that each Canton should send one deputy to the general Diet; that they should have definite instructions and powers of attorney, and should not vote against their instructions. The functions of the Diet were declared to be: 1. To proclaim war or peace, and conclude foreign alliances, which required the consent of three-fourths of the Diet. 2. To fix regulations for foreign commerce, capitulations in foreign service, and the recruiting of soldiers. 3. To levy the contingent, appoint commanders of the armed forces, and the foreign ambassadors. 4. To adopt measures of external utility and settle disputes between one Canton and another. The act concluded in these terms: “The present act, the result of long conference with enlightened persons, appears to us the best that could be devised for the constitution and happiness of the Swiss. As soon as it is carried into execution the French troops shall withdraw. We recognize Helvetia as organized by this act as an independent power, and guarantee the Federal constitution, and that of each Canton in particular, against the enemies of the tranquillity of the state.” This act for the remainder of Napoleon’s reign settled the condition of the Helvetic Confederacy; and although it was peaceful and prosperous, the Act of Mediation was felt to be the work of a foreigner and master, and it fell with the extinction of his power. Here French readjustments came to an end, and after the Congress of Vienna, March, 1815, guaranteed the neutrality of Switzerland, there followed in November of the same year the Federal Pact. This was a looser confederation, and in many respects a return to the state of things previous to the French Revolution, and restored to the Cantons a large portion of their former sovereignty. There continued to be a _Tagsatzung_, or Diet for general affairs, consisting of “ambassadors from the sovereign estates,” meaning the Cantons, each Canton still having only one voice, and three-fourths of the votes being necessary for war or peace and treaties with foreign powers; but in other matters of business an absolute majority decides. It fixes the rate of troops and taxes for federal purposes; gives every Canton the right to demand defence against internal and external force; provides for the settlement of disputes between the Cantons; puts an end to all dependent territory and exclusive possession of rights by a class of citizens; and continues the old plan of having a _Vorort_. Military capitulations and conventions concerning affairs of police or public economy may be made by single Cantons, provided they oppose no federal principles, nor existing league, nor cantonal rights. Ambassadors from the league may be sent to foreign powers when their appointment is thought necessary. In extraordinary cases the _Vorort_ may be invested with especial powers, and a committee can be appointed, composed of the officer of the _Vorort_, who is intrusted