Year: 1860

Interesting and Important Correspondence betsoeen
80 Victor Emmanuel and Plus TX.


LIE Nord of Brussels, of April 90, contains the follow


ing interesting correspondence between the King of Sar
dinia and the Roman Pont concerning the annexation
the Romagna to the dominons of the King and other incl
dents Of the pending controversy: lt
fel King Vietor Emmanuel to the Pope


MosT HOLY FATHER: In your letter of the Sd Decem.
Der last your Holiness requests maintain before Con-
gress the rights of the Holy See. must above ALL
my thanks to your Holiness for the sentiments which
led him to address himself to me on this occasion This
should not have neglected to do until if had not
waited for the Congress assemble it had been resov-
ed Expecting to the assembling of the Plenipoten-


ares definitely decided upon waited that might then in


regular reply to the important arguments
treated of in the letter which you have done me the honor
to address to me.


Your Holiness, in invoking my cooperation for the
cOyery of the Legations to intend to make
spOnsbe for all that has occurred in this part of Italy
fore accepting such respectfully ask your
Holiness to examine the following facts and considerations
devoted of the Church and descendant of very
pious race, your Holiness well knows, have always
norished sentiments of sincere attachment veneraton
and respect for the Holy Church and her august chief
Never has been, is it now, my intention to fall short
of my duties Catholic sovereign or TO lessen far
depends upon me- the rights and the authority which the
HOLY See exercises upon earth by virtue of the divine
pontment of Heaven but have also sacred duties per-
form toward God and toward toward the country and
the people which Divine Providence has conded my
government have always sought to reconcile these du
ties of Catholic sovereign with those of independent
ruler of free and civilized people, both the interior
minstraon Of my States and in the direction of my TO-
reign policy.


For many years Italy has been agated by which
all tend to the result the recovery of her ndepen
dence These events have already had cooperaor the
person of my lustrous father who obeyng the impulse
coming from the Vatican, and adopting the memorable
motto of Jules IT, sought to deliver country from for
eign domination Dying, he left me- legacy, this holy
enterprise, and in accepting it did not think that
opposing myself to the rulings of Providence which
tainy cannot approve of people being divided into OPP
pressors and oppressed As italian sovereign wanted
to deliver Italy, aud to bring this about thought it my
duty to accept the aid of all people of the Peninsula s
national war;


The legations for many years oppressed by foreign SOL
ders had rev0ted they retreaed They offered
me at the same time their help the and the Dictator
ship who had done nothing to provoke this insurrec-


on refused the Dictatorship my respect for
the Holy See, but accepted their aid in the of nde-
pendence, because that holy duty for every italian
citizen


When the war was terminated my Government re-
nounced all interference in the affairs of the Legations
And when the presence of bold (audaceuI general was
likely to endangsr the fate of the provinces occupied by
the troops of your Holiness exerted all my influence in
trying to make him withdraw from them.


The people, left entirely free and unenbarrassed by any
outside influence, demanded, in opposition to the
counsels of the most powerful and generous friend Italy
has ever had annexation to my Kingdom with ad-
| mrabe enthusiasm and unanimty. These wishes were
not attended to- And nevertheless this people, which had
but shortly before given such unmstakabe proofs of its
dscGntent with the Courts OF Rome to inspire ii with
continual apprehensOns has governed itself during several
months in most praiseworthy manner They have at


tended to all public interests maintained tranquility pro-
yded Tor individual security and the protection of religion
1t is known fact, and which have taken pains to
verify that the Legations the ministers of religion are
actually respected and protected and the temples of
God better requented than they before But how
ever this may be- it is the general conviction that the Gov
ernment of your Holiness cannot again obtain these pro-
vnces without the employment of and of foreign
troops. Your Holiness cannot desire this His generous
heart and evangelical charity will not to the spill


ing of Christian blood for the sake of reganng province
which, whatever the result of the war may be- would
always remain morally lost to the government of the church
| The interest of religion does not demand this


The moment is favorable 1t belongs me- the de-
voted OF Holiness to indicate the means of
pacyng country and re-establshng solid founda-


ons the prestige and the authority of the Holy See in Italy
And yet think my duty to indicate and submit to your
Holiness idea of which perfectly convinced 1t
this your Misunderstanding into consideration the ne
cesstes OF the times the growing of the principle
of natonaes, the irresistible outburt which forces the
Italians to form and organization conformable
to the rules adopted by all civilized natons-shoud believe
necessary to reclaim my frank and loyal succor there
would be way of establishing, not only in the Romagna
but also in the Marches and in Ombria state of things
which, while preserving to the Church its supreme power
and assuring to the Sovereign Pont glorious position
the head of the italian naton would at the time leave
the population of these provinces to participate the be-
nefts which strong and really national Government as
sures to the greater part of Central Italy.


hope your Holiness will delgn to take these reflections
into consideration, dictated they by sincere heart
devoted altogether to his person. and that with his habua
kindness he will bestOw upon his holy benedicion
Victor EMMANUEL.
TURIN, FEBRUARY 6, 1860.