which
is of a nature to procure the recognition of the inde-
pendence of Neuchatel f^orn all f ireign ties.
2. The military levies ordered by the Federal Council,
awl the other measures of safety taken by it are approved.
It IS authorised to take any ulterior measures deemed
necessary to defend the country to the last extremity,
ha case an honourable and pacific solution cannot be
obtained.
An unlimited credit is allowed to meet all expenses..

3. The Federal Council is auLhorised to negotiate
and conclude on account of the Confederation one or
more loans to an amount not exceeding 30,000,000 f.
4. The Federal Council is charged to communicate
these propositions through the proper channels to the
people of the Swiss cantons. When they have been
adopted, the Commander-in-Chief
will be named.
The Federal Council finally expresses the wish that
the Federal Assembly, after having terminated its de-
liberations, may be not dissolved, but simply prorogued.
In the name of the Swiss Federal Council,
STARKrimr, President of the Confederation.
Scums, Chancellor of the Confederation.
Berne, December 26, 1856.