THE MISSION TO ROME. 21 



the Assembly, and many other persons of influence 

 over the inhabitants, are favourable to it. The result 

 seems well assured, and it does not compromise us in 

 any way, as the object is to enable us to negotiate 

 with the executive of a Government which we cannot 

 recognise officially. It has been arrived at after 

 exertions which have not left me a minute's leisure. 

 "When I arrive with a deputation from the Assembly 

 at head-quarters, it will be the time to come to some 

 arrangement. I have just drawn up a scheme, of 

 which a copy is annexed herewith. I shall go and 

 discuss the basis of it to-morrow morning with the 

 General, and probably with M. d'Harcourt, whose 

 arrival is announced as imminent. You will see for 

 yourself whether he conciliates the very complicated 

 interests which we have to study, whether he reserves 

 for the Government of the Eepublic full liberty to 

 pursue, according as its interests and fresh circum- 

 stances may dictate, a clear and resolute course of 

 policy. 



"A column of 12,000 men, infantry, cavalry, and 

 artillery, under the command of Garibaldi, left at 

 five o'clock this afternoon to attack the Neapolitans. 



"FERDINAND DE LESSEPS. 



" P.S. I have paid a visit, in company of M. de la 

 Tour d'Auvergne, to two hospitals in which twenty- 

 six French soldiers, wounded in the engagement of 

 April 30th, are under treatment. I promised them 



