Dispatch of the British Ambassador at Paris to Lord John Russell 1 (Extract) Earl Cowley to Lord J. Russell 1 Paris, March 9, 1860. I was surprised, on calling this morning on M. Thouvenel, to find that he had been for two days in possession of M. de Cavour's reply to that part of his Excellency's despatch of the 24th ultimo which related to the annexation of Savoy to France. I proceeded, in compliance with the instructions contained in your Lordship's despatch of the 6th instant, to ask his Excellency in what manner the promise of the Emperor, that the Great Powers should be consulted on this matter, is to be carried into effect. M. Thouvenel replied, that the Sardinian Government having declared that they would not object to the annexation of Savoy to France, if such should be the wish of the Savoyards themselves, he was about to draw up a despatch which would be addressed to the Imperial Representatives at the Courts, parties to the Treaties of 1815, explaining the wishes of the Imperial Govern1 British Parliamentary Papers, Affairs of Italy [2638], p. 41. ment, and the reasons why it was considered that these wishes should be acceded to. His Excellency thought that this despatch would be sent off on Tuesday or Wednesday next. With regard to your Lordship's second question,- whether there should be a previous vote in Savoy and Nice,- M. Thouvenel replied that the Imperial Government adhered to the principle of consulting the wishes of the inhabitants of those two countries. In what manner and at what period this appeal was to be made, he could not now state; but, as at present advised, he should say that the communication to the Powers would precede the vote. He reserved to himself, however, to act in this matter as circumstances might require. Should the vote be unfavourable, he had no hesitation, in reply to your Lordship's third question, in stating that the project of annexation would fall to the ground. Your Lordship's fourth question is answered under the first. Proclamation by the Governor of Chambéry. March 10, 18601 HABITANTS DE LA PROVINCE DE CHAMBÉRY! Envoyé ici par le Gouvernement du Roi dans le but de resserrer davantage les anciens liens qui unissent ces populations à la Monarchie, je ne pouvais prévoir des événements qui me sont étrangers, et qui rendent si difficile l'accomplissement de ma mission. Il y a quelque temps qu'une sourde agitation s'est emparée de l'esprit des populations de la Savoie. Cette agitation a eu d'abord pour cause la question des remaniements territoriaux soulevée par les journaux et ensuite la publication récente de documents officiels, qui ont fait naître une pénible anxiété sur le sort de votre noble patrie. Préoccupé de vos destinées, le Gouvernment du Roi, qui jamais ne INHABITANTS OF THE PROVINCE OF Being sent here by the King's Government for the purpose of binding more closely together the ancient ties which unite these populations to the Monarchy, I could not foresee events which are new to me, and which make the accomplishment of my mission so difficult. Some time ago, a secret agitation seized upon the minds of the population of Savoy. The first cause of this agitation was the question of territorial alterations, stirred up by the newspapers, and, afterwards, the publication of official documents, which have caused a painful anxiety to be felt respecting the fate of your noble country. newspapers, Preoccupied with your destinies, the King's Government, which has 1 Text and translation from British Parliamentary Papers, Affairs of Italy [2702], p. 1. s'est éloigné des voies de la justice et de la loyauté, avant de prendre aucune résolution, fera appel à une sincère manifestation des vœux des populations, selon la forme légale que le Parlement du Royaume voudra établir. Vous serez alors appelés à choisir entre cette ancienne Monarchie de Monarchie de Savoie, à laquelle vous unissent une affection séculaire et un dévouement sans bornes, et la nation, qui a tant de titres à vos sympathies, soit à raison de son voisinage, soit à raison de bienfaits récents. Quelque vif que serait au cœur du Roi le regret qu'il éprouverait si les provinces qui ont été le berceau glorieux de la Monarchie pouvaient se décider à se séparer d'avec le reste des Etats, il ne se refuserait pas à reconnaître la valeur de cette manifestation, exprimée d'une manière pacifique et régulière; mais rien n’affligerait autant le cœur de notre magnanime Roi que si, en faisant loyalement appel à vos vœux, des désordres venaient troubler la solennelle manifestation demandée franchement à ces populations, et empêcher en même temps de connaître réellement votre volonté. Prêt à maintenir l'ordre et le réspect aux lois, je compterai en tout cas sur l'attitude calme et tranquille qui convient à un peuple qui doit se prononcer sur le sort de sa patrie. Chambéry, le 10 mars, 1860. (Signé) ORSO SERRA. never wandered from the paths of justice and loyalty, before taking any resolution, will appeal to a sincere manifestation of the wishes of the population, according to the legal form which the Parliament of the kingdom shall wish to establish. You will