et feel bound to uphold the _Landfriede_, which we indeed
have never violated, but always observed, for you are aware how
urgently we were solicited to pay over the money alluded to, lest
further disturbance might arise therefrom--and hence we demand and
exhort you, by our federal compact and the _Landfriede_, of which you
yourselves are parties, to aid and support us in teaching the Zurichers
and their adherents, that they must observe these treaties, according
to their plain letter, and let a majority be a majority, as they are
bound to do by all law, human and divine, and that you proceed therein
with such earnestness, as becomes good Confederates; for we will no
longer endure any more violence of this sort. If no improvement takes
place, we will seek out ways and means, to protect ourselves from
injustice and abide by our own people. In this may the Holy Trinity aid
us! Now, we desire from you a final answer, whether you will help us to
our rights. If not, we will attend no more sessions of the General
Diet, and with the best feelings do not conceal it from you."

Of all the charges made by the Five Cantons, Zurich applied none to
herself. She had never violated nor attacked their rights in worldly
things, even in the remotest manner. How could she then pledge herself
to restore these rights? The whole dispute had arisen from an
incorrect, forced interpretation of the _Landfriede_ by the Five
Cantons. The governments did not stand opposed to each other in
religious matters, and the freedom of the Gospel or its limitation was
not to be decided by a majority of the ruling powers in the
Territories. The _Landfriede_ itself guaranteed the former; _therefore_
Zurich maintained, that she stood here also on perfectly legal ground;
and, in respect to the governorship of St. Gall, had acted likewise in
the spirit of this _Landfriede_, so that, if the Luzernese governor was
not willing to comply with the conditions of Zurich, it was not her
fault.

From these declarations of the parties, it is evident that the task of
mediator was not an easy one. A new event occurred, to render it still
more difficult. At the north-eastern extremity of Lake Como, stood the
strongly-fortified mountain-castle of Musso. It was then occupied by
Jacob Midicis, a bold and skillful adventurer, who had played an active
part in the earlier Italian wars. Supported by his hired bands, he
frequently sailed forth from his hiding-place, to the great dist