The intervention of the Directory in the affairs of Switzerland was equally lucrative.  The inhabitants of the district of Vaud, in their struggles against the oppressive rule of the Bernese oligarchy, had offered to the French Government the excuse for interference:  and a force invading that land, overpowered the levies of the central cantons.[96] The imposition of a centralized form of government modelled on that of France, the wresting of Geneva from this ancient confederation, and its incorporation with France, were not the only evils suffered by Switzerland.  Despite the proclamation of General Brune that the French came as friends to the descendants of William Tell, and would respect their independence and their property, French commissioners proceeded to rifle the treasuries of Berne, Zuerich, Solothurn, Fribourg, and Lucerne of sums which amounted in all to eight and a half million francs; fifteen millions were extorted in forced contributions and plunder, besides 130 cannon and 60,000 muskets which also became the spoils of the liberators.[97] The destination of part of the treasure was already fixed; on April 13th Bonaparte wrote an urgent letter to General Lannes, directing him to expedite the transit of the booty to Toulon, where three million francs were forthwith expended on the completion of the armada.

This letter, and also the testimony of Madame de Stael, Barras, Bourrienne, and Mallet du Pan, show that he must have been a party to this interference in Swiss affairs, which marks a debasement, not only of Bonaparte’s character, but of that of the French army and people.  It drew from Coleridge, who previously had seen in the Revolution the dawn of a nobler era, an indignant protest against the prostitution of the ideas of 1789: 

  “Oh France that mockest Heaven, adulterous, blind,
  Are these thy boasts, champion of human kind? 
  To mix with Kings in the low lust of sway,
  Yell in the hunt and join the murderous prey? ... 
  The sensual and the dark rebel in vain
  Slaves by their own compulsion.  In mad game
  They burst their manacles:  but wear the name
  Of Freedom, graven on a heavier chain.”

The occupation by French troops of the great central bastion of the European system seemed a challenge, not only to idealists, but to German potentates.  It nearly precipitated a rupture with Vienna, where the French tricolour had recently been torn down by an angry crowd.  But Bonaparte did his utmost to prevent a renewal of war that would blight his eastern prospects; and he succeeded.  One last trouble remained.  At his final visit to the Directory, when crossed about some detail, he passionately threw up his command.  Thereupon Rewbell, noted for his incisive speech, drew up the form of resignation, and presenting it to Bonaparte, firmly said, “Sign, citizen general.”  The general did not sign, but retired from the meeting apparently crestfallen, but really meditating a coup d’etat.  This last statement rests on the evidence of Mathieu Dumas, who heard it through General Desaix, a close friend of Bonaparte; and it is clear from the narratives of Bourrienne, Barras, and Madame Junot that, during his last days in Paris, the general was moody, preoccupied, and fearful of being poisoned.