tions for defence. A corps of near two thousand men had been posted on the high grounds that command the access to this important place, towards the land; but the French general Victor, found means to surround them, and they surrendered without resistance. The next place of consideration that fell into the hands of the French, was Loretto, famous for the credulity and superstition exhibited there in modern ages. The treasure contained in the church, where the donations of princes and states and the rich offerings of personages of the first rank and opulence had been so long accumuJating, had been partly removed by the Austrian general Colli, commander in chief of the papal forces. The French, how.ver, found articles to the value of about a million of their money. But, to do them justice, it was not plunder nor devastation they sought in conquering the pope's dominions for which indeed they could plead no pretence, as the inhabitants now sub mitted to them without opposition, and seemed, in many places, intirely disposed to fraternize with French principles. After subduing the intermediate country, from Lore to to Macarate, Buonaparte fixed his quarters in this place on the twelfth of February. He was now within forty leagues of Rome, and it was evideat that no obstacle could retard his march to that city. In order to terminate hostilities with all speed, he wrote a letter to cardinal Mattai, wherein, after reproaching the pope for his endeavours to injure the republic, he advised him to trust to the generosity of the French, and to have immediate recourse to a pacification. He specified that five days would be allowed him to conclude a peace, for which purpose he would meet the persons commissioned to negociate it at a place which he appointed. The situation of the pope, deprived of all hope of assistance from any quarter, and relinquished even by his own people, left him no other expedient to save himself, and the Roman see, 'from absolute ruin, than to accept of such conditions as could be obtained from an exasperated enemy, conscious that he submitted through unavoidable necessity, and would possibly observe the terms he agreed to no longer than those who imposed them were able to enforce their observance. Yidding, however reluctantly, to circumstances, he wrote a letter to Buonaparte, apprising him of his desire to treat, and requesting that he would grant just and honourable conditions. Four persons were deputed to the French general, as the papal plenipotentiaries on this occasion. Cardinal Mattæi, and duke Braschi, the pope's nephew, were the principal. The conditions of this treaty were of the same tenour as those concluded by the French with other powers. The pope renounced his alliance with the coalition. He agreed to disband the troops he had . levied against the republic, and to shut his ports against the ships of war belonging to its enemies, and not to furnish them with supplies of any kind. All the rights and privileges enjoyed by France, in the papal dominions, previously to the revolution, were confirmed. ceded to the French, in full sovereignty, the country of Avignon, and every place in France, formerly He subject CHA P. II, Means for preventing the future Power of the Roman Pontiffs.-And that of Austria over the Countries composing the Republics on the North and South of the Po.-Moderation and Lenity of the French Republic to the Non-ju-~ ring Clergy. At the same Time that their Bigotry and Superstition are exposed to ridicule.-Excessive Rejoicings and Exultations of the French at the Successes of their Arms in Italy.-Jealousy, Envy, and Resentment, against Buonaparte.-Who uses Precautions for warding off the Effects of these, and gaining Popularity and Confidence, not only in France but Italy. Moderation and Prudence of the Inhabitants of St. Marino.-Munificence of Buonaparte to that small Republic.-Prevalence of Republican Principles in Italy.-Honour paid there to the French and Buonaparte.-Preparations of Austria, for disputing with the French the Empire of Italy.-The Imperial Army in Italy, commanded by the Archduke Charles-Attacked by the French, and forced to retreat.-Capture of Gradisca and Goritz.-Muni cipal Governments settled in both these Towns, on the Republican Plan.The Austrians defeated with severe Loss near Tarvis.-Audacious Spirit of the French Prisoners of War.-The Infection of this Spirit dreaded by the Imperial Ministry.-A Division of the French Army, under Joubert, penetrates into the Tyrol.-Reduces most of the strong Forts of that Coun try. And gains other signal Advantages.-The French obtain Possession of Brixen.-Proclamations of Buonaparte, addressed to the Subjects of the Emperor.-The Austrians obliged to abandon their Head-Quarters at Clagenfurth-The French cross the Drave.-Farther Successes of the French, under Joubert, in the Tyrol.-Remarkable Engagement between the Austrians and French, in the Defiles leading to Newmarck.-The Austrians continuully defeated, but not discouraged.-Consternation at Vienna.—But invincible Courage of the Austrian and Hungarian Nobles.-Interesting Letter from Buonaparte to the Archduke Charles.—And the Archduke's Ansaver-Armistice between the Austrians and Prench-Honours and Praises bestowed by the French Directory on the Army.