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CHA P. II.

Means for preventing the future Power of the Roman Pontiffs. And that of Auftria over the Countries compofing the Republics on the North and South of the Po.-Moderation and Lenity of the French Republic to the Non-juring Clergy. At the fame Time that their Bigotry and Superfition are expofed to ridicule.-Exceffive Rejoicings and Exultations of the French at the Succeffes of their Arms in Italy.-Jealousy, Envy, and Refentment, against Buonaparte.-Who ufes Precautions for warding off the Effects of thefe, 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 fmall Republic.-Prevalence of Republican Principles in Italy.-Honour paid there to the French and Buonaparte. Preparations of Aufiria, for difputing 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 Gradifca and Goritz.--Municipal Governments settled in both these Towns, on the Republican Plan.-The Auftrians defeated with fevere Lofs near Tarvis.-Audacious Spirit of the French Prifoners of War.-The Infection of this Spirit dreaded by the Imperial Ministry.—A Divifion of the French Army, under Joubert, penetrates into the Tyrol.-Reduces moff of the frong Forts of that Country.-And gains other fignal Advantages. The French obtain Poffefion of Brixen.-Proclamations of Buonaparte, addreffed to the Subjects of the Emperor.-The Auftrians obliged to abandon their Head-Quarters at Clagenfurth.-The French cross the Drave.-Farther Succeffes of the French, under Joubert, in the Tyrol.Remarkable Engagement between the Auftrians and French, in the Defiles' leading to Newmarck.-The Auftrians continually defeated, but not dif couraged.-Confternation at Vienna.-But invincible Courage of the Auftrian and Hungarian Nobles.-Interefting Letter from Buonaparte to the Archduke Charles. And the Archduke's Answer.—Armistice between the Auftrians and French.-Honours and Praises beflowed by the French Directory on the Army.--Reflections.

A
FTER humbling, or rather in-
deed annihilating, in this man-
ner, the powers and importance
formerly annexed to the fee of
Rome, the political views of the re-
public were directed to the means

of never fuffering future pontiffs to to recover them. It had already made an effential progrefs in this bufinefs, by formally approving the confederation of Reggio, Medena, Bologna, and Ferrara. To thefe

it now added Romagna, for the purpose of forming a larger commonwealth, and affented to the petition of the people of the Milanefe, and the other diftricts of Lombardy, who were eager to follow that example, by framing a republican compact on a fimilar plan.

The union of interefts, which would, for many years, indiffolubly connect thefe, two republics, was the beft fecurity that they would make a common cause against the restoration of either the Auftrian or the papal power; both which were equally inimical to their newly acquired liberties, and would neglect no opportunity of re lucing them to their former yoke. The French go ́vernment, having refolved to accede to no pacification that fhould replace thefe countries in the poffeffion of two fuch inveterate enemies as Rome and Auftria, was equally ftudious to enable them, by proper arrangements among themfelves, to acquire a degree of ftrength fufficient to maintain the republican government they had erected, againft the efforts which would be made to fubvert it by any Italian power. The population of the countries on the north and fouth of the Po, that compofed the two republics, was computed at upwards of four millions. This was amply adequate to their defence against their neighbours, without requiring the affiftance of France, which would only be needed to pro-, tect them from the hoftile defigns of Auftria; and in this cafe they would hortly be in a condition to cooperate effectually in refifting them. Thus the influence of France, in Italy, would henceforth be eftablifhed on the fureft foundation, the

neceffity of adhering faithfully to it by thofe ftates that depend on it for their prefervation.

In addition to these measures, others were taken, not lefs conducive to remove the charge of inhumanity against the French government, than to prove of utility to it in other refpects among the Italians. As the laws enacted in France against the refractory clergy, though condemning them to banishment, did not forbid their refidence in the countries conquered by the French, Buonaparte, who fought upon all occafions to adopt meafures of lenity, availed himself of the powers with which he was invefted, to iffue a proclamation in favour of thefe exiles. Herein he granted them a formal permiffion to refide in thofe parts of the pope's dominions, that had been fubdued by the armies of the republic. The French troops were ftrictly forbidden to illufe, or infult them, and the inhabitants of the country of all defcriptions were laid under the fame reftrictions. Thefe refugees were to be provided with all the neceffaries of life, at the expence of the convents appointed for their refidence. They were in return enjoined to take an oath of fidelity to the French government. This permiffion extended not only to those emigrant clergymen who had already taken refuge in the papal ter ritories occupied by the republic, but alfo to thofe remaining in France, that were defirous of availing themfelves of the like indulgence.

