M. Sella then argued to show that the co-existence of the Pope and his institutions in the Leonine city with the King, the Government, and Parliament, on the left Bank of the Tiber, would not be productive of more inconvenience and embarrassment, than would arise by leaving Rome as the Pope's exclusive residence, but giving rights and privileges of Italian nationality to the Roman citizens. I do not know that I was convinced by his Excellency's reasoning; but it cannot be denied that by the adoption of Rome as capital of Italy, one difficulty will be brought to an end, viz., that which arises from the jealousy and bickering which now prevail, and always will prevail in Italy, in regard to the question of the capital so long as it is fixed in any town but Rome, and I must further add that, at the stage at which things have now arrived, I believe it would be difficult for the Government not to give effect to the general wishes of the country in regard to this question. I am not sure, however, that there is complete unanimity in the Cabinet on the subject of the immediate transfer. No. 42. I have, &c. My Lord, Sir A. Paget to Earl Granville.-(Received September 28.) Florence, September 24, 1870. A BELGIAN Priest, M. de Gerlach, called upon me this morning in company with M. Louis Piché, the Aumcnier of the Canadian Zouaves late in the service of the Pope. M. Piché wished me to ascertain and inform him where he could find the Zouaves, and what dispositions had been taken by the Italian Government for their security, and for their return to their country in virtue of the stipulations of the Act of Capitulation signed between General Cadorna and General Kanzler. I called upon M. Visconti Venosta for the purpose of making these inquiries. From the information in the possession of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, it appeared that the Canadian Zouaves had been sent to Porto Ferraio. They were under the protection of the local authorities; their repatriation would be effected according to the terms of the Capitulation, though the precise manner of doing so was not known by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Further inquiries on this subject were, by M. Visconti Venosta's orders, addressed to the Ministry of the Interior. It was suggested whether, if they were sent to Malta, this would not be sufficient. I said Malta was not Canada, and that I much doubted if Her Majesty's Government would be disposed to undertake the charge of their conveyance thence to their native land. It appears that the Belgian and Dutch Governments have appointed a delegate to superintend the repatriation of Belgian and Dutch subjects. The expense, however, will be borne by the Italian Government, if it is applied for. M. de Gerlach left me a copy of the capitulation, and I have the honour to inclose it herewith, presuming it to be correct. The 3rd Article applies to the repatriation of the foreign troops, and makes no distinction between those who are and those who are not able to pay their own passage. It is to be for all "per cura del Governo Italiano." This afternoon late, I received from the Foreign Office a note inclosing a communication, of which I transmit a translation, from the Ministry of the Interior, from which it appears that 186 Canadians are at Leghorn and not at Porto Ferraio, and that the terms of the capitulation will be scrupulously observed. I immediately sent to M. Piché's hotel; but he had already left for Leghorn en route to Porto Ferraio. I have therefore telegraphed to the Acting British Consul, Mr. Inglis, to acquaint him with the information I have received. I have told Mr. Inglis to report to me if he succeeds in delivering my message, and if M. Piché remains in Leghorn, in which case I will send him a copy of the communication from the Ministry of the Interior. I have, &c. (Translation) Inclosure 1 in No. 42. Terms of Capitulation of Rome.. Capitulation of Rome, stipulated between the General in Command of the Troops of His Majesty the King of Italy and the Commander of the Pontifical Army, represented respectively by the Undersigned. Villa Albano, September 20, 1870. 1. THE City of Rome (except that part of it which is bounded on the south by the bastions of Santo Spirito, and comprises the Vatican Hill and the Castle of St. Angelo, and constitutes the Leonine City), the whole of its garrison, colours, arms, and powdermagazines, and all Government property, shall be consigned to the troops of His Majesty the King of Italy. 2. The whole garrison shall issue forth with the honours of war, with their colours, arms, and baggage. After being received with military honours, they shall give up their colours and arms. The officers will retain their swords, horses, and all their property. The foreign troops shall issue first and be followed by the others according to their order of battle, the left to the front. The garrison shall issue forth to-morrow morning at 7. 3. All the foreign troops shall be disbanded and at once sent to their homes at the charge ("per cura") of the Italian Government; they will be forwarded to-morrow towards the frontiers of their country. The Government reserves to itself the question of the propriety of taking into its consideration the claims for pensions which they may have in due form agreed upon with the Papal Government. 4. The native troops will be confined, without arms but with the property they at present possess, until the King's Government shall have decided what is to be done with them. 5. They will be sent to Civita Vecchia to-morrow. 6. A Commission will be named by both parties, composed of one Artillery officer, one Engineer officer, and a Commissariat functionary for the consignment mentioned in Article 1. Ratified and approved: (Signed) KANZLER, General in Command of the Roman Troops. d'Armée. (Translation.) Inclosure 2 in No. 42. Signor Cavallini to Sir A. Paget. AS far as is yet known to this Ministry, there are 186 Canadian prisoners at Leghorn. If I receive further information, I will communicate it at once. The terms of the Capitulation will be scrupulously observed. No. 43. My Lord, Mr. Jervoise to Earl Granville.