July 8.

The report of this morning is that the French yesterday violated the domicile of our Consul, Mr. Brown, pretending to search for persons hidden there; that Mr. Brown, banner in one hand and sword in the other, repelled the assault, and fairly drove them down stairs; that then he made them an appropriate speech, though in a mixed language of English, French, and Italian; that the crowd vehemently applauded Mr. Brown, who already was much liked for the warm sympathy he had shown the Romans in their aspirations and their distresses; and that he then donned his uniform, and went to Oudinot to make his protest.  How this was received I know not, but understand Mr. Brown departed with his family yesterday evening.  Will America look as coldly on the insult to herself, as she has on the struggle of this injured people?

To-day an edict is out to disarm the National Guard.  The generous “protectors” wish to take all the trouble upon themselves.  Rome is full of them; at every step are met groups in the uniform of France, with faces bronzed in the African war, and so stultified by a life without enthusiasm and without thought, that I do not believe Napoleon would recognize them as French soldiers.  The effect of their appearance compared with that of the Italian free corps is that of body as compared with spirit.  It is easy to see how they could be used to purposes so contrary to the legitimate policy of France, for they do not look more intellectual, more fitted to have opinions of their own, than the Austrian soldiery.

July 10.

The plot thickens.  The exact facts with regard to the invasion of Mr. Brown’s house I have not been able to ascertain.  I suppose they will be published, as Oudinot has promised to satisfy Mr. Cass.  I must add, in reference to what I wrote some time ago of the position of our Envoy here, that the kind and sympathetic course of Mr. Cass toward the Republicans in these troubles, his very gentlemanly and courteous bearing, have from the minds of most removed all unpleasant feelings.  They see that his position was very peculiar,—­sent to the Papal government, finding here the Republican, and just at that moment violently assailed.  Unless he had extraordinary powers, he naturally felt obliged to communicate further with our government before acknowledging this.  I shall always regret, however, that he did not stand free to occupy the high position that belonged to the representative of the United States at that moment, and peculiarly because it was by a republic that the Roman Republic was betrayed.

But, as I say, the plot thickens.  Yesterday three families were carried to prison because a boy crowed like a cock at the French soldiery from the windows of the house they occupied.  Another, because a man pursued took refuge in their court-yard.  At the same time, the city being mostly disarmed, came the edict to take down the insignia of the Republic, “emblems of anarchy.”  But worst of all they have done is an edict commanding all foreigners who had been in the service of the Republican government to leave Rome within twenty-four hours.  This is the most infamous thing done yet, as it drives to desperation those who stayed because they had so many to go with and no place to go to, or because their relatives lie wounded here:  no others wished to remain in Rome under present circumstances.