Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-17
LOUIS NAPOLEoN's LETTER.

The Geographic dispatches have spoken Of an
important letter which has been addressed by
the Emperor of the French to the King of Sar
DINA. This letter gives us Louis Napoleon's
plan for settling the Italian question. He has
not before spoken to the public on the question
so clearly and as this letter will be called up
again to the attention of the public we give it
in full to our readers =
"MonSieur mon Frere.-I write today to your
Majesty i'll order to set forth to you the pres
ent situation of affairs, to remind you Of the
past, and to settle with you the course which
ought to be followed for the future. The cir
cumstances are grave; it is requisite to lay
aside illusions and sterile regrets, and to ex-
anime carefully the real state of affairs. Thus
the question is not now whether | have done
well or i'll in making peace with NilIatranca.
but rather to obtain from the treaty results
most favorable for the paciication Of Italy and
for the repose Of Europe. Before entering on
the discussion of this question: am anxious
to recall once more 10 your Majesty the obsta-
Giles which rendered every definite negotiation
and every definite treaty so difficult
In point of fact, war has often fewer COM
pllcations than peace. In the former two in
terests only are in presence OF each other-the
attack and the defence in the latter, on the
contrary, the point is to reconcile a multitude
Of interests-often of an opposite character.
This is what actually occurred at the moment
of the peace. 1t was necessary to conclude
a treaty that should secure in the best manner
possible the independence of Italy, which
should satisfy Piedmont and the wishes Of the
population and yet which should not wound the
Catholic sentiment or the rights of the Sover.
eigns in whom Europe felt an interest.
believed then that, if the Emperor OF Aus
tria wished tp come to frank understanding
with me, with the view Of bringing about this
important result the causes of antagonism
which for centuries had divided these empires
would disappear, and that the regeneration of
Italy would be effected by common accord,
and without further bloodshed.
now state what are, in my opinion, the es-
sental conditions of the regeneration:
Italy to be composed of several independent
states, united by federal bond; each OF these
states to adopt particular representative sys-
TEN, and salutary reforms. The confederation
to then ratify the principles of Indian NATIONAL
ity; to have but one flag, but one system of
customs, and one currency. The directing
center to be at Rome, which should be COM
posed of representatives named by the sover-
eigns from list prepared by the chambers,
in order that, in this species of Diet, the intiu
ence Of the reigning families suspected of
leaning towards Austria should be counterbal-
anced by the element resulting from election.
By granting to the Holy Father the honora-
ry presidency of the confederation, the reli-
gious sentiment of Catholic Europe would be
satisfied, the moral influence of the Pope
would be increased throughout Italy, and
would enable him to make concessions in con-
formity with the legitimate wishes OF the pop
ulations. Now, the plan which l had formed
at the moment of making peace may still be
carried out if your Majesty will employ your
influence in promoting ii. Besides, eonsid-
cradle advance has already been made in that
direction.
The cession of Lombardy with a limited
debt is an accomplished fact.
Austria has given up her right to keep gar
risons in the strong places of Piacenza, Ferra-
IA, and Commachio.
The rights of the sovereigns have, it is true,
been reserved, but the independence of Central
Italy has also been guaranteed, inasmuch as all
idea of foreign intervention has been formally
set aside and, lastly Venotia is to become a
province purely Italian. 1t is the real interest
of your Majesty, as of the peninsula, to second
me in the development of this plan, in order to
obtain from ii the best results, for your Majes-
ty cannot forget that | am bound by the treaty;
and l cannot, in the Congress which is about
to open, withdraw myself from my engage
ulcHtS. He pdIt vi IIdllCc 10 lIdCeu DSlOTe-
hand
We demand that Parma and Piacenza shall
be united to Piedmont, because this territory
is in a strategetical point Of view, indspensa-
Bile to her. We demand that the Duchess of
Parma shall be called to Modena that Tusca-
ny augmented, perhaps by portion of the
territory to be restored to the Grand Duke
Ferdinand that system of moderate (Sage)
liberty shall be adopted in all the states of TIA
ly; Austria shall frankly disengage herself
from an incessant cause of embarrassment for
the future, and that she shall consent to COM
plete the nationality of Venetia, by creating
not only separate representation and admin
istration, but also an Italian army.
We demand that the fortresses of Mantua
and Peschiera shall be recognized as federal
fortresses
And lastly, that confederation based on
the real wants as well as on the traditions of
the Peninsula, to the exclusion Of every for
eign influence, shall consolidate the fabric of
the independence of Italy.
| shall neglect nothing for the attainment of
this great result. Let your majesty be con-
ynced of it, my sentiments will not vary, and
so far as the interests of France are not op.
posed to it, | shall always be happy TO servs
the cause for which We have combatted to.
gether.
Palace of st. Cloud, Doth of October, 1859"