The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-24
LETTER FROM SWITZERLAND.
Ca%respondeacs ~ AIbany Ersniag LlrnaL
Two days Revolution at Geneva.

TWO days kScEGkusEOFB :sE Geneva.
PARIS, Oct. l3, 1916.
DEAR SlR-We arrived in this city
late last evening from Geneva. The
country between Geneva and Paris, after
reaching the western base of Mount Jura,
is certainly n of the richest and best
cultivated I ever saw; fruit, grapes, wheat
and Indian corn are grown in great abun-
dance. The land is generally undulating
and in some parts quite hiliy, but the
road, j much travelled one, IS graded al
most 10 . perfect level. Posting arrange
ments are so complete that the distance,
S52 miles, can be performed in your own
carriage in foriy-eight hours.
We lett the city Of Geneva in m
what of an excited situation, owing 10 the
revolutionary state Of that Canton; and
we are thankful 10 Providence that we
are allowed 10 escape unframed, after
having been for days in a very exposed
and dangerous position. You will re-
member that Switzerland is divided into
Canlons, each of which elect a represen-
tative to the general Diet, and this Diet
is the government of the country at large
The predominant religion of the country
IS Protestant, but there are seven small
cantons whose inhabitants are principal
~, Catholic. Il seems that these seven
canlons formed a league in order to press
The general government into the passage
of a law for the protection or %harborlng
of the Jesuits, and the Diet, for the sake
OF preventing a civil war. which was
threatened, between the different contons,
passed a resolution by a majority one in
favor Of protecting this class of persons.
The representative Of the anton OF Ge-
neva, which is Protestant, having lodged
the QUESTION or refused to vote, it was de-
termined that Geneva should show her
hands on the resolution. which was ac-
cordingly sent up to the Council Of that
city. Contrary 10 the expressed wishes
of the people, the Council confirmed the
vote Of the Diet. This was the signal
for action or the part of the people; the
government had taken It's stand, and the
people, feeling themselves sggrieyed, de-
termined TO maintain their rights at every
hazard. Meetings were held, resolutions
offered. and under the cry Of GOD and
Liberty" thousands assembled, armed
and eQuippsd TO fight for what they called
their dearest privileges.
Geneva is divided into two unequal
parts by the river Rhone, and contains
about $4,000 inhabitants. The arsenal
and the barracks of the government
troops situated in that part Of the town
which contains the greater portion of the
population, and so placed as 10 COM
mand a view OF every part CT the city on
the opposite bank. On the evening Of
the 7th. after 4 very animated meeting in
the temple of ST. Geryais. al which II was
resolved TO maintain their stand at what
ever sacrifice. tie people took possession
of the four bridges over The Rhone, bar
Reading them in the centre with old Vag-
ons. carts. boards, stone, &c, 10 cut oil
all communication between themselves
and the government party. Winnie these
Notifications were under way, word came
10 myself and wife, who were visiting
our Albany friends at the Hotel des Ber-
CUES in the lesser town, that IT we wished
to get back TO our lodgings, there was no
time to be lost. We started. and as was
10 be expected. were met by the sentry
atthe end Of the bridge. with-'you can
pass this bridge sir.p-but no sooner had
the words, "Americsn citizens left my
lips, Than the crowd gave way. and we
we're not only allowed 70 pass, but even
assisted over the barricade, which was
nearly completed. We arrived at our
Hotel, which is situated on the river
fronting the bridge, ard within 4 hundred
feet of the later, feeling as thong /
might be something Of Tie heroic 10 stoI
III the city long enough to see the end a
we had seen the beginning OF a revolu
ion.
Every c~xeriion was made by the PEG
ple, during Inc night, TO iortliy them
selves, aud procure the necessary provls
ions and ammunition for a Stage; IN
Esils and city gates were taken Posses