The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-11 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE SWISS DIET

PARIS, WEDNESDAY.
The Constitutionnel has received by Extraordinary
Express the proceedings of the Swiss Diet, which
derive so much interest and importance from the cir-
cumstances under which it has assembled.
" We have received from our Zurich correspondent,
by Extraordinary Express, the account of the sitting of
the Diet on the Ist instant. The countcnances of the
Deputies assembled wore, for the most part, an ex-
pression of painful feeling. Those of Lucerne were of
so radiant a character, as to call forth the indignant
shouts of the populace. The police of Zurich were
obliged to have them escorted by a band or agents in
disguise, in order to protect them from the fury of the
public.
" The discussions were less bitter than was expected,
and with the exception of the speech of M. Stegward,
of Lucerne, the language held was dignified and calm.
Finding it impossible to come to a decision in
one sitting, the Federal Assembly has appointed
a commission to present propositions suited to
the exigency of the occasion. This Committee has
a general authorisation, which will permit it to carry
its investigation as far as it may judge desirable. The
Liberal party succeeded in placing four Members on this
Committee, viz., M. Furrer, of Zurich ; M. Weber, of
Berne ; M. Kern, of Thurgoire, and M. Blusher, of
Glaris. The ultra-mountain party with much difficulty
succeeded in appointing three—M. Schmid, of Uri ; M.
Calame, of Neufchatel ; and M. Muller, cf St. Gall.
The most sensible check experienced by the ultra moun-
tain party was the exclusion from the Committee of the
deputy of Lucerne, for it has always been customary for
the members of the three directing cantons to form part
of important political committees."
SWISS DlET.—Srrrixo ci APRIL 5.

All the deputies were present except those of Lessino
and the Valais, who were expected in the course of the
day. The Diet having been opened in the usual form.
The President said—" Gentlemen,,it is scarcely a fort-
night since you quitted this hall, several not satisfied
with the result of your labours, and foreseeing that
grave results would arrive. But you did not think
that your utmost anticipations could he exceeded. The
Frae Corps, irri-ated that the Diet was powerless in corn-
ing to a decision with re'pect to the Jesuit=, made an ir-
ruption on the territory of a confederate state- A
terrible destiny has befallen these misguided men,
and sorrow has seized on many honourable families.
A federal army is on foot to lend its assistance to the
re-establishment of order in our country. The peace of

