Star.
London, England, 1831-04-06 00:00:00

NEUTRALITY OF SWITZERLAND.

AUSTRIAN NOTE.

TO Tin Al OYER/ AND COUNCIL OF ETAT or THE CANTON Or
LUCERNE, THE PRESENT DIRECTORY OF THE SWISS CON-

FEDERATION.

The undersigned Chancellor of Court and State of His Imperial and
Royal Apostolic 51ajes'y has received the despatch of the sth January.
by Which their Excellencies the Avoyers and Council of State of the
Canton of Lucerne, the present Directory of the Swiss Confederation.
communicated to him the declaration which emanated on the 22d of
December from the extraordinary Diet assembled at Berne.
The neutrality of Switzerland was declared. sanctioned. and guaran-
teed by the subscribing Powers, to the act of the Congress of Vienna,
who thereby gave to the confederation an unequivocal proof of their
benevolent interest.—The Austrian Cabinet found, during recent com-
munications with the Directory, the opportunity of recapitulating the
engagements which subsist in this respect, and the entire value of which
it recognised.
In this state of things, and while no political war troubled the re-
pose of Europe, but on the contrary the will of all the Powers was
declared for the maintenance of peace, it was impossible, without asto-
nishment. to perceive the solicitude for the conservation of the preci-
ous benefit of neutrality, which ought to diffuse in Switzerland only
calmness and tranquillity, pie:saucing a solemX declaration of that very
neutrality—which declaration not being called for by any apparent mo-
tive, assumes, by its spontaneousness, a character of distrust almost
dffensive to the neighbours of the confederation. This astonishment
was augmented by the measure. equally gratuitous and onerous on the
part of the Cantons, of a considerable armament—an armament which
was neither occasioned nor justified by any imminent danger, nor by
any menacing demonstration on the part of the neighbouring States,
but which cannot fail, to infuse disquietude and agitation into the
minds of the peaceful people of Switzerland.
" The frankness of these observations can only be regarded by the
Confederation 23 a new proof of the sincere interest which the Emperor
has at all times taken in that body. Witb the constant solicitude which
that interest inspires, his imperial Majesty will constantly repel every
attempt to compromise the neutrality of Switzerland, or to interfere in
Its internal affairs, and the sincerity of his intentions does not permit
him to entertain any doubt of the reception which the present overture
will obtain from magistrates invested with the duty of watching over the
most important interests of their country.
The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to offer to the
Avoyers and Council of State of the Canton of Lucerne, the assurances
of his high consideration.
Vienna, March 6. (Signed) METTERNICH.
ANSWER OF THE SWISS DIET TO AUSTRIA.

The Avoyers arid Council of State of the Canton of Lucerne, the pre-
sent Directory of the Confederation, have received the note which his
Highness Prince Metternich, Chancellor of Court and State to bis Im-
perial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, addressed to them under the date
of the 6th of March, 1831, in reply to that of the sth of January,
which accompanied the declaration of the Diet of the 27th of December,
1830, and they have hastened to communicate the same to the Deputies
of the Swiss Cantons, assembled in an extraordinary Diet.
On perceiving in the note of his Highness a recapitulation of the
solemn treaties by which the Powers have acknowledged and guaranteed
the neutrality of Switzerland,—on receiving from His Imperial and
Hoy tl M 'jests fresh assurances that he recogniaes all the value of those
trervies, and di a he entertains a constant solicitude for the interests of
Switzerland,—all the members of the Federal Assembly experienced the
sentiment of a since,e gratitude, and they beg of Prince Metternich
that he will be pleased to be the organ of the expression of that grad-
tude to his august Sovereign.
But while such is the sentiment which the note of his Highness has
impressed on the Diet, it is not without much regret that they per-
ceive, in the same note, that their declaration of the 22d December,
1830, bad given origin—respecting the real intentions of Switzerland—
to doubts which that act ought not to have excited.
Considerable armaments have taken place and arc in progress in the
countries adjacent to Switzerland. Notwithstanding the desires of
the great powers, and their efforts to preserve the peace of Europe,
the chances of a crisis cannot be disguised. Such is the character
of the epoch in which the Diet has declared the maintenance of a
strict neutrality, and the employment, with the view of making that
right be respected, of all the means in its power ; and, also, that it
will not call the Swiss to arms except for protecting their frontiers
from every external attack, from whatever quarter that attack may
come.
The attitude which the Confederation assumed was commanded by
Its dearest interests, it was conformable to the views of the Great
Powers, who, in the act of the 20th of November, 1815, recognized
the neutrality and the inviolability of Switzerland, as well as its
independence from all foreign influence to be objects within the true
interests of the policy of all Europe. Without preparations pro-
portioned to the serious nature of the circumstance, Switzerland
might find herself delivered up to the chances of a very uncertain
futurity, and it was the duty of the Diet to provide without delay
for rendering promptly disposable all the military forces of the con.
federation.
All the people of Switzerland ardently desire the maintenance of
peace. They bless the efforts of the sovereigns for preserving to huma-
nity the most precious of benefits and they expect the happiest suc-
cess therefrom ; but at the sane time they feel a not less ardent wish
fur securing the happiness which they enjoy by an attitude at once
amicable towards all states, and conformable to the sacred duty of main-
taining by their own means the most complete and impartial neutra-
lity. The Diet, therefore, in proclaiming this to be its only object, was
the organ of ell Switzerland. The whole nation has applauded that act
of federal authority, and has shown itself ready to make every effort
and every sacridee which the maintenance of neutrality, and the ineio-
lability of the Swiss territory, and the defence of its liberty may re.
quire.
The representatives of the confederated states are firmly persuaded
that this fresh manifestation of the principles and the sentiments which
dictated their declaration of the 27th of December, UM, will suffice to
dissipate all the doubts of his Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty,
and to convince him of the good faith and the sincerity of the intentions
of Switzerland.
The Avoyers and Council of State of the Canton of Lucerne, the
federal directory, eagerly seize upon this opportunity to offer to Prince
sletarnich the assurances of their high consideration.
Signed for the Avoyers and Council of State for the Canton of Lu-
otrne, AM RYH N, President of the Diet.
AM RYHN, Chancellor of the Confederation.
Lucerne, March 22.