Star.
London, England, 1802-09-30 00:00:00

AFFAIRS OF SWITZERLAND.

As the affairs of the Swifs Cantons are becoming
every day more ferious, it will not be unintereft-
ing to the Public to be better acquainted with the
character of the perfon who is the leader of thofe
brave men who are now endeavouring to recover
their liberties, and to free Switzerland from the
abjea dependence on a foreign power.
ALOYs kEDING) the valiant Chief of the Inde-
pendent Cantons, and who, if we are not mit
taken, is deftined to make a dillinguithed figure
in hiftory, ftudied the art of war in the fervice of
Spain, in which he attained the rank of Colonel.
A !port time previous to the Revolution, he had
retired into the folitary vallies of his native coun-
try, and devoted his leifure to friendfhip, to the
Mutes, and to the cultivation of his lands. He
had long willed for an amelioration of the fcederal
fyftem, and that I is country should enjoy ufeful
and true liberty ; but his heart "evoked at the idea
of a revolution effected by a Foreign Power, and
at the Rill more abhorrent idea of feeing his coun-
try fall under the dominion of France.
Such are the motives which induced him to re-
fume the fword, and to thew himfelf worthy of the
Helvetian name, and of his brave anceftors. The
101 l of a young wife, whom he tenderly loved,had
left a profound melancholy on his mind, which
made him perhaps more eager to feek the perils of
battle. Wary,loyal, brave, attached to his coun-
try, and poifeffing great coolnefs in profperity as
well as in adverfity, he became, in a thort time,
the favourite and the hope of the people.
From the bravery and !kill with which ALOYS
REDING defended his country, when the French
full invaded Switzerland, we may judge what he
is now capable of performing fhould they return.
With a few hundred men he repeatedly routed a
whole army ; and was at Taft obliged to yield to
terms only by the treachery of Priefts, and a con-
'taut diminution of his numbers. Like LEON tras
of old, waiting a certain and glorious end at the
pats of Thermopyle, fuch was RIDING at the head
of his troops on the famous heights of Morgaften.
Upon this occafion he made the following remark.
able fpeech to his foldiers, of which the authenti-
city is confidered unqueftionable
Brave Comrades, beloved fellow Citizens ! The dzeifiez
moment is now arrived. Surroundal by enemies, and defected
by our friends, ft only remains to know if we will courage.
tray imitate the example formerly Set by our anceftors at Mar-
gulies: An akuoft certain death awaits us. If any one fears
it, let him retire: we will not reproach him. Let us not irrl
pore aro each other at this Woos hour. I would rather hive
a kmalrod men on whom I could depend, than eve hundred
who, Might =aim eonfofion, and, by a perfidious
retrenthe brave men who would fWI defend them-
Om. As to toyfelf, I promife mot to abandon you even in
the great& danger. MATH AND 1110 RETREAT. If you par.
="tmy refolodoo, let two men come out of your ranks,
(wear to me in your name that yeti Wilk bittenl to your
• promiks."
The foldiers, leaning upon their' arms, liftened
in filence, and with a religious awe, to the words
of their Chief; tears dropped down the cheeks of
thofe manly warriors; and when REDING bad
done (peaking, a thoufand voices exclaimed," We
will partake your lot we will never abandon
you ! Then two men came out of each rank,
and gave their hands to RIDING in token of fide•
lity in life and death: This treaty of alliance be-
tween the Chief and his foldiers was (worn in open
air, and in the face of Heaves : it bears marks of
Patriarchal manners, worthy of the golden age.
The following Extrafts are from the French
Papers received this morning :
TO CITIZEN MONNOD, NATIONAL PREFECT OT THE
CANTON OP YAVS.
" Citizen Prefed, I am direded by China &nun, Se.
emery at War, to inform you, that a eander who reached
heed quarters yeftaday evening, by way of Lucerne, has
brought difpatches, fisting that a column, andifting of woo
of the peefamy of the canton of Zurich had joined the Hei-
se army, and that a reinforcement al about 400 men, pro-
ceeding in two corps for that city, has been beaten by our
troops of the line and Wilda, and particularly by our horfe
elegem, who difperfed tbefe infurgents, after killing a number
at them and taking forty prifoners. It is probable, that if or-
ders tar fdpending ludtilitics had not boat difpaebed on Turd-
day loft, oar troops would have entered Zurich.
• (*Pa) RENGGILR,.
Secretary of State for the Interior."
TO THE NATIONAL PREFECT OF THE CANTON OF
TAuD.
• Citizen Perfect, I have to acquaint you, that according to
advices this moment received, the French Government has
given orders for the march of two dend-bripdes, to place
themfehres at the difpofal of the Helvetic Government, and by
that means to MU in *prating the preknt difturbaneee. You
are requeftcd to make this information as public as pot able.
Republican Situation." • Signed as above.
Blase, SEPTEMBER I7.—The following are the
IA details which can give any idea of our craft
pofition : This morning the courier brought in-
telligence, that the troops, with the red and black
cockade, blocked up all the roads. At Hilchberg
he learned that their bead quarters were at So-
leure. It is not true that the famous Cattle of
Arbour g has Surrendered, but unfortunately it is
not fupplied with ptovifions, and is garrifoned only
with two companies of picked troops. Fribourg
has re-conftituted itfeif this night, and adopted
the forms of its old government. The number of
the infurgents now in arms is Rated to be mom
It souß be allowed that they obkrve drift difcip-
line ; and what appears inconceivable militia this
efferrefcence no patriot has been ill-ufed by them.
General ANDiRMATT again bombarded Zurich ,
the whole day on Monday. Thelown confined
itfelf to a mere defence. It fent a deputation to
him, who received only evafive antwers, and (carte
Sad it returned, when the bombardment re-cons-
Mewed. Betides howitzers, ANDIIILNATT canted
red-hot ballets to be teed, .and threw into the
town alto infiammatovy compofitions, Some of
which fell on the Hofpital. At hi the Commit-
Sonar of the Central government, C. Mai, re-
flora order, and put an and to hollilities. Old
General Brawn, at thelead of tsoo men of Ar-
Ittrvia trnd•Zurich, occupies, at tbe prefent mo-
ment, the heights of Hogg, and Aansamarr is
polled OD dist Albis with 700 MO* wilosn hs has
*ill left. RIDING is on die frootietst *ids woo

pen.
' To est: kate ps fess the prefent crifis they now
ilk of creating a central power, capable of unit-
ing au parties, and of commanding confides's,
bo* at home sad sjaroad.