-Reflections Adeed annihilating, in this man FTER humbling, or rather in ner, the powers and importance formerly annexed to the see of Rome, the political views of the republic were directed to the means of never suffering future pontiffs to recover them. It had already made an essential progress in this business, by formally approving the confederation of Reggio, Modena, Bologna, and Ferrara. To these it now added Romagna, for the purpose of forming a larger commonwealth, and assented to the petition of the people of the Milanese, and the other districts of Lombardy, who were eager to follow that example, by framing a republican compact on a similar plan. The union of interests, which would, for many years, indissolubly connect these two republics, was the best security that they would make a common cause against the restoration of either the Austrian or the papal power; both which were equally inimical to their newly acquired liberties, and would neglect no opportunity of reducing them to their former yoke. The French government, having resolved to accede to no pacification that should replace these countries in the possession of two such inveterate enemies as Rome and Austria, was equally studious to enable them, by proper arrangements among themselves, to acquire a degree of strength sufficient to maintain the republican government they had erected, against the efforts which would be made to subvert it by any Italian power. The population of the countries on the north and south of the Po, that composed the two republics, was computed at upwards of four millions. This was amply adequate to their defence against their neighbours, without requiring the assistance of France, which would only be needed to protect them from the hostile designs of Austria; and in this case they would shortly be in a condition to cooperate effectually in resisting them. Thus the influence of France, in Italy, would henceforth be esta blished on the surest foundation, the necessity of adhering faithfully to it by those states that depend on it for their preservation. In addition to these measures, others were taken, not less condu cive to remove the charge of inhu manity against the French govern ment, than to prove of utility to it in other respects among the Italians. As the laws enacted in France against the refractory clergy,though condemning them to banishment, did not forbid their residence in the countries conquered by the French, Buonaparte, who sought upon all occasions to adopt measures of lenity, availed himself of the pow ers with which he was invested, to issue a proclamation in favour of these exiles. Herein he granted them a formal permission to reside in those parts of the pope's dominions, that had been subdued by the armies of the republic. The French troops were strictly forbidden to ill use, or insult them, and the inhabi tants of the country of all descriptions were laid under the same restrictions. These refugees were to be provided with all the necessaries of life, at the expence of the con vents appointed for their residence. They were in return enjoined to take an oath of fidelity to the French government. This per mission extended not only to those emigrant clergymen who had already taken refuge in the papal territories occupied by the republic, but also to those remaining in France, that were desirous of availing themselves of the like indulgence. This regulation was highly con ciliatory to those numbers of ecclesiastics, who, though disapproving of the changes effected in politics and religious affairs in France, still [C2) could could not avoid feeling, for their country, and being desirous of its welfare and reputation. Though it had banished them, through apprehensions of danger from their principles, yet the present measure shewed that it had not divested itself of all consideration for them. The priests did not forget the service thus rendered them. However avose to the system established in their country, they still evinced, on several occasions, an attachment to its interests, and a readiness to forward them as far as their conciences would permit. But while Buonaparte was intent on mitigating the rigour exercised on the non juring clergy, he French directory took no less care tolay before the inspection of the public, sundry objectsof thesuperstitions veneration of those ignorant and credulous mul. titudes, over whom they still retained so much influence." Those objects were the principal relics contained in the church of Loretto. They were transmitted to France, in order to be exposed to derision, and to 'essen, by their evident absurdity, the respect and credit of the Romish clergy, as abettors, either through bigotry or hypocrisy, of those equally shameful and ridiculousimpositions. In ile mean time, the rejoicings and exultation of the French, at the cipture of Mantua, and the continual successes of their arms in Italy, filled every part of the French republic. The speeches that were pronounced on this occasion, in the council of five hundred, and in that of the ancients, contained all the applause of their soldiers and commanders, that enthusiasm could inspire, and all the reprobation of their enemies that thirst of revenge. could produce. There was, however, 'a circumstance that diminished the satisfaction, enjoyed by the people, at the triumphs of the French armies. It was in the contemplation of many, to bestow upon the commander-inchief, such a remuneration, as might, conspicuously perpetuate the remembrance of his victories. This was to confer upon him the title of Italicus, in imitation of the precedents in ancient Rome, and in some modern states. All parties agreed in acknowledging the extraordinary merit of Buonaparte, and the wonderful actions he had performed. But there was also a party, which, though it did not deny the greatness of his exploits, did not however coincide in the propriety of such a recompence. They either thought, or pretended to think, it inconsistent with those maxims of simplicity. in rewards, that had hitherto distinguished the republican government. This surmise was deemed, by a great part of the public, to be founded in envy more than in truth, and proceeding from the royal rather than the republican party. The hopes of those that longed for the return of monarchy were so enfeebled by the events of the campaign of Italy, that they could not disguise their grief. It was not from them the author of these events could expect to be rewarded for what they' would have been better pleased that he had never performed. Thus a distinction, which the majority of people asserted he had highly deserved, was withheld from him through resentment and envy, by the intrigues of the enemies to the republic, under pretence of |