“There are for France only three parts to take in the Roman States.  She ought to declare herself for us, against us, or neutral.  To declare herself for us would be to recognize our republic, and fight side by side with us against the Austrians.  To declare against us is to crush without motive the liberty, the national life, of a friendly people, and fight side by side with the Austrians.  France cannot do that.  She will not risk a European war to depress us, her ally.  Let her, then, rest neutral in this conflict between us and our enemies.  Only yesterday we hoped more from her, but to-day we demand but this.

“The occupation of Civita Vecchia is a fact accomplished; let it go.  France thinks that, in the present state of things, she ought not to remain distant from the field of battle.  She thinks that, vanquishers or vanquished, we may have need of her moderative action and of her protection.  We do not think so; but we will not react against her.  Let her keep Civita Vecchia.  Let her even extend her encampments, if the numbers of her troops require it, in the healthy regions of Civita Vecchia and Viterbo.  Let her then wait the issue of the combats about to take place.  All facilities will be offered her, every proof of frank and cordial sympathy given; her officers can visit Rome, her soldiers have all the solace possible.  But let her neutrality be sincere and without concealed plans.  Let her declare herself in explicit terms.  Let her leave us free to use all our forces.  Let her restore our arms.  Let her not by her cruisers drive back from our ports the men who come to our aid from other parts of Italy.  Let her, above all, withdraw from before our walls, and cause even the appearance of hostility to cease between two nations who, later, undoubtedly are destined to unite in the same international faith, as now they have adopted the same form of government.”

In his answer, Lesseps appears moved by this statement, and particularly expresses himself thus:—­

“One point appears above all to occupy you; it is the thought that we wish forcibly to impose upon you the obligation of receiving us as friends. Friendship and violence are incompatible. Thus it would be inconsistent on our part to begin by firing our cannon upon you, since we are your natural protectors. Such a contradiction enters neither into my intentions, nor those of the government of the French republic, nor of our army and its honorable chief.”

These words were written at the head-quarters of Oudinot, and of course seen and approved by him.  At the same time, in private conversation, “the honorable chief” could swear he would occupy Rome by “one means or another.”  A few days after, Lesseps consented to conditions such as the Romans would tolerate.  He no longer insisted on occupying Rome, but would content himself with good positions in the country.  Oudinot protested that the Plenipotentiary had “exceeded