PROCLAMATION of the Sovereignty of the Canton of Vaud (PSVD) (PSVD)

1. CITIZENS,

The members of the Commission, appointed by Article V of Title I of the Act of Mediation, convened in Lausanne, the canton's capital, on March 10th of the current year.

The Commission has been constituted.

It shall oversee the administration of the canton until the appointment of the Petit Conseil, to which it will transfer its powers.

As of March 10th, the provisional Helvetic central authorities have been dissolved, and the cantonal authorities deriving from them have ceased to exist.

The Administrative Chamber shall nonetheless continue its functions under the authority of the Commission.

The lieutenant of the prefect shall provisionally perform the duties of the prefect, and the sub-prefects of districts are provisionally maintained as agents of the Commission and charged with the execution of its decrees.

The courts of the canton and of the districts remain active until the constitutional organization of the court of appeal and the judicial power.

CITIZENS,

Under the guarantee of the Act of Mediation and by virtue of the powers it confers upon it

THE COMMISSION PROCLAIMS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE CANTON OF VAUD.

At the time of the revolution, the canton recovered its liberty; but under the system of unity, it had to deposit the major part of its rights in the hands of the central authorities, where they were exercised in common with those of the other cantons.

Henceforth, the Canton of Vaud shall form a State called to govern itself under the auspices of a Helvetic Diet, protector of general independence, of the rights of the cantons, and of the maintenance of cantonal constitutions.

Undoubtedly, all hearts will respond with fervor to the announcement of these happy destinies.

The Commission joins in the expressions of common joy, and shares it.

But, citizens, would the passage of the Vaudois people to the fullness of its emancipation only grant it the satisfactions of pride? The Commission holds sweeter hopes. Calm henceforth, and confident in the authorities that the constitution will have created, having nothing more to fear for its independence, surrounded by legitimate means to resist aggressions from within and without, the Vaudois people shall joyfully enter the paths of justice and honor, never to deviate therefrom.

CITIZENS,

The Commission shall tirelessly work on the implementation of the constitution. It presents to you the authentic act thereof under the guarantee of the French government. Receive its benefit with gratitude. Consider yourselves fortunate to receive it from a friendly and impartial hand. Never could the results of the opinions that divide you have provided one that would have met all hopes and all interests. This one offers you great advantages. But what no one must forget is that it commands the silence of all passions and that it will be powerfully protected.

The Commission will transmit further instructions to the municipalities regarding the tasks they must share for the implementation of the constitution.

It requires from them the greatest exactitude and diligence in all the duties with which they will be charged.