The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-26 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

The Federal GAIT:eII of Switznland has addressed
the following circular to the Governments of all the
C_sntons, and more especially to those of the fron-
tiers :

" Berne, 15th February.
-"Faithful and dear Confederates,—Several journals
have announced that some powers, among others Aus-
tria and Prussia, aro concentrating troops destined to
march against Switzerland, and even to invade it, in
order to wrest Irons it certain concessions incompatible
with its dignity and independence. Although up to the
present time, there has been addressed to us, on the fart
cf those powers, no note, written or verbal, no demand,
direct or indirect, of the nature cf those referred to in
the public papers, notes or demands relative to the refu-
gees, and which would tend to encroach on the institu-
tions and therigh te of Switzerland; although these powers
have no gaievances against the Confederation, which has
spontaneously fulfilled its obligations, and will continue
to fulfil them ; although we are conseqaently very far
from admitting or even from supposing the projects as-
cribed to those powers :—notwithstanding that, we say,
our duty being to watch over the safety of Switzerland,
and the maintenance of its independence al well as its
neutrality, we beg of you to make known what you may
know or learn, teuelaing the concentrations or movements
of foreign troops, which might be directed aepainst Swit-
zerland, in order that if', contrary to all expectation, the
rumours which are spread be well f.munded, we may be
able to take opportunely all the measures required for
the defence of the country. You know, dear and faithful
confederates, if, on the one hand, Switzerland does not
mean to allow her soil to serve as the centre of a propa-
ganda, and to schemes which may cause disquietude to
neighbouring states, as the Federal Council has proved
by its decree of the 16th of July, 1849, nod its other
measure.; relative to the sending into the intezior of
the refugees, and the expulsion of !their chiefs measures,
which are not concessions, but the free and vcluutary
accotnplishment of our free and international duties ; on
the other hand, strong in this position, Switzerland will
know how to resist with the energy which the sentiment
cf a good cause gives, any exigency which may exceed
the limits cf its duties, any attack on its rights ; such is
the firm resolution of the nation, arel of its authorities
both cauSenal and federal. It i., consequently, our re-
solution also, certain as we arc, that if Switzerland does
net provoke, she will not shrink before, menaces. But
we rep-at, that the hostilTee with which certain
journals menace Switzerland arc so devoid cf founda-
tion, they would be so contrary to reason and to justice,
so opposed -to the maintenance cf general tranquillity,
that we should consider it nn insult to the powers to sup-
pose that they would allow themselves to be rei,led by
a tarty which does not cease to calumniate Switzerland,
in the hope thae deceiving the Euroeem Governments
by it cont:nual ialsehoods, it will succeed in making them
serve as instruments to its perilous designs. De not
ether believe this party when it states that the Federal
Council ha; complied with the injunctions of diplomacy,
or has anticipated its exigencies. This is as contrary to
the truth as when it pretends that the Federal Council
has not the power to cause its orders to be respected, or
that Switzerland is a permanent cause of perturbation to
the neighbeurieg states. Tiue,e inventions are, like se
many others, part of the schemes of the reactionary
party, on which it is necessary to have the eye open.
We seize this occasion to recomm.nd yov, dear and
faithful confederate?, and ourselves, to the Divine pro-
tection

" In tfe name Gf the Swiss Federal Council,
" H. DRUEY, President of the Confederation.
" N. Vow Moos, Substitute of the Chancel-
lor of the Conf deration."

WATERPOIID, WEXFORD, WICK-
LOW, AND DUBLIN RAILWAY.
A half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors was
held ye terday at the offices of the company. 449, West
Strand, fa the purpose of receiving a report antl a
statement of the accounts from the directors.
Lord COURTUWN, the chairman of the company, pre•.
shied.

Mr. NASH requested to ba allowed to examine the rc-
giiter of share holders.
The CHAIRMAN—Wa cinnot permit you do so.
Mr. NASH—Then I protest against the register being
sealed.
The sealing of the document was, however, proceeded
with, and formal protests both against this proceeding
and the legality of tl:e meeting were banded in by
Mr. Nash.
The SECRETARY then read the report of Ike directors,
which stated that in pursuance cf the resolution adopted
at tl.e last racetieg, they had cqused a Bill to be
pzepared, which had passed the standing orders and
had been read the fart time in the House of Commons.
They regretted to find that there still existed among
a portion of the shareholders a disposition to thwart and
embarrass the board in their prosecution of measures
which had been cone: ved and adopted with a conscien-
tious &sire to Eenellt all concerned. They were quite
R filling to 1:Y Levi) that such opposition or obstruction
proccA ded mainly from a misunderstanding of the
exi-
gf nCy of the and of the position in which the share-
holdcrs were placed. With the aid and support of the
pre.; . ~l•e. tors, the directors had a confident hope that
the anirs of the company might be, if not a:to-
gether retrieved, at all events materially improved.
The object which the directors had in view was to ask
the sanction of Parliament for limiting the line to that
portion which might be confidently expected to prove
remunerative; and, in so doing, greatly to reduce tha
burdea and liability which now pressed on the share-
holders. The opposition to this course, if successful,
would greatly augmer4 the diffimltics of the hoard,
without ultimate relief to the proprietors; and if, urthr.l,-
PilY, the efforts of tEe directors should thereby
be rendered ab°rtivP, they would have no alternative
but to proceed, in the strict discharge c f their duty,
to execute the works as orizinalry contemplated;
and to erforca the payment of the subscriptions in full.
How reverely this would press upon the shareholders it
was unnecessary to suggest; and the directors entreat
those up;n whom the pressure would fell not to suffer