§ Mr. Broughamsaid, that seeing the right hon. Secretary for foreign affairs in his place, he wished to ask him a question, founded upon intelligence which had reached him from sources which, if not authentic, were at least entitled to great attention. His information related to alleged occurrences respecting Switzerland, and was a further apparent development of the system of the holy alliance. Notwithstanding all that the Swiss cantons had done to court the favour and avert the anger of the allied powers, by refusing a domicile within their territory to those political refugees who sought an asylum within them 440 from the persecution of their own governments—these allies were said to be engaged in measures towards Switzerland, which, if all, or even any part of them were founded, furnished serious cause of alarm at the present crisis. He wished to ask, if any, and what communications had been made by the Austrian government to the cantons of Switzerland—at least, to one or more, if riot-to all of them—having for its object, the imposition of material changes in the internal condition of these cantons. One of these changes was said to be, the offer of the protectorate of an Austrian archduke; and, that Austria was willing to extend her care to the Swiss states, not only politically, but ecclesiastically—that she wished to assume Spiritual, as Well as temporal jurisdiction over them, and to dictate a change in the ecclesiastical constitution of the cantons, by nominating the Catholic bishops in these Protestant states. This alteration, if not insisted upon, had, he had heard, at least been proposed. The cession of Geneva to the king of Sardinia was also mentioned as a part of the new propositions. The whole, or a part of these demands had, as he was informed, been communicated to the French government, and they were asked, if they would like to see the influence and power of Austria predominate in Switzerland. The reply of the French government was, as he understood, that certainly it was against their wishes, their interest, and their ancient policy, to see such a predominating power established in Switzerland; but it was still less their wish to see such a neighbouring territory as it now was; the focus of jacobinism. These were the reports which had reached him, and he had, since he entered the House, heard that a noble person had in another place, inquired whether his majesty's government were informed of any treaty signed last March, by the three allied powers, upon which was founded the intended military occupation of Switzerland by Austria. His information did not go so far as this treaty, or the military occupation said to be founded upon it: but, even the least part of the lesser statement, if founded in fact, was much too much. It showed clearly the character of the allied power, and gave a foretaste of the bitter fruits of the policy of this country, in abdicating the power of using an effectual interposition for the maintenance, of international freedom.
§ Mr. Canningsaid, that if the least part of the lesser statement of the hon. and learned gentleman was much too much, it might be a satisfaction to him to know, that that least part was much more than his majesty's government were informed of.