-(Received October 4.) Rome, September 24, 1870. I HAVE the honour to transmit for your Lordship's information the accompanying documents: An extract from the "Italie" of the 21st instant, publishing the letter addressed by the King of Italy to the Pope, which was delivered to His Holiness by Count Ponza de San Martino; A copy of a letter addressed by the Pope to General Kanzler on the day previous to the bombardment of the city, instructing him to surrender as soon as a breach was made in the walls; A copy of the terms of capitulation, signed by General Cadorna and General Kanzler; both of these documents were sent to me yesterday morning by General Kanzler in compliance with the request I had made of him the previous evening when I saw him at the Vatican. Translations of these two documents are also inclosed herewith. I have further the honour to forward a copy of the first number of the "Gazzetta Ufficiale di Roma," which appeared last night. It contains, besides the Articles of Capitulation: 1. General Cadorna's Proclamation to the Romans telling them that their future is in their own hands, and thanking them for their reception, and for the preservation of order. 2. A Notification 1st. That General Cadorna exercises, in addition to military authority, supreme authority over all political and administrative departments. 2nd. That General Masi is charged with the preservation of public order, and superintendence of the departments of public security, and the telegraphic and postal services. 3rd. That the public administrations remain unchanged, and that their laws and regulations remain as before; officials who absent themselves will be considered as having resigned their posts. 4th. Sentences to be pronounced in the name of His Majesty King Victor Emmanuel II, "By the grace of God and will of the Nation, King of Italy." 5th. No alteration at present is made as to imposts, &c. 6th. Italian coin and notes of the "Banca Nazionale" are legal tender. 3. A summons from General Masi for the surrender of all arms, horses, and military effects, taken or bought from the Pontifical soldiers. 4. An appeal of General Cadorna to the people to return to their ordinary occupations. 5. An Ordinance of General Masi, retaining the present Tariff for public conveyances. 6. A Decree of the same instituting a Commission to revise the suits against political prisoners. 7. A Notification from General Cadorna publishing the names of a Council (Giunta) for the city of Rome. 8. A Decree of General Masi appointing a Commission, charged with the preservation of the Scientific Institutions, Libraries, Academies, Archives, Museums, and Galleries in Rome and the provinces. I have, &c. Letter addressed by the King of Italy to Pope Pius IX, September 8, 1870. [See Inclosure in No. 34.] Inclosure 2 in No. 43. Pope Pius IX to General Kanzler. (Translation.) General, Vatican, September 19, 1870. NOW when we are on the point of seeing accomplished a great sacrilege and the most extreme injustice; when the troops of a Catholic King without provocation,—on the contrary, without the appearance of any pretext,-closely besieges the capital of the Catholic world, I am impelled by a desire, in the first place, to thank yourself, General, and the whole of our troops for their noble behaviour, for the affection manifested to the Holy See, and for their earnestness in devoting themselves entirely to the defence of this metropolis. Let these words stand as a solemn document to certify to the discipline, loyalty, and bravery of the troops in the service of the Holy See. With regard to the duration of the defence, it is my duty to desire that it shall solely consist in a protest which shall suffice to prove the violence done, and nothing further, and that negotiations shall be opened for a surrender immediately a breach is opened. At a moment when the whole of Europe laments the immense number of victims consequent on a war between two great nations, it must not be said that the Vicar of Jesus Christ, however unjustly assailed, gave his consent to a great effusion of blood. Our cause is with God, and in his hands we place our defence. I bless from my heart you, General, and the whole of our troops. (Extract.) No. 44. Mr. Jervoise to Earl Granville.-(Received October 4.) Rome, September 27, 1870. DID time admit I should have wished to send to your Lordship a detailed account of the circumstances attending the capitulation of Civita Vecchia. I must ask your Lordship's kind indulgence, and content myself with transmitting in original a very interesting letter I have received from the Acting British Vice-Consul at that port, together with a copy of the terms of the Capitulation. Your Lordship will perceive that the same disorderly proceedings, and the same class of persons to foment them, were occupied there as afterwards appeared in Rome. Inclosure in No. 44. Acting Vice-Consul Sperandio to Mr. Jervoise. (Translation.) (Extract.) Civita Vecchia, September 22, 1870. THE interruption of the communications with Rome has been the cause of the stoppage of my reports. As the postal intercourse is now re-established, I think it will not be altogether useless if I give you a brief account of what has occurred here lately. On the entry of King Victor Emmanuel's troops into the Province of Viterbo, Colonel de Charrette, Commander of the Pontifical forces in that province, immediately fell back on Civita Vecchia, but in the neighbourhood of Corneto he was very near being cut off by the division of Bixio, which, having arrived by railway from the Tuscan