14- RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



serious duties to perform, and these duties we are 

 resolved to fulfil. 



"Do not lose an hour in letting me know what 

 answer you have received to the pressing advice of 

 which you will find the text inclosed. It is important 

 for us to know what we have to expect. 



"DROUYN DE LHUYS." 



The Minister of Foreign Affairs to M. Ferdinand de 

 Lesseps. 



"PAKis, May 10, 1849. 



" We have learnt that General Oudinot had thought 

 it incumbent to request a commissioner sent, in the 

 name of the Holy Father, to Civita Vecchia, not to 

 prolong his stay in that town, where his presence 

 produced a bad effect. The Government of the 

 Eepublic quite approves of this step, dictated by a 

 sound comprehension of the necessities of the situa- 

 tion and of what the safety of our army demands. 



"Until the object of our expedition has been 

 attained we cannot allow centres of authority to be 

 organised outside our influence upon the territory we 

 occupy, which might, even if unintentionally, go 

 counter to our action and compromise its success. It 

 is with this in view, that you will make use of the 

 powers which have been confided to you. ]N"o one 

 better than yourself will know how to use these 

 powers with the necessary degree of firmness and at 



