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. e countenances of the
Deputies assembled wore, for h
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 of agents in
disguise, in order to protect them from the fury of the

" The discussions were less bitter than was expected,
and with the exception of the speech of M. Steg ward,
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. Blumer, of
Glaris. The ultra-mountain party with much difficulty
succeeded in appointing three—M. Schmid, of Uri ; M.
Calame, of Neufchatel ' • and M. Muller, of 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 DIET.—SmexG GF APRIL 3.
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 be exceeded. The
Free Corps, irri•ated that the Diet was powerless incom-
ing to a decision with respect to the Jesuits, 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 t)o 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 lion. President ; but this
change will not produce anv 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 not 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 Api
ii
.-, Y sent word that these symptoms were no longer dis-
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.
l. 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 amnesty.
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. lie 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 memures of the Direc-
tory, he praised the commissaries and the Commander-
in-Chief, who did not meddle with the internal
affairs of their 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 from 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
ins to him there were 2,000 prisoners (who had not
been ill-treated) and 300 killed.) It was sufficient, he
remarked, to look at the men in custody to see that they
were the refuse of society.—(Loud marks of indignatioe
from the Tribunes.) Lucerne was obliged to quit her
friends and faithful conft-derates to apply to perjured
men.—(Marks of disapprobation from the assembly.)
W. 'Le 11.1J1SLeti
ore: demandswhich she made in her letter to the
Vorort of March 26 ; and, in addition, required satis-
faction from the cantons of Berne, Arpin, Soleure, and
Bale Country ; and if that satisfaction was not accorded,
she reserved to herself to take all 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
representative, M. Nceff; dated Lucerne, April 4, an-
nouncing that the Grand 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 a'so set at liberty, but on
certain conditions ; and in the case 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 continued 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
p.opositions as it might deem proper.