THE MISSION TO ROME. 5 



which would leave me such latitude and initiative 

 that my political action would not be hampered either 

 by the general entrusted with the military operations 

 or by orders which would clash with unforeseen events 

 that might have occurred since the 30th of April. He 

 also advised me to get several copies of the Moniteur 

 (then the French official journal, which contained the 

 reports of the debates in the Assembly) and hand over 

 one to General Oudinot as soon as I arrived, being of 

 opinion that it was upon the decision of the Chamber 

 that we should base our course of action. 



The text of these instructions was as follows : 



" The events which have marked the first steps of the 

 French expedition sent to Civita Vecchia being calcu- 

 lated to complicate a question which at first seemed a 

 very simple one, the Government has come to the con- 

 clusion that it is advisable to appoint, in addition to 

 the military commander of the forces despatched to 

 Italy, a diplomatic agent, who, devoting himself ex- 

 clusively to the negotiations and relations to be 

 established with the Koman authorities and inhabitants, 

 will be able to give these grave matters the close 

 attention and anxious care which they require. Your 

 tried zeal, your experience, and the conciliatory dis- 

 position which you have more than once displayed in 

 the course of your career, have induced the Govern- 

 ment to select you for this delicate mission. I have 

 explained to you the present state of the question 