then be called upon to choose between this ancient Monarchy of Savoy, to which you are united by old affection and by unlimited devotion, and the nation which has so many claims on your sympathies, whether ori thies, whether on account of its neighbourhood or on account of recent benefits. However great might be the regret felt by the King, if the provinces which have been the glorious cradle of his kingdom should decide to separate themselves from the rest of his States, he would not refuse to recognize the value of this manifestation, expressed in a peaceful and regular manner; but nothing would afflict the heart of our magnanimous King more, than if, whilst loyally appealing to your wishes, disorders should trouble the solemn manifestation asked of this population, and, at the same time, prevent your will from being really known. Ready to maintain order and respect for the laws, I shall expect, under all circumstances, that calm and tranquil conduct which is suited to a people about to pronounce on the fate of their native country. Chambery, March 10, 1860. The Governor, (Signed) ORso Serra. Protest of the Swiss Government Against the Annexation of Savoy to France 1 Dr. Kern to M. Thouvenel Je dois observer que mon Gouvernement regarde tout particulièrement toute annexion des Provinces neutralisées du Chablais, du Faucigny, et du Génévois, à une autre Puissance, comme étant en contradiction avec les stipulations des Traités de 1815, qui garantissent ces Provinces, dans l'intérêt de la neutralité Suisse, comme si elles étaient une partie intégrante de la Confédération en déclarant "qu'elles doivent jouir de la neutralité de la Suisse de la même manière que si elles appartenaient à celle-ci." En attendant, mes instructions m'imposent le devoir, en me référant aux considérations que j'ai eu l'honneur de vous exposer dans l'audience que vous avez bien voulu m'accorder le 13 mars, de protester formellement, au nom de la Confédération Suisse, contre toute mesure qui aurait 1 Text and translation from Parliamentary Paris, March 15, 1860. M. LE MINISTRE, In compliance with a despatch from Berne, it is my duty to inform your Excellency that the Federal Council has addressed to His Majesty the King of Sardinia a note, in which it demands the observation of the stipulations of the Treaty of 1564, confirmed by the Treaty of the 16th of March, 1816, between Sardinia and Switzerland, so far as they affect the session of the existing Savoyard territory to another Power. I must observe, that my Government most distinctly regards any annexation of the neutralized Provinces of Chablais, Faucigny, and the Genevese to another Power as being in contradiction to the stipulations of the Treaties of 1815, the Treaties of 1815, which guaran tee those Provinces, in the interest of Swiss neutrality, as if they were an integral portion of the Confederation, declaring "that they are to benefit by the neutrality of Switzerland in the same way as if they belonged to her." Meanwhile, my instructions impose on me the duty, referring to the reasons which I had the honour to state to you at the audience which you were good enough to grant me on the 13th of March, to protest formally, in the name of the Swiss Confederation, against any measure Papers, Affairs of Italy [2702], p. 4. Views of the French Government on the Swiss Protest 1 MONSIEUR, M. Thouvenel to M. Tillos Paris, le 13 mars, 1860. Le Conseil Fédéral, ne pouvant se dissimuler l'importance et l'unanimité des manifestations que provoque en Savoie l'éventualité d'un démembrement, a chargé M. Kern de me demander si le Gouvernement de l'Empereur persistait à ce sujet dans les intentions que je vous ai fait connaître. M. le Ministre de Suisse, durant notre entretien, m'a fait entendre que si la Confédération Helvétique ne devait obtenir ni le Chablais ni le Faucigny, il ne resterait à son Gouvernement qu'à protester auprès des Cours signataires des Traités de Vienna contre toute modification du statu quo, et à soulever, sans nulle hésitation, une question très grave et très embarrassante pour le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Impériale. Voici en substance ce que j'ai répondu à M. Kern:-.. SIR, 1 Paris, March 13, 1860. The Federal Council, being unable to conceal from itself the importance and the unanimity of the manifestations which the prospect of a dismemberment has called forth in Savoy, instructed M. Kern to demand of me whether the Government of the Emperor persisted in the intentions, with regard to this subject, which I have communicated to you. The Swiss Minister, during our cònversation, gave me to understand that if the Swiss Confederation was not to obtain either Chablais or Faucigny, it would only remain for his Government to protest at the Courts which signed the Treaties of Vienna, against any modification of of the status quo, and to raise, without any hesitation, a question very grave and very embarrassing to His Imperial Majesty's Government. What follows is the substance of my reply to M. Kern: .. 1 Text and translation from British Parliamentary Papers, Affairs of Italy [2702], p. 6. |