others in an attempt to carry off the food denied
them, by force of arms; the Catholic _landvogt_ in the free bailiwicks
had already seized on a wagon of salt at Bremgarten. A troop of
auxiliaries, obtained by Luzern through the mediation of the Nuncio and
paid by the Pope, was known to be on the march from Italy. In a long
manifesto, addressed to the Confederates, and especially her own
subjects in city and country, the government enumerated her just
grievances against the Five Cantons, replied, as far as she was able,
to their complaints against Zurich, offered once more to accept the
_Landfriede_, in the sense in which she understood and could only
interpret it, and to raise the prohibition, as soon as the insolent
calumniators were punished, absolved herself, if this were not done,
from all the consequences, and concluded with these words: "We live in
the firm and assured hope, that you, our dear subjects, will be equally
concerned with us about the above-named scandal, abuse, contempt and
despising of our faith and of the Divine Word, and other injuries done
us, contrary to the federal compact and the _Landfriede_, and that you
will honestly and fairly fulfill, as a loyal people, the offers and
promises you have made us; moreover, do not doubt that we, your lords
and rulers, will act toward you in all honor, friendship, fidelity,
love and kindness, and not forsake you in the hour of need; because we
are not seeking our own advantage, but the honor of God, and after
that, of the Common Confederacy, of our city and canton, and then the
honor, fame, profit and welfare of you all." Rudolf Lavater, _landvogt_
of Kyburg, was appointed commander-in-chief, called into the city and
full authority given to him, the banneret Schweizer and T[oe]nig,
captain of the artillery, to admit, if they saw fit, others into their
council, to call out the soldiery, and to march to battle, as soon as
they found it necessary; in short, to do everything needful "to protect
and save the interests and honor of the canton." A commission to this
effect was handed over to Lavater. But with that effort all power
seemed to be exhausted. As if with the commission all responsibility
had been shifted from their shoulders to those of others, neither
firmness, promptitude, nor unanimity were to be found in the Councils.
Indeed there existed traces of actual treason. Scarcely did an order go
forth from one side to the rural districts, before it was followe