the treaty was subscribed in Luzern by twelve states
and all the places subject to them, and at the same diet the resolution
was passed, to make a last general endeavor, to prevent Zurich from
withdrawing by herself.

It is mentioned by Bullinger and all his contemporaries that Zwingli
spoke out decidedly against this treaty from the pulpit and whenever he
found opportunity; and they seem to infer from the strength and
clearness of papers concerning it issued from Zurich, that he had the
chief hand in their composition. But the Confederates worked against
him with just as much zeal. Not only did envoys from Bern, Luzern, Uri,
Unterwalden, Zug and Solothurn, along with the French ambassador
Lameth, present, in the name of all the others, petitions, expressions
of regard, and even hints at grievous consequences in case of a
refusal, but written letters came also from the rural districts and
congregations, demanding a subscription of the treaty. Albert von Stein
and others like him, were seen traveling repeatedly from place to place
throughout the canton.

Under these circumstances the government resorted to a natural
expedient. It declared that it must first hear the voice of the people,
and then the great council would decide.

Members of the council were sent into all the bailiwicks, to lay before
the assembled commons, first the treaty itself, and then, a written
explanation of its several articles, and ask their patient examination
of it, and also a communication of their views, in writing, to the
government. With the league and its significance to the Confederacy the
more circumstantial history of the country begins. On the contrary, the
real voice of the people ought to be plain to us from the answers of
the commons. The records may be quoted in the true-hearted language of
the time, and a beginning made with Winterthur.

"On notice brought by our worthy lords, the knight Felix Grebel,
Younker Conrad Engelhard and Master Henry Wegmann, who as ambassadors
of our gracious, loving lords, the burgomaster, and the Small and Great
Councils of the city of Zurich, have sufficiently informed, by written
instructions, my lords, the Schultheiss, and the Small and Great
Councils of the city of Winterthur concerning the alliance--it is true:
my lords, the Schultheiss, and the Small and Great Councils, would have
thought advice from them unnecessary, since they have already given it
to our lords, the burgomaster, and the Cou