Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-24
6emeral SateIIigtnte.
A View Of Rome and the Papal Government,
by an Italian Liberal.
From the Eco d'Italia, january IA.

A View Of Rome and the PapaI Government,
by an Italian Liberal.
From the Eco d'Italis, January IA.
ROME, December 10, 1853
The council Of State met 10 take into considera-
ton the finances of the country on the 9Th instant
| The Pontif himself presided, and pronounced the
/ opening address in person. He spoke at length Of
the financial crisis in which the State was plunged
confessed his ignorance Of political economy, and
| his inability 10 prove remedy for such crying
evils; and entreatedthe councillors to aid him in the
search for some cure for the public miseres. For
his part, he felt that he was not responsible there
for TO the State and that he stood bameless before
/ God. He was moved to tears while uttering these
words, and concluded by stating that certain pro-
jects would be laid before them, and submitted for
| their discussion and approval. In the course Of
| his speech he frequently INDUCED in loud COM
plants and recriminations against Protestant Eng
| land and the American Union for the revolution
airy and irregious doctrines which are propagatcd
under the sanction of their respective govern
ments.
The councillors are anything but representatives
Of the people, being elected by no popular VOTE
and neither knowing nor caring anything about
| their fellow-countrymen. Chosen by the minister
of the interior from lists presented by the provn-
cial delegates, they are always the complacent
| tools of the government; and should any one of
| them feel liberal aspiration, he must instantly
smother il, at the risk of immediate disgrace.
~
ing in the official journal and the names OF the
| twenty-seven men (the full compliment Of the
body are unknown TO the people, they undergo
no personal responsibility, and as whole enjoy
a large measure of general contempt. Such is the
| assembly in whose hands are placed the destnies
of our poor country, which might be so flourish
| ing. The public treasury is exhausted. The 60
vernment clerks and employees have not and can
not be paid and dun uselessly for the arrears of
their last months salary. The same thing is the
| case with pensions, which are only paid in bank
| bons. Coin is extremely scarce.
So complete prospect of ruin cannot be ex-
planned especially when it is borne in mind that
the army and the other expenses Of the State have
Of Gregory XVI The government employees
| have been reduced to onetenth by the Censmra, a
secret tribunal no great works are being under
| taken. The immense issues Of paper money are
entirely represented by pontifcal 6oms which
were created, as is known, by the government.
| One circumstance in relation to this has come to
my knowledge from an accredited source, and
seems likely enough Some days ago vessel
was about TO run into Cvti Vecchia, having on
board 100000 scudi in gold and silver, forming
part Of the Rothschild loan, when she accosted
| by another steamer, which ordered her of, and
forbade her landing her cargo in any shape or
| way. The motive of the countermand was obvi-
ously the receipt Of information that the money
thus loaned was not intended TO be used in re-
! deeming the paper currency, and a desire on the
part of the owners TO appropriate for the time TO
/ some other purpose, as the prime object Of the
loan was thus defeated; added to this the depre-
| citation in which the paper now stands and the
] high price commanded by coin, showing concll-
credit and rendering il a matter of some doubt
whether the scrip of the loan could be sold.
| AT the balls and receptions given by the French
ambassador and general, the Roman officers used
i TO be constantly invited, and constantly TO re-
| fuse TO attend Piqued by their refusals, you must
hear how the Frenchmen revenged themselves
General orders issued from the French command
| ant-who, as you are aware has authority over
| our troops-imperiousy requiring the Roman Off
GERS to attend not only the sources of the ambassa-
dor and the general under penalty of arrest, but
| also the evening parties Of the latter, where our
| poor fellows 60 through this new turn Of duty in
mortal ennni. You must admit that this is rather
| a rude sort of vengeance; and yet, when our peo-
pie attempt TO retaliate by ralery or satire, the
| French complain and have them sent to jail.
Thefls, nocturnal assaults, and robberies are as
common as ever. The police never interfere be-
| ing busy enough in arresting liberals. It often
happens that diligence is stopped, and tho driver
| and passenger completely stripped of their bag
gage. Quite lately reverend councillor Of State
| who was coming to Rome, was robbed of all he
had, including his portfolio with his passport, and
| narrowly escaped Imprisonment, poor fellow, for
| want of the document. aa.4g a
| The French army has a fre-wood yard for its
1 own use in street near the monastery of ST. Su-
sannah close to the Diocletan baths. The monks
complained TO the cardinal vicar, and begged that
| the fre-wood might be removed, the soldiers
amused themselves by climbing the piles Of wood
and watching the girls in the garden The vicar
applied to the municipalities, and requested him
| TO communicate the request of the monks TO the
/ general. No answer came at first but a second
| remonstrance having been sent n Montreal re-
i piled athat he kept the fre-wood there because it
pleased him so to do and that if the inside Of the
/ monastery had suited him better, he would have
turned the monks out and taken it." After this
reply, municipal officer, vicar, and monks thought
i it best TO say no more.
| The concentration of French at Civita Vecchia
is confirmed, but not the garrisoning of the prov
| inces by the papal troops. The French have been
succeeded by the latter at Vterbo, Civitacastella
ma Narn, &c; but strong force of oil arms still
remains in Rome as pontifcal guard.
| Breach of Promise and Seduction Mt AL.
bany.-An interesting and rather extraordinary
| scene took place at the police Office yesterday!
| Towards noon, young lady entered the Office,
followed by middlc-aged man. and proceeded to
| the bench, with the apparent intent of making
| known the object of her visit TO Justice Cole. He
| being occupied in attending TO a criminal case, the
officer in attendance requested her 10 take seat
i in the adjoining room, which she accepted.
] Scarcely had she become seated, before short,
thick-set man, apparently Jew, came in, and
/ walked up TO the justice; but, finding that he was
/ engaged withdrew, and seated himself on
bench. The magistrate, having finished the trinl
ofthe case, left the bench, and went into the side
| room, where, after short conversation with the
1 femals--who il appears is a Jewess--a warrant
| was issued, and placed in the hands of officer
Smith, who found but little difficulty in serving IT,
as his prisoner was found to be the Jew who had
taken a seat on the bench. He was accordingly
invited TO take scat in the sideroom, where Jus
| tice Cole politely informed him that he had been
i brought in to answer TO the charge Of seduction
/ and breach Of promise. The Jewess was sworn,
who testified that in the presence of her parents
and two relatives, according to the JEWS custom,
he betrothed himself TO her, which was followed
by the joining of hands and pledge Of everlasting
fidelity. Since that ime they had met together
/ frequently; and, upon this pledge and promise
i OF speedy marriage, he succeeded in accomplish
ing his desires and her disgrace. Some time hav-
! ing elapsed since the pledge given, sho urged
him to name a day for the marriage, which he re-
] fused doing, pleading poverty as an excuse; and,
finding that he was reluctant and inclined to jill
her. she appraised her father Of what had occurred,
leaving il for him to say what course she ought
! to pursue.
| On hearing Of her disgrace and his refusal to
marry her, they left home and went TO the store of
l her betraver where thew nd him An