Switzerland depends on what the Diet is about to do.
This high assembly ought to have constantly before
its eyes the importance of its mandate ; it. ought to
avoid entering tea deeply into the causes which have
produced these events, in order not to raise up irritating
discussion ; but it will examine the means of repairing
the evil, and it can find them. A change has taken
place in the persons composing the directory, and has
caused the resignation of our Hon. President ; but this
change will not produce any modification in the instruc-
tions given by the Grand Council of Zurich."
The reports of the Vorort, the federal commissary,
and of the chief of the army were then read.
The report of the Vorort states that after the defeat
of the Free Corps the Directory invited the several
States net to neglect anything to prevent the renewal of
such facts. It next gives an account of the measures
taken when the Government of Argau perceived symp-
toms of revolt in the Freiamt. M. Neff having, on April
2, sent word that these symptoms were no longer (Hs.:
quieting, went to Lucerne to engage that state to treat
the prisoners mildly, without thereby wishing to encroach
on the cantonal sovereignty. The report concludes by
making known the propositions of the two states.
1. Lucerne demands that the Diet should take severe
measures to put an end to the organisation of the free
corps: that Argau and the Bale country should be called
on to pay the expenses caused to the canton of Lucerne
by the recent invasion.
2. Argau demands that the Diet should come to some
decision against the Jesuits, and that Lucerne should
proclaim a general aihnesty.
M. Weber, Second Deputy of Berne, demanded, as a
matter of urgency, that the Diet should address a press-
ing invitation to Lucerne to accord a general amnesty—
the only means, he said, of healing so many bleeding
wounds. He proposed also that a Committee should be
charged to examine the other points.
M. Stegwart, Deputy of Lucerne, spoke against the
sending of Commissioners, and the calling out of federal
troops, as useless measures. Lucerne had, he said,
called to her aid the primitive cantons, in virtue of Art.
4 of the compact ; and with such faithful confederates
they considered themselves strong enough to resist
anarchy. Without blaming the measures of the Direc-
tory, he praised the commissaries and the Commander-
in-Chief, who did not meddle with the internal
affairs of th6r canton. But he protested beforehand
against all intervention of the Diet in the cantonal affairs.
Independently of the propositions which Lucerne had
submitted to the cantons, he had to make another.
The free corps, after having obtained their arms and
accoutrements frem the cantonal arsenals, and being
fully supported, had entered the canton of Lucerne
like robbers, to the number of 7,000 or 8,000. (The
Deputy here entered into details of the matter. Accord
inn to him there were 2,000- prisoners (who had not
been ill-treated) and 300 killed.) It was sufficient, be
remarked, to look at the men in custody to see that they
were the refuse of society.—(Loud marks of indignation
from the Tribunes.) Lucerne was obliged to quit her
friends and fdith!ul confederates to apply to perjured
men.—(Marks of disapprobation from the assembly.)
Written proofs of the connivance of the authorities
of the cantons could now be produced. Lucerne insisted
on the demands which she made in her letter to the
Vorort
forfollatrhceh
cantons
t;onasn clßerne, Argau, Solcure, and in addition, required satis-
factiono
Bale Country ; and if that satisfaction was not accorded,
she reserved to herself to take al! proper steps for her
preservation. The Deputy concluded by declaring that
the Grand Council of Lucerne had proclaimed an am-
nesty in favour of the criminals of December 8, excepting
only the most guilty.
After this speech, which produced a sensation of sad-
ness in the assembly, a report Was read from the federal
n representative,oancing
that
G
the LNraal cenft; dated Lucerne, April 4, an-
Council of Lucerne had taken
measures which led to hope that clemency would be
shown. There were to be three classes of prisoners.
Such as were under twenty years of age were to be
restored to liberty, as well as foreigners, under the
reserve that the courts of law were to pronounce against
the latter an order to quit the territory of the Confedera-
tion. The second would be it.so set at liberty, but on
certain conditions ; and in the ease of the third class,
containing the leaders and functionaries, the ordinary
tribunals were to decide, appeal to the Grand Council
being allowed those found guilty.
At the termination of the reading of this report, the
discussion was resumed, and contir.ued for six hours, in
the midst of reciprocal accusations. At last the assem-
bly almost unanimously agreed to the nomination of a
Committee of seven members to examine the present
state of affairs in all points of view, and to make such
propositions as it might deem proper.

GRAND COUNCIL OF STATE.
At a meeting of the Grand Council of State, held at
Lucerne on the 4th, the instructions to be given to the
deputies at the Extraordinary Diet were resolved on,
and relate to the following points:— ,
1. The disarminc, of the tree corps.
2. The withdrawal. of the refugees from the frontiers.
3. The indemnity to be demanded from the cantons
who have favoured the operations of the Free Corps ;
viz. :—Argan, Bale country, Berne, &C.
It was proposed that there should be excluded from
the benefit of the amnesty-
1. The principal chiefs and instigators of the move-
ment.
2. Those who had assembled on the Bth of December
at the Place des Mouline.
3. Those who were found at the inn with arms, for
criminal intentions.
4. Those who were defeated at the Bridge of Emme.
5. All public functionaries, professors, officers, sub-
officers, who took part in the attempt.
6. All foreign volunteers.
This proposition was not adopted, but another more
moderate brought forward, whereby the amnesty was to
extend to all but the authors and chiefs in the movement.
The Grand Cout.eil decided that the trial of the offenders
•
should take place immediately.

SANGUINARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE GO-
VERNMENT OF LUCERNE.
(From the Journal des Debate.)
An account was received yesterday from Switzer-
land, affirming that Dr. Steiger, one of the chiefs of
the refugees of Lucerne, who was made prisoner at the
late battle, was tried and condemned on Thursday, and
immediately shot. We would willingly doubt the
truth of this news. This merciless act of vengeance
would not do honour to the victory sf the Government
of Lucerne, and it cannot be by such sanguinary acts
of reprisal that the Government and the friends of the
Jesuits will strengthen their cause, °rein forit sympathy
and support. The number of the victims of this deplo-
rable civil war is alrealy sufficiently great. The exact
amount of the killed cannot yet be ascertained ; but it is
said that out of the GC() men who marchel from the half
canton of Bale-country, only WO have returned, and that
a single man alone has got back to Liestal.