This regulation was highly conciliatory to thofe numbers of ecclefiaftics, who, though difapproving. of the changes effected in politics and religious affairs in France, still

could not avoid feeling for their country, and being defirous of its welfare and reputation. Though it had banished them, through apprehenfions of danger from their principles, yet the prefent measure fhewed that it had not divefted it felf of all confideration for them. The priests did not forget the fervice thus rendered them. However averfe to the fyftem established in their country, they ftill evinced, on feveral occafions, an attachment to its interefts, and a readiness to forward them as far as their confciences would permit.

But while Buonaparte was intent on mitigating the rigour exercifed on the non-juring clergy, the French directory took no lefs care to lay before the infpection of the public, fundry objects of the fuperftitious veneration of thofe ignorant and credulous multitudes, over whom they fill retained fo much influence. Thofe objects were the principal relics contained in the church of Loretto. They were tranfinitted to France, in order to be expofed to derifion, and to leffen, by their evident abfurdity, the refpect and credit of the Romih clergy, as abettors, either through bigotry or hypocrify, of thofe equally fhameful and ridiculous impofitions.

In the mean time, the rejoicings and exultation of the French, at the capture of Mantua, and the continual fucceffes of their arms in Italy, filled every part of the French republic. The fpeeches that were pronounced on this occafion, in the council of five hundred, and in that of the ancients, contained all the applause of their foldiers and commanders that enthufiafm could inspire, and all the reprobation of

their enemies that thirst of revenge could produce.

There was, however, a circumftance that diminished the fatif faction, enjoyed by the people, at the triumphs of the French armies. It was in the contemplation of many, to beftow upon the commander-inchief fuch a remuneration, as might confpicuoufly 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 ftates. All parties agreed in acknowledging the extraordinary merit of Buonaparte, and the wonderful actions he had performed. But there was alfo a party, which, though it did not deny the greatnels of his exploits, did not however coincide in the propriety of fuch a recompenfe. They either thought, or pretended to think, it inconfiftent with thofe maxims of fimplicity in rewards, that had hitherto diftin guifled the republican government. This furmife 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 thofe that longed for the return of monarchy were fo enfeebled by the events of the campaign of Italy, that they could not difguife their grief. It was not from them the author of thefe events could expect to be rewarded for what they would have been better pleased that he had never performed. Thus a diftinction, which the majority of people afferted he had highly deferved, was withheld from him, through refentment and envy, by the intrigues of the enemies to the republic, under pretence of

acting conformably to its principles.

The indifference teftified on this and on fome preceding occafions, at the fucceffes of Buonaparte and his companions in arms, produced both in him and them a fufpicion, that malevolent defigns were harboured against the republic; and that, notwithstanding the warmth expreffed by the numerous majority in its favour, a fecret party was forming that confifted of men equally artful and perfevering, who would employ every poffible method of depreciating the fervices rendered to it, and who were at the fame time fo thoroughly determined to effect their purposes, that no obftacles could weary out their patience in ftriving to compafs them.

From this perfuafion of their commander-in-chief and his officers, arofe the repeated affurances of inviolable attachment and fidelity to the exifting government. They thought them neceflary to impofe a reftraint upon its oppofers, and to deter them from the attempts they might be meditating, by letting them fee how refolutely and effectually they would be refifted.

