The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-22 00:00:00

GENERAL DIIRANDO'S NOTE OF OCTOBER

THE era.

The following is the text of the Note on the Roman
question addressed, on the Bth of October by Gene•
ral Durando to Chevalier Nigro., the Italian repre-
sentative at Paris. It is this despatch, not that of
September 10, to which M. Drouyu de Lhuys has
replied :

Monsieur leChuslier,—The documents published recently
by the French Moniteur respecting the Roman question in-
duce us to believe that the Imperial government, alive to
the dangers of the actual situation, considers that this affair
ODD no longer remain in suspense, and that it is urgent to
seek a solution which protects, in the interests of the two
countries, both the principles defended by France at
Rome, and the exigencies of the Italian nationality.
Whatever may be the motives which have determined it,
the occupation of Rome does not constitute any the lee a
violation of the principle of nonintervention, which is
generally recognised by the Powers, and specially as applied
to Italy. We will refrain from discussiog those motives.
What we now have to do is to ascertain whether the coo-
tinuance of the occupation can be justified by the future.
By sending troops to Rome and maintaining (them there,
the French government had not only in view the re-esta-
blishment of the Holy Father upon the Pontifical throne,
but also the recoocilistion of the Sovereign of Rome with
Italy, and the procuring at the same time for the Romans
a government more in conformity with the conditions of
modern civilisation. All the efforts of the Emperor have
been constantly directed to this double object, and his
desire, we have no doubt, has always been to put an end to
the occupation so soon u that object was attained. Not
suffering himself to be discouraged by reiterated refusals, be
has retained for • long time the hope of seeing his prudent
and moderate advice prevail in the court of Rome. But
after the speech pronounced by the Pope—after the rejec-
tion of the propositions just published by the dioniteter—
can anybody continue to foster the hope of bringing that
court to a meter appreciation of the situation and to more
equitable seetinienta towards Italy? Cardinal Antonelli's
reply can no longer admit of any doubt in that respect. It
contains a peremptory refusal of any arrangement. Indeed,
to demand, as a preliminary measure, that the provinces
should be restored to the Holy See, which, for the last two
)ears, have formed au integral pert of the Kingdom of
Italy, which France and almost all the Powers have re-
:3ll.and in which, previous to their annexation, no
.! 'es possible, except by the help of a permanent
Intervention of foreign troops—to refuse to admit any
arrangement whatever without that restoration—is barring
the path to all future negotiations. It is therefore proved
beyond a doubt, that the occupation has not obtained, end
will obtain, either the reconciliation of Italy with the
Holy See, or that of the Roman population with its govern-
ment. Fourteen years have elapsed since the French garrison
entered Rome for the first time, and not one of the reforms
demanded has taken place in the Pontifical government.
Catholic consciences are more troubled than ever. Nay,
more ; one of the regrettable consequences of such a pro-
longed occupation is the perpetuating in the mind of the
Pontifical Court the certainty that this support will never
fail it, and that consequently it may safely reject
every attempt that Italy might make with a view to
arriving at a definitive arrangement with the Pope by
means of direct negotiations. Moreover, the occupation,
by depriving the Romans of every possibility of exer-
cising, by peaceful means, any legitimate action upon
their government, prevents them from obtaining those
ameliorations which in every country the voice of public
opinion rarely demands in vain. It foments, through-
out the whole of the Peninsula, an agitation as baneful to
the organisation of the kingdom as injurious to our good
relations with France, sad to the preservation of peace in
Europe. By covering with its shield the conspiracy of
which the former court of Naples is the centre and the
focus, by granting a refuge to the dethroned King and the
brigands who desolate in his name the southern province',
the Roman government in reality is guilty of seta of hosti-
lity against Italy under the shelter of the French flag.
Europe, which has so king looked on at that painful spec-
tacle, and which cannot convince itself that it is not pos-
sible to put an end thereunto, seeks to account for the con-
tinuance of the French occupation by hypotheses which
have no foundation—l hasten to acknowledge it—in the
intentions of the Imperial government, but which are not
the less hurtful to the interests of the two countries.

However, in presence of the repeated attempts of the re-
volutionary party in Italy, the French government might
have doubted hitherto whether we were possessed of
sufficient strength and authority to repress them, to
give tranquillity to the country, and to keep the en-
gagements we might have been forced to take in order
to guarantee the safety of the Pope. Hencefor-
ward that doubt is no longer possible. The energy
manifested by the government in the late events, the
promptitude with which it has restored the authority of
the law, and the pardon which it has been able fearlessly
to advise the King to grant, testify that it possess' a coo-
acionineu of its power, and that it will not hesitate to em-
ploy it in such a manner as to maintain established order,
and to fulfil its engagements. In our eyes it is evident
that nothing exists to prevent an understanding being ar-
rived at as to the opportuneness of putting an end to the
occupation. This plan his already been tested, without
having been able, I repeat, to bring about either a
reconciliation or the reforms solicited and hoped for
in vain. By leaving the Court of Rome to its sub-
jects, is it to be believed that that will be obtained
which the patience of the Emperor has not been able
to obtain by fourteen years of occupation and sterile
negotiations' AU these considerations prevent the govern-
ment of the King from abstaining any longer from calling
the attention of that of the Emperor to a state of things
which demands the promptest remedies. We address
ourselves therefore to it, in order to ascertain
whether it does not judge the moment arrived for re-
calling its troops from Rome, and to week another combina-
tion which may change • situation so full of peril for both
countries. The Italian government is ready to investigate
any proposition that may be made to it with a view
to guaranteeing the independence of the Holy Bee, so
soon as the foreign occupation shall have ceased. It will
take into consideration any plan of arrangement which,
while reassuring catholic consciences, will at the same time
satisfy the legitimate exigencies of the Italian nationality.
We are the more inclined to enter into that path since the
sentiments which have inspired the memorable letter of
the Emperor are in our eyes • pledge that in his constant
efforts to protect the spiritual interests of the catholic
world, he cannot Lut recognise that the consolidation of
order in the Peninsula is as necessary to the peace of Europe
as to the tranquillity of men's consciences.
Be kind enough, Monsieur le Chevalier, to read this de-
spatch to H. Drouyn de Lhasa, sod hand him a copy of
it, begging him at the mine time to inform us of the
opinion of the Imperial government upon the subject, vo
that we may know bow to regulate our conduct in accom-
plishment of the task confided to us by the law and by the
nation.

Accept, M. de Chevalier, fresh assurances of my moat
distinguished consideration.
(.yiffned) GIACOMO DURAND°.

CHURCH or ENGLAND YOUNG MEN'S SOCIIFTY.—
On Thursday evening Mr. Allan Cher delivered his lecture
on " Hearts and Homes," at the Beaumont Institution.
Mile-end, in aid of the above society. Upwards of 1,000
persons (members and friends) filled the hall, and the elo-
quent lecturer was most amusing and instructive in the
treatment of his subject. Dr. Urundy, of st. Jumes-the-
Lew, occupied the chair.