The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-20
THE CONSPIRACY or rIEsCo.

Besides the reality of this event, there is some
thing, however brief, in the conjugal part of
Fiesco's history, which comes home to the bo-
som of familiar life ; nor is the trivial accident
by which he died without its interest, as cir
cumstance contradicting the historical grandeur
of his attempt.
Giovanni Lodovico di Fiesco was wealthy,
powerful, ane ambitious nobleman of Genoa,
which may be called the land of political expe
rment, as there is scarcely any form of govern
ment which il has not tried
After emerging from the yoke Of the Romans
the Lombards, and Charlemagne, it has, at diff
furent times, been governed by dukes, by counts
by consuls, podestats, captains of the people,
councils of twelve and of twenty-four, and by
doges but, in spite of every precaution has al
ternatey experienced the evils of family cabals,
arstocratic usurpaton and popular Instruction
Andrew Doria, a name still mentioned in Ge
noa with reverence seemed at length sent by
heaven to rescue his country from foreign inter
ference and domestic dssension. 1t was during
this short interval of repose (1547) that the sub
ject of our present article endeavored to inter
rupt it, assisted by the intrigues of France and
of Alexander Farnese who then governed
Rome and the Church, as Pope Paul the Third
Most conspiracies have originated from the
grievances Of an oppressed people, or the ruined
fortunes Of bold bad men and desperate indivi-
duals But, at the moment of that instruction
which / propose to give short account OF, Ge-
noa possessed more real freedom, happiness, and
peace, than il had enjoyed for several centuries;
and Fiesco united in an extraordinary degree
the precious gifts of fortune, fame, person, and
understanding.
In the prime Of life, for he had scarcely reached
his twenty second year, blessed with the affec-
tons of wife whom he tenderly loved, the
beautiful, the virtuous, and tender Eleanora,
and enjoying the friendship Of his feowc,izens,
he was stimulated by ambition to ann at supreme
power.
To effect this purpose, he joined an ardour,
which no obstacle could resist, with deep po-
Icy and premeditating GOODNESS, which baffled
or did not excite suspicion, Having secured
men, arms, and gallies and distributed corn
and money, under the pretenee of a charitable
donation, he embraced every opportunity of dis
playing himself to the people in splendid attire,
and mounted on horses richly caparsoned, gain
ing the affections of all by gentle manners and
graceful familiarity.
On these occasions, as he conversed with the
citizens he would sometimes lament the pride
and oppressive conduct of the mobiles, venture
TO hint that a remedy was not impossible ; but,
after short pause, recommended patience and
submission.
Fiesco continued to visit as usual the two
Dorias, Andrew Jeanetin, treating them on all
occasions with marked attention and respect.
To prevent any suspicion being excited by
exercising his vassals at his country seat, he
complained that he had been insulted by the
Duke of Pacentia, when, in fact, that Prince
had promised to assist him with two thousand
men, and he was able to muster the same num-
Der himself; al the port and on board the gal
lies he had also many dependents.
To account for several of his armed gallies en-
teriDg the harbor, he proposed cruising against
the Turks.
The fatal, the guilty secret had as yet been
communicated TO three persons only, Calcagno,