border, was waiting for him at the place where he was to take the railway for Civita Vecchia. De Charrette, however, having got notice of this, by skilful manoeuvring made his way by cross-roads, and reached Civita Vecchia at 2 in the morning of the 14th, where he prepared for the defence. At daylight the armour-plated squadron of King Victor Emmanuel, consisting of eleven vessels, frigates and gun-boats, appeared before the port. In the afternoon the troops made their appearance and encamped on the heights surrounding Civita Vecchia. In this interval, however, Colonel de Charrette was summoned to Rome, together with the column which was under his orders, consequently there were but 600 or 700 men remaining. With such a scanty garrison, with little and bad artillery, any serious defence was impossible, and therefore the commander of the place would have wished to fire a few shots, then to hoist the white flag, and open the gates. But General Bixio would not listen to any such proposal; he declared that at the first shot fired from the fortress he would bring the fleet into action and level the city. It appears, however, that he was exceeding his powers in making such a threat, as I am assured that he had received no instructions to that effect; and it is, moreover, stated that the commanders of the ships in the fleet say that there were but very few guns on board their vessels, and no ammunition at all. Some hours were allowed for consideration. But the threat so terrified the population that they thought of nothing but saving their lives, and fled into the country. The boldest, however, or the partisans of King Victor Emmanuel, armed themselves and so threatened the Commander of the fortress that he, not being willing to use his arms against the citizens, was obliged to give way. It is to be observed, however, that, with few exceptions, all who so acted to bring about the surrender of the fortress are either the very persons, or others of the same temper, who in 1848 used all their efforts for resisting the French at any cost; and they would do the same again to-morrow, if any other Power were to come to drive out the troops which now occupy Civita Vecchia. At present all is quiet, and it seems as if a feeling of melancholy had taken possession of the whole city, which may perhaps arise from the saying generally repeated by officers and soldiers, that we shall soon see what advantages we have lost and what disadvantages we are about to acquire. The flag of King Victor Emmanuel waves on the fort. The Pontifical arms have been everywhere taken down. A Provincial Council of Government, composed of seven members, has been appointed by a few persons calling themselves "the people ;" and a Municipal Council, consisting of five members, has been appointed in the same manner. The garrison of Civita Vecchia became prisoners of war without distinction, and all were sent into Italy; but the French Zouaves returned the next day and were embarked for Marseilles. Many prisoners from Rome have arrived to-day; those belonging to the Legion of Antibes have been embarked for Marseilles in a French merchant-steamer, at the expense, I believe, of the French Government. It is not known what arrangements are made for the others. I know, however, that some went off to Italy in this morning's train, without entering the city. My Lord, No. 45. Mr. Jervoise to Earl Granville.-(Received October 4.) Rome, September 27, 1870. I HAVE already had the honour to inform your Lordship of the steps I had taken verbally to carry out the instructions conveyed to me in your Lordship's despatch of the 22nd ultimo, for securing the protection of the persons and the property of the British Roman Ecclesiastical Establishments in Rome, as well as that of other British subjects and their property. Having subsequently heard that danger was apprehended in certain quarters, I addressed myself in a more official form to General Cadorna in the sense of your Lordship's instruction. I have the honour to inclose herewith copies of my correspondence on this subject, and I am glad to be able to testify to the prompt and courteous attention. which my representations have met with, from both General Cadorna and M. Blanc. The military authorities seem to have been most willing to afford protection in all cases where it has been sought at their hands. I am afraid I have been able to do but little to assist the Zouaves, although I can assure your Lordship that I have spared no trouble on their account. It has been most difficult to ascertain what was going to be done with them, and I have found my colleagues in the same uncertainty with myself. On the 22nd, at night, I had a message from a Canadian gentleman in confinement at the Military Casino, who was just starting with his companions for Civita Vecchia; they were very anxious to be embarked at once for Malta or Marseilles, as was being done with the French soldiers, M. Lefebre de Béhaine having taken their passages in the different steamers calling at Civita Vecchia in the course of the week. On Friday I learned that the British and Canadian Zouaves were to be sent immediately, the former to Genoa, and the latter to Ajaccio or Elba; but I could not discover what was then to become of them. The privates still wore their uniforms, not having been able to change their clothes before leaving Rome, where their valises still remain, I believe. I at once wrote to Her Majesty's Minister at Florence, drawing his attention to the 3rd Article of the Capitulation signed by General Cadorna and General Kanzler (and inclosed in my despatch of the 24th instant), according to which the Italian Government undertakes to transport these prisoners of war to the frontier of their own country. I should doubt if Canada had been contemplated; but they are certainly a long way from home either at Genoa, or in Corsica or Elba. |