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to appease the legitimate discontent of the people-to advise reforms which, in reconciling the inhabitants of the Roman States with the Pontifical Government, should obviate the necessity of France herself returning, or leaving Austria to go to alternatives equally to be regretted by all the world. France could dispute the right of the Romans to overthrow in the name of the sovereignty the temporal authority of the Pope, necessary to Christian Europe, but could not dispute the right of having an equitable, enlightened Government conformable to the spirit of our times. Pius the Ninth understands these truths perfectly, and the first act which emanates from his deliberations is the motu proprio, which has been the subject of such animated discussion. . . By a great majority your Commission declares that she perceives in the motu proprio a primary and real good, of which nothing but an unjust prejudice can misconstrue the value. It gives a degree of municipal and provincial liberty which is desirable; but, so far as regards political liberty, it does not accord the power of deciding on the affairs of a country in one or two Assemblies in concert with the Executive Power, as in England for instance; or at least, it gives no more than the first rudiments of such institutions, under the form of a deliberative Privy Council. Municipal and provincial liberties are a first education, which it is useful that a people should pass through before they are prematurely and violently thrown into the stormy career of political liberty. In a word, the motu proprio guarantees to the Romans the advantages of a Go

rnment wisely liberal, and the

word of Pius is sufficient to put an end to all doubts. The counsels of France must be directed to making this motu proprio efficacious; and above all, to the extension of the Pontiff's clemency to all who can be included in the armistice without danger to public order. This must be the work of an influence persevered in with patience, with calmness, and respect; an influence which commonly constitutes, we repeat, an inadmissible pretension if the direct necessity does not oblige us to exercise it, but which, confined within proper bounds, is perfectly compatible with the independence and dignity of the Holy See."

The report finished with the following answer to the question, How much longer must the expedition remain in Rome?" It is impossible to state the moment when the Pope will be able to dispense with our army, in a country which has been the scene of such recent commotions."

The publication of the report was followed by some important events. The President of the Republic had a short time previously addressed a non-official note to M. Edgar Ney, in which he had expressed his admiration at the conduct of the French troops in the Roman expedition, and his warm approval of the policy that led to the campaign. This note had found its way into the public journals, and occasioned a good deal of observation and comment. It was supposed that Louis Napoleon was considerably piqued by a total absence of any allusion to it in the report drawn up by M. Thiers; but of course he did not assign this as a reason for his dissent from the tone of that document. He complained rather

of the reactionary spirit in which it seemed to have been framed, and in this view he was supported in his Cabinet by MM. Odillon Barrot and Dufaure. On the other hand the two Ministers, M. de Falloux and General Ruhlières took the side of M. Thiers, and the difference of opinion became so great that these two members of the Cabinet soon afterwards resigned. This was followed by an entire break up of the Odillon Barrot Ministry at the end of October. None of the members enjoyed the entire confidence of the President, and he dismissed them from their posts with some appearance of precipitancy and abruptness. The reasons assigned by him for this step were stated in a communication which he addressed to M. Dupin, the President of the Legislative Assembly, and they were as follows:

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"In order to strengthen the Republic, menaced by anarchy from so many sides-to insure order more efficiently than has been done up to this day-to maintain abroad the name of France at the height of her renown-men are needed, who, animated by a patriotic devotedness, comprehend the necessity of a direction single and firm, and of a clearly-defined policy, which does not compromise power by any irresolution; men whose minds are as much filled with the conviction of my peculiar responsibility as of their own, men of action as well as words.

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of the most contrary opinions to arrive at power; but without obtaining the happy result which I expected from that union. place of effecting a fusion of different shades of opinion, I only arrived at a neutralization of forces.

"The unity of views and intentions was interfered with, and the spirit of conciliation taken for weakness. Scarcely had the dangers of the street been got over when the old parties were seen again to elevate their colours, revive their rivalries, and alarm the country by disseminating disquietude.

"In the midst of this confusion, France, uneasy because she sees no guidance, seeks the hand, the will of the elected of the 10th of December. But that will cannot be felt unless there be entire community of ideas, of views, and of convictions between the President and his Ministers; and unless the Assembly itself join in the thought of the nation as expressed in the election of the Executive Power.

"A whole system triumphed on the 10th of December; for the name of Napoleon is a complete programme in itself. It means at home, order, authority, religion, and the welfare of the people; abroad, national dignity. It is this policy, inaugurated by my election, that I wish to make triumph, with the support of the Assembly and that of the people. I wish to merit the confidence of the people by maintaining the Constitution to which I have sworn. I wish to inspire in the country, by my loyalty, my perseverance, and my firmuess, a confidence such that affairs may resume their course, and that faith may be had in the future.

