1808.) 
6¢ We do, for this end, choofe a period 
when we are in friendly relation with all the 
Powers of the Continent—for only then, if 
fuch meafures are ripely adopted, and ce- 
mented by time, can fuccefs be expected 
from them, in cafe they fhouid become 
needful. 
. 6 To execute thefe meafures, we have ap- 
pointed Plenipotentiaries, whofe knowledge, 
' zeal, and attachment to our Perfon and the 
State, have been repeatecly tried. —They 
‘have received definitive inftru&tion as to the 
“snanner and time of execution, and will take 
the other requifite meafurcs accordingly. 
«6 We expeét our beloved fubjects, who 
thave «}ways fhewn, in a moft Jauceble man- 
mer, their unfhaken devotion and fidelity 
towards us, will acknowledge in that regu- 
Jarion the full meafure of our paternal de- 
figns, and aflift to carry them into effect 
with all their might, as a meafure infepa- 
rable from their welfare. The activity and 
_ prudence difplayed in this bufinefs fhall ob- 
tain our fpecial approdation, and recommend 
those who fhail laudably diftinguifh them- 
felves in this particular. 
¢¢ Given in our capital and place of refi- 
dence, Vienna, June gth, in the year 1808, 
and of our reign, the eighth year. 
( ** FRANCIS.” 
tt 
‘3 at ROME. 
|. Answer of his Eminence Cardinal Gamnievtt, 
, First Scerctary of State to the Pope, to the 
_ Wate of his Excellency M. CHamPpacny, 
fram the Empersr of France, dated April 19: 
| € After your Excellency had made known 
' tothe Holy Father, that it was the decided 
_ wish “of his Majesty the Emperor and King, 
that he should enter into an offensive and de- 
fensive league with the other Powers of Italy, 
as had been declared by M. Champagny, to 
- the Cardinal Caprara, ‘by' note of the 3d cur- 
_ fent, the dispatch of the Cardinal has. been 
received, which brought the original note of 
the above minister. ; 
“©The Holy Father, after having atten- 
tively read and considered the said document, 
~ hap ordered Cardinal Gabrie|}i, First Secretary 
of State, to make known to your Excellency 
his Holiness’s sentiments on its contents; be- 
Binning with that which forms the cardinal 
_ pnint among all the ochers. His Holiness 
} has seen with pain, that even the final propo- 
r 
? 
Sition therein contained, of the-offensive and 
defensive league, should be accompanied with 
the threat of depriving him of his temporal 
dominions, in case of his non-compliance. If 
worlaly considerations had at all influenced the 
conduct of the Holy Father, he would from 
the firse have yielded to the wish of his Ma- 
jesty, and not have exposed himself to suffer 
‘$0 many calamities; but the Holy Father is 
+ segulated alone by the consideration due to 
his duty, and bis conscience: both have pre- 
vented him from agreeing to the federation, 
m7 and they equally binder him from consenting 
% 
+ a ‘ 
State of Public Affairs in Fulys 
69 
to the offensive and defensive league, whica 
differs but in name; its nature, however, 
does not except any Prince, to whom the 
Pope, according to the circumstances of the 
times, might not become an enemy. 
| €© His Holiness feels, moreover, that this 
article, far from improving, detratts from 
his situation. In the articles presented to 
Cardinal de Bayan, the federation was pro- 
posed as alone against heretics and the Eng 
lish. But this is couched in general terms, 
pointing out no people as an enemy, yet ex- 
cluding no government, no nation, from the 
contingency ef becoming one. IF, then, his 
Holicess declined, from conscientious mo- 
tives, to be a party to that federation, 80 is 
he equally withheld from this league The 
Holy Father would not merely hind himself 
fo a defence, but to an aggresson. Then 
would be seen the Minister of the God of 
Peace placing hinfself in a state of perpetual 
warfare; then would be seen their common 
father in arms against his children, and the 
Head of the Chusch exposing himself, by his 
own act, toa deprivation of his spiritual cons 
net jen with the Catholics of those Powers 
against which the league would make it im- 
perarive on him to act hostilely. How then 
can his Holiness shake off his power and nae 
tural character, and sacrifice, as must be the 
‘consequence, the interest of religion ? 
«: His Holiness, unlike other Princes, is ine 
vested with a two-fold character, namely, of 
Sovereign Pontiff, and of temporal Sovereign, 
and has given repeated evidence that he cane 
not, by virtue of this second qu lification, enter 
upon engagement which would lead to results 
militating against the first aad mast import- 
ant office, and injuring the religion of which 
he is the head, the Prop»gator, and the Aven- 
ger. is Holiness, therefore cannot enter into 
any offersiveand defensive league, which would, 
by a permanent and progressive system, drag 
him into hostility against all those powers 
upon which his Majesty may think proper to 
make war, since the Itsl:an States, now de- 
pendent upon his Majesty, can never ayoid 
taking part insuch wars. His Holiness would 
consequently be onliged to become a party in 
them by virtue of this league. Such an en. 
gagement must begin to be acted upon by the 
Pope from this moment, and against any 
Catholic Prince ; thus waging war against him 
without 4 motive Fartlier, it must be waged 
against all- those powers, whether Catholic or 
not, who may, upon whatever grounds, be 
the enemies of any Italian Prince. 
*¢ Thus is the Head of the Church, ace 
customed as he is to rule his estates in peace, 
driven in a moment toa state of warfare, ofa 
fensive against hostile powers, and defensive 
of the others. This engagement is too ree 
pugnant to the sacred duties of his Holiness, 
and too injurious to the interests of religion, 
to be entered into by the Head of that reli- 
gion, His Holiness feels that it would be a 
dereliction of truth to enter the leaguemhe 
would 
