s guaranteed, and unity was provided for in the
coinage, the postal service, and the penal law. A government of ample
powers was set up, with its seat at Lucerne, its organs comprising a
Grand Council of deputies elected indirectly in the cantons in
proportion to population, a Senate of four delegates from each canton
(together with retiring members of the Directory), and an Executive
Directory of five members, with whom were associated, for (p. 407)
administrative purposes, four appointed heads of departments. The
French intervention was ruthless and the governmental order thrust
upon the Swiss had no root in national tradition or interest. The
episode served, however, to break the shackles of mediaevalism and thus
to contribute to the eventual establishment of a modernized
nationality. July 2, 1802, following a series of grave civil
disturbances, the constitution of 1798 was superseded by a new but
similar instrument, which was imposed by force despite an adverse
popular vote.[582]

[Footnote 581: To these districts, however, the
name canton was applied; and, indeed, this was the
first occasion upon which the name was employed
officially in Switzerland.]

[Footnote 582: McCrackan, Rise of the Swiss
Republic, 295-312; A. von Tillier, Geschichte der
helvetischen Republik, 3 vols. (Bern, 1843); Muret,
L'Invasion de la Suisse en 1798 (Lausanne,
1881-1884); L. Marsauche, La confederation
helvetique (Neuchatel, 1890).]

*449. The Act of Mediation, 1803.*--Under the circumstances reaction was
inevitable, and the triumph of the "federalists" came more speedily
than might have been expected. In deference to preponderating
sentiment in the territories, Napoleon, February 19, 1803, promulgated
the memorable Act of Mediation, whereby he authorized the
re-establishment of a political system that was essentially
federal.[583] Once again there was set up a loose confederation, under
a constitution which, however, provided for a central government that
was distinctly more substantial than that which had prevailed prior to
1798. The right, for example, to make war and to conclude treaties,
withdrawn entirely from the individual cantons, was conferred
specifically upon the federal Diet. To the thirteen original cantons
were added six ne