"The letter of a Constitution has certainly a great influence on the destiny of the country, but the manner in which it is executed has perhaps even more. The longer or shorter duration of power contributes powerfully to the stability of things; but it is also by displaying ideas and principles that a Government can succeed in persuading society to reassure itself." The names of the new Ministry were announced in a decree signed by the President of the Republic without the countersignature of any Minister. It was in the following terms:

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In the name of the French People, the President of the Republic decrees the following:

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Article 1. The resignation of the Ministers is accepted.

"Article 2. Are appointed Ministers-General d'Hautpoul, of War; M. de Rayneval, of Foreign Affairs; M. Ferdinand Barrot, of the Interior; M. Rouher, of Justice; M. Bineau, of Public Works; M. Parieu, of Public Instruction and Worship; M. Dumas, of Agriculture and Commerce; M. Achille Fould, of Finance; Rear-Admiral Romain Desfosses, of Marine.

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thought proper to use his constitutional initiative. We shall not certainly be precluded from seeking in the acts of the Cabinet that preceded us, more than one example of glorious devotedness to the country, and of an exalted appreciation of its interests.

"In the situation which had been made for us, all individual sympathy ought to be silenced, or rather to give itself up, in adhesion to a single and solemn testimony of friendship and gratitude.

"The future had been pointed out to us, and we became convinced of the urgency of providing for it.

"The new Cabinet, as our antecedents sufficiently indicated, has not been formed against the majority. On the contrary, it developes with energy the avowed principles of that majority. It has and cannot have any other.

"We must maintain the union of all shades in one party-the party to save France. We shall arrive at that result by a unity of views; by confidence in the strength of the power elected on the 10th of December, resting on the majority of this Assembly; and, finally, by the imperious sentiment of duty awakened everywhere in the minds of the func tionaries of the State.

"Such is the object which the Chief of the Government has invited us to pursue with him; putting according to his right, nobly understood, his responsibility along with ours, in that difficult but patriotic effort.

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Peace abroad, guaranteed by the dignity becoming to France; persevering maintenance of order at home; an administration more than ever vigilant and economical of the finances of the State; such

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CHAPTER XI.

PORTUGAL.-Royal Speech at Opening of Cortes-Change of Ministry. HOLLAND.-Royal Speech at Opening of Session of States-GeneralDeath of the King of Holland.

SARDINIA.-Opening of the Sardinian Chambers-Protest addressed to Foreign Powers by the President of the Ministry-Resignation of Gioberti-Programme by the New Cabinet-Expiration of the Armistice with Austria-Determination of Sardinia to renew the struggle— Proclamation by Marshal Radetzky-Operations of the Campaign— Advance of Radetzky upon Turin-Battle of Novara, and defeat of the Piedmontese-Abdication of the King-New Ministry-Terms of the Armistice between Sardinia and Austria-Hostile temper of the Assembly-Excitement at Genoa-Insurrectionary Movements-Genoa declared in a state of siege-The City surrenders to General Marmora -Ineffectual resistance of other Italian towns-Dissolution of the Sardinian Chambers-Manifesto by the King Victor Emmanuel to the Nation.

TUSCANY.-Opening of the Legislative Chambers-Flight of the Grand Duke-Provisional Government appointed-Recall of the Duke, and New Ministry.

VENICE.-Blockade and Bombardment of the City.-Surrender to the Austrians.

ROME.-Supreme Junta appointed-Protest of the Pope-Demonstration in honour of the Constituent Assembly-Threat of Excommunication by the Pope-Mazzini invited to Rome-Remonstrances of Spain and Austria-Holy Office abolished at Rome--The Austrians enter Ferrara -Firm attitude of the Constituent Assembly-French Expedition under General Oudinot lands at Civita Vecchia-Advance upon Rome and temporary Repulse-Negotiations between M. Lesseps, the French Plenipotentiary, and the Triumvirate-Able Remonstrance of the latter -Prosecution of the Siege of Rome-The French attack the City-It finally surrenders-General Rostolan_appointed Governor-Three Cardinal Commissioners sent by the Pope-Motu Proprio of the Pope.

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ORTUGAL.-On the 2nd of January, the Portuguese Cortes was opened with the following Royal speech :

"Worthy Peers of the Realm, and Gentlemen Deputies of the Portuguese Nation,

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With extreme pleasure I again

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