In order to conciliate the minds of all people to the republic, Buonaparte had been particularly folicitous, ever fince his appointment to the fupreme command of the French army in Italy, to diftinguish himself by a punctual obfervance of all thofe maxims, on which the zealous and fincere republicans chiefly prided themfelves. He cautiously avoided all oftentation, and in his perfonal demeanour readily put himself on a footing of perfect equality with all perfons of decent fituations in fociety. Hence he had made himfelf a number of friends, not only

among the French, but among the Italians, who had hitherto experienced little of that condefcenfion, efpecially from the Germans, whe feldom ftudied to make their authority acceptable among the natives. The French commander never omitted any opportunity of ingratiating himself either in his private or public intercourse, for either of which he was equally qualified, by his education and the politeness of his

manners. The influence he had acquired, by these means, poffibly was not inferior to that which he had obtained by his exploits. Thefe made him dreaded, but the others procured him efteem and attachment. The folicitude he had manifefted, in effecting and confolidating the federal union between the republics, of which he had encouraged the foundation, had, more than any other circumftance, railed his fame and credit among the Italian politicians, who had long withed for the revival of fuch fyftems in their country, recollecting how much it had formerly flourished under them.

In compliance with this difpofition, which was now become very general in Italy, and to give it every poflible countenance and encouragement, the French commander, while on the papal territories, availed himfelf of that opportunity to take respectful notice of the little but ancient commonwealth of St. Marino, fituated in the dutchy of Urbino. He deputed thither citizen Monge, one of the commiffioners of arts, and a member of the national inftitute, a man of genius and knowledge. The commiffioner made a fpeech to the people of St. Marino, which feemed to be intended as an addrefs to all Italy, and indeed to all Europe. He obferved that liberty,

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were making for another trial of fortune, to be the laft that could poffibly be made. Full of this per fuafion, a moft formidable army was again collected, from the numerous divifions and garrifons in the Auftrian service. Their patriotifin and honour were equally excited by every motive that could ftimulate either. To do the Austrians justice, they had displayed enough of both to preferve their character unfullied. But the extremity to which their fovereign and their country was now reduced evidently called for greater exertions than ever.

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The archduke Charles, though a prince of high spirit, and of an enterprifing difpofition, was not by the public reputed an adequate match for Buonaparte. This latter, had raised himself entirely by his talents and merit; but the former owed what he was evidently to his royal birth. No expectations were formed, by those who attended to their respective characters, that he would be able to cope with the abilities of the French general.

The Auftrians had been fo completely defeated, at the battle of Rivoli, that they had ever fince been averse to take the field againft the French. They were cautiously posted on the northern fide of the Piava, waiting for the reinforcements of which the Archduke's army was chiefly to confift. The French, on the south of that river, and of the Lavifio, were watchful of their motions, conftantly repelling them whenever they attempted to crofs either. Part of February and of March were confumed in hoftilities of this nature.

As foon as the archduke had affumed the command, the French determined to march against him,

before he had received a farther addition to the ftrength already arrived. To this intent they advanced to the Piava, in three divifions. The firft commanded by Massena, effected its paffage over, near Feltri, on the tenth of March, and compel led the Auftrians to withdraw to Belluno, higher up that river. The fecond divifion, under Serrurier, proceeded to Afola, in the neighbourhood of which, he also croffed on the twelfth, after putting to the rout a body of Auftrians that oppofed him. Several other corps were encamped near this one: but they did not venture to fupport it, and they all made a precipitate retreat, in apprehenfion of being furrounded, and cut off by the two divifions that had already croffed, and by another that was then croffing the river. It was headed by general Guiaux, who advanced that very evening to Conagliono, and, on the next day, the thirteenth, to Sacali, where he overtook the rear guard of a large divifion of the Auftrians, and made a number of prifoners. Maffena, after taking poflefsion of Balluno, purfued the enemy that was retreating to Cadora, and took fome hundreds. On the fixteenth, all the French divifions directed their march to the Tagliomento. The Auftrians were intrenched on the oppofite fide, in hope of being more fuccefsful, in defending the paffage of this river, than of the Piava. The archduke commanded them in perfon, and was duly fenfible of the neceffity of flopping the progrefs of the French, and that, by paffing this river, they would be able to over-run a large extent of country. This action, which both he and Buonaparte confidered as decifive, began at mid-day. The

French

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