Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-04

IRON lnhumanty, or apprehending n pio
or contagion. they rejected the offer witt
disdain. But fortune decreed that thos
unhappy men should fall in with the mai
packet, which plies regularly between
Marseiles and Bastia; Murlt with bold
counteIance revealed his name TO the pi
lots and added: IL am Frenchman inc
| speak to my countrymen; am near ship
wreck and ask help from those who ar,
sailing without danger" He was rcceiv
ed and honored as king.
On the following day he was landed a
Basta a. Corsica was at that time agitated
| by civil discords between the Bourbonists
Bonapartists and Independents; the first o.
these parties was small and weak. but the
other two were strong and conEded in Mu-
rat Cor some new political movement
Hence the authorities Of the island were
suspicious of him, and from motives Of Sc
curity and prudence he passed to Vescon-
do, and thence to Ajacio, closely pursued
by the magistrates of the island, and con-
tinually defended by the islanders who had
risen in arms. These popular recognitions
made him feel once more like king, aud
with false image of fortune ehtterihg on
his eye. he frequently said: "lf strangers
fight for me, what will not the Neapoitans
do! accept the augary."
He then formed the design which he re-
vcaled to none but his most intimate con-
fidants, of Landing at Salerno where three
thousand of his old army were stationed.
idle and discontentcd with the Bourbon
government; to march with them to Avel-
limo, swelling his ranks on the way with
soldiers and rartizans; TO anticipate by
three days on the road to Basilicata the
arrival Of t.e Gerssaa troops, who would
march from Naples to give ham battle; to
FIJI the whole kingdom with his fame, and
not to turn towards the capital till the re-
port of his successes had thrown the gov
ernmcnt into confusion and forced tue timid
Bourbons TO fly. He foresaw no mislor-
tunes, he despised danger it was annihi-
lated by his natural intrepidity and long
familiarity with fortune and war. With
these plans he assembled a company oftwo
hundred and fifty Corscians who were faith
ful to him and ready for battle, and freight
ed six barqucs.
He fixed the day of his departure; but
shortly before the time, letters of Macerani
from CIlvi announced that he was on his
way from Alacio, the bearer of good news
Murat waited for him, and he arrived the
next day, narrated briefly what he had done
and put into his hands paper written in
French which said.
His majesty the emperor of Austria
grants an asylum to king Murat on the fol-
lowing conditions:
1st The king will assume private
name; the queen having taken that of Lipa-
No the same is proposed to the king
"2d.- The king can reside in city of
Bohemia, or Moravid, or Austria Proper;
or ifhc wishes. in any country town Of the
provinces.
"3d. he wall give guarantee on his
honor not TO abandon the Austrian States
without express permission OF the emperor
and to live as private man subject to the
Austrian monarchy.
"Givon at Paris the 1st of Sept 1851,
By command of S. NJ. F. RIA,
Prince METTERNIcH'
"A prison then" said Murat, sis my asy-
luml A prison is a tomb, and TO a king
who has fallen from throne there remains
nothing but to die ike soldier. You ar
rive late Macccr2ni; have already fixed
my destiny, | waited three months the de-
cision of the Allied Sovereigns; those same
men who were once rivals in courting my
friendship aiterward abandoned me TO the
sword of my enemies. | go with happy
hopes of reconqncring my states. The
unfortunate War of Italy has robbed me
of none of my rights; kingdoms are lost and
acquired by arms; a right to e crown is
immutable, and fallen kings raise them
selves to their thrones if it be the will of
fortune. which is the instrument Of Cod
If fail in my undertaking. my imprison-
ment will find an excuse ip necessity, but
never wall preserve, as voluntary slave,
under barbarous laws, the miserable re-
mains of my life. Bonaparte signed his
abdication to the throne of France; he re-
turned in the same way that | am attempt
ing; he was defeated at Waterloo, and af-
teryafd made prisoner. l have not re.
nounccd my rights, they are still entire; a
destiny worse than Imprisonment would oe
contrary TO the reason of mankind; but be
assured that Naples shall be my St. He
lena.
On the sarqc inght the 2sth Of Septcm
ber, the little feet weighed anchor and left
the Harbor of Ajacio. The heavens were
serene, the sea was placid, the wind pro
pitious, the band was in high spirits and
ahe king was gay: fallaceous appcaran-
ces.
The government Of Naples was thor
oughIy informed Of Murat's movements,
and viii explain how. AS soon as they
heard that he was in Corsica a spy follow.
ed his track For this vile office there
offered, or recommended by his bad fame
was sought a certain Carrabeli, native ol
Corsica, who had been in the service Of
Murat in the kingdom a subtle and un.
grateful character. He approached the
unsuspectng Murat, and feiguing gratitude
endeavored to dissuatle him from the en-.
terprisc. This friendly advice although
it came from an enemy he had been com
manded by the governnent Of Naples to
give. for they apprehended danger TO the
state from the undertaking. They were
therefore Of Murat's intentions hopes
preparations and movements; but they pre-
pared no defense. being ignorant Of the
place where he designed to land, and fear
ing to divulge his schemes in a kingdom
where his partisans were numerous anc
bold and the Bourbons few and weak
since the hopes which the return of the old
king Lad excited among the credq!ous anc
simple had been disappointed.
For six days the fleet sailed prosperous
/ ly when it was dispersed by a tempes
which lasted three days; two Of the vessels
one of which bore Murat wandered into
the gulf OF Santa Euphemia; two other.
| within sicht of Policasiro q fifth upon tn,