Mr. Fogg to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the biennial elections for the renewal of the national councils have just been held in all the cantons throughout the Swiss confederation. I have the pleasure to add, also, that they have taken place without any undue excitement, and in a manner everywhere highly creditable to the whole people of Switzerland and to the liberal republican institutions under which they live.
This election derives its national importance from the fact that upon the body just elected, in addition to being the popular law-making branch of its government, devolves the duty of designating the executive of the confederation, the members of the federal council for the ensuing three years, commencing with the first of January next.
In a very few districts the people failed to make a choice and subsequent elections will be held. But they will in no respect vary the general result already ascertained, which is regarded as a popular indorsement of the men and measures of the present liberal administration.
One important change, however, in the personnel of the present federal council will take place, by the voluntary retirement of Mr. Staempfli, who was last year, and has been during several previous years, president of the confederation. Mr. Staempfli retires to accept the direction-in-chief of an extensive banking institution just established at Berne. The reasons he assigns for withdrawing from the government is the duty of providing for the wants of a growing family, a duty which the small salary accorded to the members of the federal council and to the president of the confederation would not enable him to fulfil.
This step of Mr. Staempfli, though not working any present change in the policy or spirit of the government of the confederation, is deemed to be not without its importance, from the fact that he has been, for a series of years—indeed, ever since the adoption of the federal constitution—the man of most influence and power in Switzerland.
With the highest respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States of America.