The National Register.
London, England, 1820-09-04 00:00:00

SICILY.

The advice of Thursday last from Palermo
were dated August 5, at which time the invitation
of the Palerinitans to the rest of the island, to
unite for the attainment of independence, had been
circulated throughout Sicily, and the answers of
the different cities ani districts had been transmitted
to the Provisional Junta at Palermo. V. ith the
exception of Messina and Trapani, there appeared
no hesitation, in any quarter, in acceding to the
wish of the Palennitans. The Neapolitan garrisons
were immediatelely disarmed, and provisional au-
thorities appointed. Even at Messina, though the
proposal was was promptly rejected, the cause was
rather believed to be the influence of persons hold-
ing official situations there, who were all under the
immediate control of Naples, titan the general wish
of the people. No doubt was entertained at Pa-
lermo that the appearance of a military force under
the walls of Messina, which had been actually
appointed for that purpose, by furnishing an excuse
to the people of that city for a surrender, would
produce an immediate acquiescence in their views.
The good-will of Trapani to the general cause was
more doubtful, and a determination had conse-
quently been adopted to reduce the place by force:
a division of the troops had already marched fur that
destination, and its surrender was hourly expected.
The deputies sent from Palermo to Messina, among
whom were Prince Belmonte and the Marquis Gre-
gorio, had been arrested, and were to be detained
till instructions concerning them could be received
from Naples. The number of Neapolitan troops
made prisoners at Palermo is said, in these accounts
to amount to 6,000; it had been proposed to ex-
change them for as equal number of Sicilians resi-
dent in Naples. The new journal (The Phanix),
published at Palermo under the auspices of the
Provisional Junta, gives in a supplement to its date
of the 81st July an address from the Vicar-General
of Naples to the Palermitans, and a very long and
spirited reply from that portion of his subjects. In
his address
.the Prince reproaches them with this
violation of their duty, so soon after his recent
endeavours to lighten their burdens, and to alleviate
their grivances; but offers them pardon on condition
of laying down their arms, replacing the magis.
tracy, and returning to their duty. From the re-
ply, which we regret our limits will not permit us
to give at length, we subjoin a few of the more
prominent paasages. In answer to the reproach of
ingratitude, they observe—" We should be glad to
spread a veil over the past, and not recur to events
• which now can serve no other purpose than that of
producing exaeperation: but the charge of ingrati-
tude is so black and heavy, that we owe it to your
Royal Highness, to ourselves, and to Europe, to
clear ourselves from such an imputation. Your
Royal Highness, instead of considering yourself de-
ceived by the demonstrations of love and fidelity
which we have always evinced towards you, ought '
to consider yourself as really deceived by the perfi.
dious counsels of those who persuade you that all
the sacrifices made have been made on the part of
the court, and all the benefits enjoyed have been
enjoyed on the part of the nation; of those, in
fine, who insinuate that nations are made for the
convenience of Princes, and not Princes for the
well-being of nations. What, then, up to the
present time has been the situation of Sicily ?
What has been its lot ? For twice, at least, his
Majesty, your august father, and the whole of the
Royal Family, being compelled to abandon Na-
ples,. carne to seek an asylum among us. What
proof did not the nation then give of its fide-
lity, devotion, and attachment? It not only main-
tamed the crown in its splendour, but offered to the
King forces and means to conquer his lost kingdom.
Its treasures were squandered in the maintenance of
Neapolitan emigrants. Such are the sacrifices of the
Sicilian nation : what arc the benefits and advents.
ges by which they have been compensateile—
A permanent court was promised to Sicily in
solemn Parliament : was that promise fulfilled ?
When the court returned in 180.5, was the lot of
Sicily ameliorated ? The honours, the offices, and
the rewards of the State were lavished on the Nea-
politans. The treasures of the State were dissipated
in a system of inquisition and espoinnae, in the
support of a must numerous Neayulitan force, and
in the pay of
.emissaries and intriguera who infest
the kindom of Naph s. Sicily, in tine, was a colony
govenied by a group of Neapolitan emigrants. In
such a state, Sicily saw sonic of its Lett citizens
were dragged front their homes in the dead of night,
and banished to the islands, where they were kept
in long durence, as disturters of the pubic Peace.
Sicily at l.,at pionounerd in favour of the English
constitution ; that constitution was adopted; your
Royal Highness was created by his Majesty Vicar-
General of the Kingdom. Tile inch:pet:dram of
this kingdom was decided on and seleinnly sanctioned.
Your lloyul holier, resuming the reigns of Govt it-
ment, solemnly pionlisetl in rho Pali:um:lit of
nut only tl.e nutintehunce, but the ct,rnuicticl;, el