66 Diplomacy, ever darkling in its intrigues, ventured on the stroke of tearing the Pontiff from us, in order that through his remoteness internal disturbances might be kindled, the Capital and the Provinces split into factions, and a civil war commenced, which might afford a pretext for calling in foreign arms, under the mask of restoring order. These intrigues have failed of success, because the people have known how to maintain a truly admirable behaviour. A second step has been attempted; attempted through the medium of this document.* It is our part to endeavour, that this second proceeding likewise may fail to afford any plea for attaining so culpable an end; but at the same time we must devise such provisions as may preserve the integrity of our rights and those of the people, and may consolidate that freedom to which the people have a title, not conferred by Princes, but the gift of God." Having thus spoken, he invited the Deputies to state such proposals as they might consider opportune; and, after a long discussion, the following, moved by Pantaleoni, and in some parts amended by Canino, and by Armellini, were adopted. "1. That the Council of Deputies notices, that the document which purports to have been signed by the Pontiff at Gaeta, on the 27th of November, has not on that account any character either of authenticity, or of regular publication; and that even if it were not defective in this point, yet as it does not in any manner satisfy the conditions of constitutional rule, to which the Sovereign is no less subject than the Nation, attention accordingly cannot be paid to it: while on the other hand, the Council, being bound to defer to the law of necessity, and to the need of having a government, declares that the existing ministers shall continue in the exercise of all their functions, until other provision shall be made. *The Protest from Gaeta. "2. That a Deputation of the Council be sent forthwith to his Holiness to invite him either to return to Rome, or through some other means to supply the void created by the absence of the Head of the Executive. 3. That the High Council be invited to make a like declaration, and to contribute some of its members to make up the Deputation which is to be dispatched to His Holiness. "4. That a Proclamation be addressed to the people of Rome and of the States, to apprise them of the measures taken by the Council of Deputies; and likewise to the Civic Guards, to enjoin upon them the defence of public order, and the maintenance of the liberties and fundamental laws of the State." The Deputation to His Holiness was composed of Professor Rezzi, an Abate of Rome, and Doctor Fusconi of Ravenna; and, by a new Proclamation, the people were informed of the resolutions that had been adopted. On the 4th, the High Council likewise determined, after a short debate, that the Ministry should continue to exercise its authority, that a Deputation should be sent to the Holy Father, and a Proclamation addressed to the people and to the Civic force, to acquaint them of the good understanding between the Councils and the Ministers, and to keep them to their allegiance. Monsignor Mertel and the Marquis Paolucci were chosen for the deputation to the Pope. The Municipality of Rome, too, resolved to send its first magistrate, the Senator Corsini, to the Sovereign; and the three Deputations, in full concert with the Ministry, determined upon setting out at once for Gaeta, with the intention of making known to the measures, Pontiff the condition of the city, of stating to him that his proclamation, instead of soothing, had exasperated the public, and of requesting and beseeching that he would make up his mind to try conciliatory and would return to the capital, or else select for his residence some other city of his dominions; or that if he would do neither, he would at least appoint a Commission of Government, with such powers as would enable it to supply the place of the Sovereign during his absence, according to the rules and usages of Constitutional States. These Deputations were likewise to vindicate the Assemblies against whatever charges might have been laid to their account; to point out, that they had been obliged to acknowledge those Ministers who had come before them with letters of nomination subscribed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, and to re-affirm their title, in order to avoid greater evils, with greater troubles and excesses. These envoys were persons of such a description, that it might reasonably be hoped they would be well received, both on their own account, and on account of the errand on which they went. The Prince Tommaso Corsini, now four-score, could not be suspected of revolutionary and democratic opinions, although he might seem more pliable to popular caprice and to the airs of democracy, than suited the gravity of his age and rank. As Senator of Rome, he represented at the feet of the Pontiff the city which had offered him injury and violence. Monsignor Mertel, a Prelate, member of the Council of State and of the High Council, was deemed a person of moderate opinions and good understanding; and no one called in question his entire respect and loyalty to his Pontiff and Sovereign. The Marquis Paolucci, of Forlì, a man who had grown grey in public business, and in office both municipal and political, was known for his probity and temperate disposition, as well as for his unshaken allegiance to the Holy See. The Abate Rezzi, an ex-Jesuit, Librarian to Corsini, a professor of elocution, had, it is true, since innovation had gathered an impetus, given signs of liberal opinions, yet no one could hold him for a lover of dangerous change. Doctor Fusconi, of Ravenna, an exile in 1821, then in 1827, then in 1831, had but recently returned from the Ionian Islands, where he had spent sixteen years of banishment in making honourable provision for his character and livelihood, by the practice of medicine, and by his upright conduct: on his arrival in Rome, he had so behaved as to retain credit with the moderate party, and to acquire the esteem of the Sovereign and the Court, without becoming odious to the democrats. The Deputation thus composed set out for Gaeta early on the 5th of December. CHAP. II. ACCOUNT OF THE POPE'S DEPARTURE FROM ROME.— OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES OF THE OCCURRENCES OF THE 16TH OF NOVEMBER.—THE FOREIGN MINISTERS. THE DUC D'HARCOURT.-MARTINEZ DE LA ROSA.- COUNT SPAUR.-HIS WIFE.— PARETO.-BARGAGLI.— PADRE VENTURA.— CASTELLANI, THE VENETIAN ENVOY. — HIS PRUDENT PROCEEDINGS, AND THOSE OF HIS GOVERNMENT.-TEXT OF AN ADDRESS FROM MANIN TO THE POPE.- AUTOGRAPH NOTE OF THE POPE TO VENICE. LETTER ADDRESSED BY CASTELLANI TO THE POPE. -NOTICE OF OTHER LETIERS AND PROCEEDINGS OF HIS. — REMARKS UPON THEM.— PARAGRAPH FROM A LETTER OF CASTELLANI ON THE EVENTS OF NOV. 15 AND 16. OTHER EXTRACTS FROM HIS OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE. - IDEAS AND PLANS OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND SOME CONSTITUTIONALISTS. SUSPICIONS AND CARDINAL WATCHFULNESS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PARTY. DEFINITIVE PREPARATIONS AND DECISIONS. -POLITICAL REMARKS. - OCCASION AFFORDED TO THE FOREIGN POWERS TO TURN TO THEIR OWN ACCOUNT THE EVENTS AT ROME. PARTICULARS RESPECTING THE JOUR NEY OF THE POPE AND HIS ATTENDANTS. -- TICISM. ARRIVAL AT GAETA. THE KING OF NAPLES. DISPATCH OF THE PROTEST, AND ACCOMPANYING MEASURES. LETTER NOMINATING THE PONTIFICAL COMMISSIONERS. THE DEPUTIES OF THE PARLIAMENT AND MUNICIPALITY REPELLED FROM THE NEAPOLITAN FRONTIER. THEIR REPRESENTATION TO CARDINAL ANTONELLI AND HIS REPLY. - REMARKS THEREON. BEFORE our narrative follows the track of the Deputies, now on their way from Rome to the Pope, it is right to give some further detailed account of the preparations, views, and incidents connected with c 4 |