THE MISSION TO ROME. 47 



be no real resistance. I maintained that they were 

 mistaken; that once hostilities had been begun we 

 should be led on to shed a great deal of blood and 

 destroy many buildings ; that the resistance would be 

 an obstinate one ; that we should be obliged to lay a 

 regular siege ; and that though we should un- 

 doubtedly end by accomplishing our aim, nothing 

 being impossible to a French army, I would never 

 take upon myself the responsibility of evils easy to 

 foresee ; and that the general in command had re- 

 ceived no instructions which authorised him to assume 

 himself the responsibility contrary to my expressed 

 opinions. 



General Oudinot submitted to the consideration of 

 the Council the following question : 



" Is it desirable to abandon the negotiations and 

 resume the attack upon Kome, without regard to the 

 conclusions of M. de Lesseps and without awaiting 

 fresh instructions ? " 



The majority was at first inclined to vote for 

 attacking at once ; but General Molliere, well known 

 for his exploits in Algeria, the youngest member of 

 the Council, had not yet spoken. Being asked to 

 give his opinion, he said that he was sorry, as a 

 soldier, not to be able to vote in favour of immediate 

 action, but that he felt it difficult to dissent from my 

 opinion as to the expediency of waiting for fresh 

 instructions. It was accordingly decided to maintain 

 the statu quo. 



