The Express.
London, England, 1862-10-09 00:00:00

THE AMNESTY IN ITALY.

The following is the full text of M Rattazzi's
report on the amnesty, a brief abstract of which has
already been received by telegraph :
Sire„—The causes which had hitherto obliged your govern-
ment to advise you to resist the generous impulse of your
heart towards General Garibaldi and his accomplices have
ceased. The authority of the laws is being every-
where consolidated ; confidence in the frank es well as
prudent policy inaugurated by you has tempered
the impatience which drove that general into the path of
rebellion, and to the catastrophe of Aspromoute, where he
could not but become aware that if he was enabled to per-
form prodigies while he fought against the enemies of the
country and liberty, it was not so when, forgetful of his
duty, he drew the sword aping your rights, whatever
might be the object he had is view. From this deplorable
example there arises a salutary lesson for us all.
Italy, feeling herself now ensure against the attempts of
factions, and remembering the warrior* rendered by
General Garibaldi to the cams of oatiooal unity, ardently
desires to forget that he has for a moment been deaf to
the voice of duty, to your admonitions and to the laws.
This desire has found an echo throughout the civilised
world, among all warm partisans of Italian liberty and
unity, who fear nothing so much for Italy as a return to
the intestine discord which kept her so long divided, and
made her an easy prey to foreign ambition. The oblivion
of past off sores, which all implore in favour of the principal
author, is with still greater reason invoked in favour of
those who, attracted by the prestige which attaches to his
I name, followed him in hie unfortunate enterprise.
It is no longer necessary to resist these wishes. From
their fulfilment the policy of the government will acquire
strength without endangering the political constitution
which has entrusted to your bands the power of satisfying
the desire of the nation and that of your heart without
weakenior the laws which protect the public peace. When
it was necessary to put down the rebellion, to restore
authority to the laws which had been contemned, and
to consolidate public order, your council did not
hesitate to propose the most stringent measures.
All danger being now put, it willingly consents to be the
interpreter of the universal wish, and implores your
Majesty to perform an act of clemency which, effacing the
memory of one of the most painful episodes of our national
regenerstioe, easy have the effect of leaving nothing alive
but the memory of the services rendered to the country end
the dynasty. None but the enemies of Italy, who rejoiced

eh the Musa! of a civil war, will feel disappointed at this act
Ishandal to maintain unscathed and united all the fowls and
glory el the nation.
It was the wish of your government that the amnesty
might be complete, and that all those who had incurred
punishment accordieg to law by joining the eeterprise
checked on the battlefield of Aspromonte, might be re-
leased from all judicial penalties. Rat the necessity of
upholding in every emergency the high principle of duty
which renders the army the protector of all rights and
liberties, does not permit us to comprise in the amnesty
the soldiers belonging to the army or navy who, on this
occasion, violated the laws which especially concerned them,
or failed in the allegiance due to their prince.
The honour of our flag forbids us to recognise in the acts
imputed to them those extenuating circumstances which
stand in favour of other not engaged in the military service.
Your ministers are well aware bow painful the exception
they propose, and to which they attach the greatest import-
ance, must be to your paternal heart.
This amnesty, sire, is not without precedent under our
free institutions. The tacit consent which parliament and
public opinion gave on former occasions to similar acts,
induce the council of the crown to submit to your Majesty
a decree which may convince both Italy and Europe of your
magnanimity, of the strength of the government, and of the
spirit of concord which animates the people which rejoices in
having you for a father and a Bing.
This report is followed by a royal decree, detail
the 6th, comprising the following articles :
Art. 1. The anthem and aocomplices of the seta and
attempts at rebellion which took place in August last in the
southern provinces, are exempted from all judicial liability
on this account, provided they have not committed any com-
mon crimes. _ _ _

Art. 2. The soldiers of the land and sea forces are ex-
cepted from this amnesty.