Year: 1860

On the subject Of the recent Of the Piedmont
csc into the States of the Holy See the Cardinal Secre
tary of State has addressed the foosng note to all the
members Of the diplomatic body residing in Rome. Its
dated from the Vatican, lSth inst


The undersigned greatly regrets the necessity Of COM
muncang the representatives OF the foreign Powers
TO the Holy See statement OF facts more and more de-
porabe but the force of circumstances grave and
the impeuos,y of the violence used towards the most
pacific of Sovcregn the august Head of the Church. is
so astounding that he cannot refrain from addressing to
them the present communication being impeled thereto
not only by his duty as a Minister, but also by the
press commands of his Holiness


Since had the honor of explaining to your Eexeel-
lences by the note Of the l2th inst that the Piedmont
ese Government taking hostile against the
Government Of the Hoy Sec without any proyocatlOn
on the part Of the latter adding crime to crime, adding
armed revolt 70 it, legitimate authority In order TO OBJ
tain possession Of the provinces which remain 10 the
Holy See after the usurpaOn Of the Romagnas the
Poutfcal Government relying on is' right, has made
and is still making every possible effort despite the small
number OF its troops arrest the impeuosiy OF the u
vason but the enemy forces so overwhelming that
Is possible the defence hold out long Pesaro
having been captured the Pedmontce took prisoner the
Ponthcal Delegate who was even exposed to outrage
as also the commandant, who had resisted the attack
On the other hand body attacked Peruga,
which, after repusing vigorous assault was compelled
10 surrender, aud the General in command with the
whole garrison became prisoners Of war The same
1
0ryieto has been carried by volunteers, parsans OF
Piedmont, who now threaten Viterbo.


The Holy Father has nearly all the States which
are the patrimony of the Church aud OF Catholics
away from him bit by Bit Notwithstanding that the En-
peror Of the French has declared to Piedmont that he
should have opposed the recent INVASION and would have
broken of all arrangements with that Government II
the latter had not given him the that the
ted utimaiion made the Holy See would not be carr-
ed out and that the Sardnians would not attack the
PontiGcial troops


In this state of things the undersigned Cardinal
plains and protests 10 the name Of his Holiness against
acts so destructive of all law human aud divine and
Assang the independence Of the Of the Supreme Head
Of the Church. and the integrity Of the temporal domain
with which he has been invested by the dispensaons of
Providence for the good Of religion and Of the Church
and which the Church hasaWfuy possessed for many
centuries past.


l. therefore, request your Excellcncy to communicate
to your august Sovereign this complaint and protest.
The principles OF justice order aud morality, which all
princes are bound to maintain and defend for the safety
Of their thrones give that they will oppose
barrier 10 this spirit Of usurpaon which, treadng all
law under eot spreads disorder by armed force 10 9th
States in order 70 spoations the in
jury Of the lawful sovereign What also gives no less
confidence to the Holy Father is the thought that atten


ton will be paid to the prayers Of many millions OF
Catholics scattered through all Kingdoms who earnestly
impore that a termination may be put to the anguish
and cslamities in which the father Of all has
| been plunged


The undersigned your Excelency of his high
i consideration &c. ANTONELLl.