Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-10-29
The Papal Territory.

capital OF Italy. len years ago the
greater part Of the Papal territory re-
yolted and was annexed to the Govern
ment of Victor Emmanuel. In 1859 the
Pope's tcmpoyalitics covered 1890
square miles OF territory, containing
population of 3,12i,GGS. The revolt of
1860 took away everything but the evil
divisions OF Rome and Conarca, ViterbO,
Civta Vccchid, Vcllctri and Frosinone,
the whole containing 4,j09 square miles
and population of G92, 1863. Geographi-
cally the States of the Church are
bounded on the north by Tuscany, on
the south by Naples, aud on the south
west by the Mediterranean sea. Their
greatest extent from north 10 south is
about 100 miles, with breadth varying
from eighteen TO fifty miles. The coast
line measures about l6O miles, and is in
nearly all places low and often marshy.
Although it is broken by numerous bays,
nearly all are SO small aud shallow that
they are totally unfit for harbor pur-
poses. CivIta Veccha is the single ex-
ception, and even that place possesses
but few natural advantages as com
mercial seaport. 1t has been, however,
since 1860, the only seaport held by the
Pope, and has served as principal means
of entrance and exit to and from Rome.
CiYita Vecchia is situated on the Med
iterranean, some thirty-eight miles north
west of Rome, and contains a popula-
tion of 1000 souls. 1t is surrounded by
walls, it is well built, and contains nu-
merous converts, churches aud hospitals,
an arsenal building, docks, theatre and
convict establishment. The Emperor
Trajan built the port. The harbor is
formed 10y two large moles, aud outside
is break-water which protects the ship
ping from heavy seas, brought in by
western gales. For many years Civita
Vecchia has been free port, and at one
time carried on au extensive trade.
Since the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Papal
territory, however, its commerce has
been declining, aud at the present time
It's business is comparatively small.
| Nevertheless, the town has regular com
munication with Marscilles, Genoa, Le-
ghorn, Naples, Greece Egypt and Turkey.
A railroad connects it with Rome.
The physical aspect of the States Of
the Church is mountainous, save on the
sea coast, where it is fat and marshy.
The principal river is the Tiber, whicL
rises in Tuscany, and pursues tortuous
course east and southeast TO within %
miles Of Rome, when it flows mostly
south,southwest to the Mediterranean.
In consequence OF the difficulty of dis
tinguishing the land from the sea the
mouth of the Tiber is dangerous to APP
proach, and the danger is increased by
the prevalence of thick fogs during the
greater part of the year.
AS general rule the soil of the ccun-
try is possessed of great natural fertility,
aud with ordinary care produces large
crops. 1t is doubtful, however, if there
is any other part OF Christian Europe
where cultivation is more primitive than
here, The principal productions are
grapes, olives, silk, rice, tobacco, corian-
der, anise seeds, mama, sugar-cane, indi-
go and cotton. Live stock is abundant
goats and sheep being in large num-
bers. They are valued principally for
their milk, from which large quantities
of cheese is made. In addition TO these
productions there are several manutac-
tories of silk, woolen. and hosiery, per
tumery, iewelry, mosaics, &c. but none
Of them can be said to flourish. One
great drawback TO industry in the Ro-
man States is the want of good roads.
There is but one short railroad, and the
ordinary highways are in very bad con-
dition, Communication across the Ap,
pennies is exceedingly difficult, and is
carried Oh mainly by mules.
OF Rome it is unnecessary to say any
thing. There is hardly child in the
United States ignorant OF the history OF
this most famous city in the world. Ii
would be well here, however, TO correct
a false impression which is current with
many persons, and some well informed
ones among them. In Rome and through
out the Roman territory facilities for ed
ucation abound to greater extent than
in any other part of the Continent, ex,
ceptlng France and Germany. A. the
last census the ratio of educated persons
in Rome was estimated at one TO six o.
the whole population, which is better
exhibit than in England, whore the ratio
is as one to eight and half There ART
several universities and numerous other
schools in the territory, at most of which
education is free.
By the annexation of the States of the
Church to Italy, the oldest Government
in Europe will be swept out of existence
During the reign of the Emperor Con
stantine, the Catholic Church began ac
quiring property in Rome, In 726 th'
Popes possessed considerable power an,
influence. Elected by popular vote, the.
: had eadeared themselves to the people
/ who finally paid them that allegianc
which had been extended to the EmpC
/ rors. When, in TAI, the Lombards lai'
siege to Rome, the Pontitf, Gregory, III.
f sent an embassy to France ilnploring tn
aid of Charles Msrtel. Subsequent,
J Pope Stephen ii, obtained the aid o
} Pekin, who marched an army into Italy
defeated the Lnmbards and compelled
their King not only to abandon his de
: sign upon Rome, but also to cede TO th'
: Pope great deal of territory, situated
, principally on the Adriatic. From thi
5 time the Popes became temporal sover
) eigns and their territorial possession
Q were greatly enlarged by Charlemagnc
, after his obstruction Of the Lombar,
/ monarchy. Ever since the Popes hav
. been the rulers of Rome and grea
/ part of Italy, Repeatedly driven fror