The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-07

anecu0ndte manner; anu Wnuc was with MN,
news arrived Of the first skinlsh with the French.
He Is noble fellow, and has already handled the
French in famous style. Yesterday was the first
day Of real fighting, and glorious day; it was
quite victory for the Italians, although, for the
most part, with little or no discipline. They took
from 300 to $50 prisoners, including a number of
officers, and killed and wounded 600 or 700; and
ilis morning the French are begging the English
lLysicians and surgeons in Rome to assist them.
am neither able nor DESTROYS to leave Rome, for
there is the greatest order and tranquility combined
with the greatest enthusiasm; and last night it
glorious TO see the Illumination in every street and
alley, and the inhabitants walking about as though
it were fete, nearly all the men in uniform, and
more or less armed. Since began, have learned
a great many of their dead and wounded, and re.
tired to distance of II miles. They have sent to
request medical aid, which the Roman government
has Immediately supplied, together with medicines
soners present. So much for :" the sanguinary
and sacrilegious Mazzini," as some have called
him.
You will learn by my letter the noble and mag
unanimous behaviour of the Romans, who have been
beled and msrepresented as parcel of anarchists,
brigands and towards. The truth is, / have been
seeking anarchy by night and by day in the high
streets, and cannot find it.. go out at all times,
and in all Places with my watch, money and papers,
and find the greatest honesty and civility; and
for their being towards and running away at the
first shot, lean assure you they have behaved with
the greatest bravery; and the French, who have
been nearly all chosen from those well trained and
accustomed to fighting in Africa, have run away
with precipitation and fear.
MaZZinl and AveZzana have to work terribly
hard but they look olerably well and keep up their
spirits, though they are prepared to lose their heads
at any moment l was with them yesterday during
two intervlews-one with M. lsambert and other
French dplOmatists, who came under the auspices
of the Danish Consul, to ask protection and con-
veyance TO leave the city, all horses are in re-
QUESTION for the army; and IT was really amusing
how they lectured them on the immoral, barefaced
and ridiculous aspect of French diplomacy went
yesterday, with note from Mazzini to see the
Princess Belgojoso, at the Trinita di Pellegrin,
where she is constantly attending to the wounded
and found with her Gen. Garlbaldi.
ROME, May Z, ls49.
wrote you on the LIST inst, and l have now to
relate most noble act, and such an interesting
and touching scene as l had never witnessed or
read Of in history. About 10 this morning.
there appeared on the walls declaration from the
Trumvirate, that the Romans were determined to
defend themselves, and there ought not, and could
not, be state OF war between the two republics.
and that the French soldiers ought not to be made
responsible for the, actsof misguided government,
and that the French prisoners should therefore 20
free, and they invited the people to meet at mid.
day to give them q fraternal escort. went I'D to
the COnsulta, where Gen. Avezzana, the Minister
OF War and Commander-ln-chief, now holds his
quarters. The French officers were soon intro
duced-I think twelve besides the drum-major-
and when the Triumvrate and Nj. Bonaparte, the
President of the Assembly, had arrived, Gen.
Avezzana saued the French and made short
address In their language. He expressed the pain
had occasloned HIM to take up arms against those
whom he he had expected would rather have as
sisted his fellow-countrymen In maintaining their
freedom, and his regret to see them bound by mill
tary honor and discipline to carry the dictates
OF policy which might very possibly bring back
events similar 10 those of 1916, and which was
only in accordance with the French invasion of
fought against them in the cause Of freedom, and
would still do so il they continued in that course;
but he hoped, although he did not wish to put any
conditions whatever to them, that they would dis
abuse their fellow officers and countrymen as to
the state of things and the sentiments Of the people
here.
Mazzini then gave utterance to few most for
eibe words He said they had only taken up arms
in self.defence, and that they would continue to
defend themselves to the utmost; but he would
not allow that there did exist war between the two
people, and there must continue one sentiment Of
fraternity and friendship, based upon their common
interests. He regretted that they should have been
detained long, for the very day after their capture
he made overtuIes to Gen Oudnot for their release
in exchange for the bata ion Of Roman soldiers who
had been dlsarmed and made prisoners at Civta
Vecchia, upon their arrival, without any hostili.
ties or declaration of war. Gen. Oudinot refused
10 listen terms, and continued his threats Find
ing, therefore, that military usage failed, he had
recourse 10 civic power and allowed them to 90
free without any pledge or obligation, except their
own feelings of honor. 1t was delightful to wit
ness the dignity and sefpossession, as well as the
simplicity and intellectual benevolence of the man;
but you and !, who know and appreciate him so
WELL can easily understand it,
M. Bonaparte then addressed them He said he
hoped they would no longer fight against the
public; reminded them of the saying Of Napoleon,
that Europe would either become republican or
Cossack; and, as Bonaparte, he asked them if
they wished to become COssack! The French
then had their swords returned to them, and were
conducted into the town to collation. Some of
them expressed themselves with a good deal of
feeling, and all were completely crestfallen Gen.
Avezzana shook hands with most, and they were
embraced by many Of the Italian officers. In a
short time, General Avezzana went with his staff
TO JON item IN the Corso, where the French sol
ders were collected, and in friendly conversation
with crowds of Romans, some Of whom were
Offering them cigars, some giving bread, and others
taking them TO drink wine. 1t delightful to
see with what good will and aacrlty the Romans
responded to the generous and noble invitation of
the government The military band played the
arselaise, and then Frenchman, who has a
good deal of eloquence and writes for some of the
French papers, was requested by the officers adj
dress the people from the balcony OF the resluu-
rant; and ne thanked them, in the most expressive
terms for the noble conduct shown to his fellow
cOuntrymen, and he was received with most rap
furious applause from the people, and cries Of Yipe
Ia repubiique Romano" from the French soldiers
IN the street. The late prisoners were then con-
Quoted in procession, most of them arm in arm
with Romans, to the gates of the city; but as they
passed by St. Peters they went in of their own
accord, and, before the grand altar, knclt down
and swore never to serve again against the Roman
republic.
Thus ended one of the most glorious days that
Rome has ever known. Last Monday she equalled
her most palmy days OF bravery and patriotism,
and To-day she has surpassed anything ever read
or heard of, by her noble bearing and generOsity
and this at a Time when she is still threatened by
the French General, by an army of Neapolitans
within few miles of the city, by the Austrians
and, as isJust announced, the landing of some
1000 Spaniards. ..
You must not suppose this conduct dictated by
anything approaching fear, or a desire to receive
back the Pope as King; for it is quite amusing to
me 10 see and hear the jokes and laughter OF the
people, as they read in groups the announcement
Of the Spanish armada; and / think they are pre-
pared TO resist and crush $4,000 or 60 900 men, if
they were to attack or ever to penetrate within the