The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-12
A Transferable Dukedom In Italy.

By the arrival of the Washington, we learn that the
Duke of Lucca has delivered up the sovereignty OF his
domnions to the Grand Duke of Tuscany; and Italy
is attracting universal attention, few observations
on this event may not be unnterestng.
At the beginning of the French revolution Lucca
formed part of Tuscany, which governed bya
Grand Duke, younger brother Of the Emperor Francis
of Germany, both of them being sons of the Emperor
Leopold the second of the celebrated Empress Maria
Teresa Parma. the country next adjoining the NORTH
then ruled by prince of the family of the Bourbons
of Spain, whose princess was the daughter OF King
Charles Nv of SPAIN and sister to the late Ferdinand VII
"of glorious memory" These, and all other italian
princes, were expelled by the French and Bonapare
when he became Emperor, quietly converted Tuscany
and Parma, as well Savoy, Piedmont Genoa and the
greater portion OF the Roman States, into departments
France. expungng their old from the map Of the
world. Upon his fall, when the congress assembled at
Vienna, and undertook the task of reconstruction and
restoration, the Princess of Parma, poor widow with
an only son, then fourteen years old praying to
be replaced in possession of her pastoral realm Of
cheese" Her claim was pronounced good; but the ey
Empress of Fance-N1aria Louisa daughter to the Aus
trian Emperor-was without house or home and pro-
vision must be made for her. So was agreed that the
latter should have Parma for her life, while the widow
and her son might support themselves as well as they
could on the small territory of Lucca which was to be
distracted, during that PERIOD from Tuscany
The state of things thus established has continued
to the great dissasfa ction of all concerned in it, until
the last month. The ex-Empress Maria Louisa deest
Parma, and has alw avs been endeavoring to get in
change for it, some dukedom in Germany, which she
might leave to her eldest by her beloved Count
Neipperg; whilst the Duke OF Lucca has been as
ious to get back his principally of Parma, the Grand
Duke of Tuscany has been to Lucca to his do
mnions; and the people of Lucca and Parma have been
no less discontinued with being left at the discretion
rulers no could have interest in the future prosper
ty of their respective countries.
Thus the cesson of Lucca, by its duke to the Grand
Duke of Tuscany, is anticipation of what was to be
done the death of Maria Louisa, who is now about
fftysx years of age, and has for some time been in
very feeble state Of health and as the honors and
of the duchy Of Lucca very triAng the duke
has doubtless acted wisely in surrendering possession
which he could not hold much longer, and leaving to
another the task Of managing it. under the storm now
lowering over that part of Europe.
This Duke of Lucca has been candidate for every
vacant throne newly made throne or throne proposed
to be made in Chrstendom, for the last thirty years
The first plan was to place him the head OF king
dom. to be made up by conquering and uniting all the
Barbary States; then he to be king of Buenos
Ayres, of Brazil, OF Mexico or king constitutional
absolute, Of Spain. OF Italy, and recently be
has stood in succession for the crowns OF Greece, Bel.
GUM, and Portugal Will he again try for Mexico