The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-28 00:00:00

STATE OF AFFAIRS AT ROME.

A letter from Rome of the 21st inst. says :

Yesterday, about 2 o'clock, the Marquis de Lava'Ate,
ambassador of France to the Hely See, and General Monte-
bello, commanding the corps of occupation at Rome, were
received by the Pope at • private audience, which
did not last lase than three hours. This long
conferen.m is to-day the subject of general converse-
tion. There is in reality something unusual in this
united visit of the ambassador and the general-in-chief,
and one can comprehend without difficulty the inquietude
of the Romans in reference to it. However, if I am well
informed, this double visit, in spite of appearances, had no
official character. I understand from this that our ambas-
sador was not charged with any special communication for
the poetifloal government ; quite the contrary—it was the
Pope who summoned at once M. de Lavalette and
General Montebello in order to converse with them on the
present state of affairs. The Pope in this audience dwelt
for a long time on his grievances against the " Piedmontese"
government, and against the revolution. He also drew •
sombre picture of his personal position, observing that
it was not even possible for him to make • short
journey from Rome during this hot season for pure
air, so necessary to his health. His Holiness, who we
know is the most excitable of Christians, spent nearly an
hour in these recriminations ; after which he demanded of
M. de Lavalette and General Montebello what measures
they were ordered to take under the circumstances. M. de
Levalette reassured the Pope by telling him that the
Emperoe, who re-established order at Rome in 1849,
would not allow it to be troubled in 1862 ;
and th►t moreover at Rome itself there was
nothing to cause anxiety. General Montebello declared that
he should maintain tranquillity at Rome. If Garibaldi
crossed the continent and approached from Naples, they
would, he said, have in a few days • sufficient force to oc-
cupy the met of the States of the Holy See, and repel all
invasion. Cardinal A•tunelli, who was present during a
part of the time, dwelt more particularly on the measures
necessary at Rome itself, proposing the state of siege. Such
was the general character of this conference, which, it will
be seen, produced no serious result,

The following address of the Roman National
Committee has been circulated in the city :

Romans! the King of Italy has spoken. He lies
asserted his right to demand of Europe full justice for the
nation. He has promised that when the hour for the
accomplishment of the great work shall have astived his
voice shall again be heard among us. Let us trust to his
word. When the first soldier of Italy speaks of delay we
must believe in the neomsity of it ; but it will be short sod
the last.

Romans! Venice and Rome have bad to endure a longer
and harder trial of misfortune than any other Italian towns,
but this has not subdued your courage ; it has strengthened
in you the manly resolution to persevere in your purpose,
a resolution which decided the greatness of your forefathers,
the proofs of which to Europe are the thousands of our
brothers who, whether in exile or in prison, have long paid
the tribute of affection to Italy. Proofs, too, are the ad-
dresses which you signed a year ago, in spite of sacerdotal
threats and anger, in which you boldly affirmed your rights
to your King, and to the Emperor of the French ; proofs,
too, are the 500 families who since that time have
suffered violent perquisitione, or have seen their dear
ones imprisoned or exiled, as too, lastly, are the hundred
demonstrations which you have made, especially those
during the Carnival, which compelled the Minister Billault
tosolemnly confess in the Sen►te that the Romans had said
enough, and that the day on which the French army
I should leave Rome a bloody insurrection would restore it to
Italy. Strong in the rights of the nation and in the facts
which attest to the world what is the force which prevents
you irons exercising your rights, the King of Italy will ari-
-1 peal to Europe for justice. We believe that he will be heard ;
but should it not be so, you willbave exhaustedall the proofs
of civil wisdom that could be expected from a people, in
order to chow that they are worthy of their high destinies.
Who will then dare accuse Italy and you of imprudence if
you take the advice dictated by your desperate condition,
sod imposed on us by our resolute forbearance?
Romans !—We need not tell you be ready ; we know that
you are always ready. We tell you once more restrain yet
a short time longer your just anger and your reasonable in-
dignation. Show the world yet again that you can govern
yourselves.
We repeat it ; we believe that the hour of justice is near
at hand, but if the voice of the King shall tell you that he
is unable to obtain it, you will show to Europe that the
Roman people are worthy of being the people of the capital
of Italy. You will prove once more that as you have been
able to practise the wisdom of Fabius, it is easier for you to
remember th►t you have in your veins the blood of Decius
and Camillus.

Italy for ever ! Long live Victor Emmanuel !
Rome, August 11. Tee NATIONAL CONXITTEZ.

The Tempe of to-day gives credit to a report of
an approaching departure of fresh troops from
France for the Pontifical States. It states that a
marshal will be sent to Rome to centralise the
troops there and those which are about to be de-
spatched. The latter are to be taken from the camp
at Chalons, whence they will proceed rapidly to
Lyons, and thence to Toulon, to embark in the
squadron of M. Rigault de Gesiouilly.