THE MISSION TO ROME. 23 



" Previous to the sitting at which yesterday's reso- 

 lution was carried, I had several visitors in my room, 

 among others M. Charles Bonaparte, who was to take 

 the chair. An attempt was made to draw a distinction 

 between my intentions and those of General Oudinot 

 and the French Government. I was asked what 

 could be done to destroy the prejudices which existed 

 in this respect among the Koman population. I then 

 told them that nothing could be easier, as you had 

 just written to me under date of the 10th, signifying 

 your approval of the conduct of General Oudinot, who 

 had thought it best to expel from Civita Yecchia an 

 envoy of the Pope, whose presence was calculated to 

 produce a bad effect and hamper our action. I need 

 scarcely assure you that I do not say a word more 

 than is necessary to extricate us from one of the most 

 difficult positions in which we have been for a long 

 time placed ; that in all other respects I am very 

 reserved in my relations with every one ; and that if 

 I listen to men of all nations, all sorts, and all 

 parties, who come to see me as early as five in the 

 morning and as late as midnight, giving them all a 

 cordial welcome, it is in order to accomplish to the 

 best of my ability the mission you have entrusted 

 me with. 



" To-morrow probably will begin the negotiations ; 

 I am starting for head-quarters in order to concert 

 about them with the General, with whom I am on 

 such terms as might be expected from his patriotism 



