Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar12100
belied them to the Republic by ties of gratitude as well as of interest . But its blindness prevented it from laying aside its hostile prejudices . It gave , vay without reserve to all the hopes to which the idea of the destruction of the Republic gave rise , while We alone were capable of defending them ; and it took advantage of peace only for the purpose of carrying on secret hostility ; -while we > on oilr part , were the most rig id observers of the treatyt This contrast will be made to appear from incontestible facts .
It would be needless here to recall to the recollection-of our readers the odious and revolting conduct which distinguished the Cabinet of" Naples during the continuation of the war . Let us be in with , the period when the Republic , putting a stop to the progress of their victories , consented to grant it peace . From that period ( October , 1795 ) by what inexplicable conduct has that perfidious Court been distinguished ? When the French Government
shewed itself resolute to overthrow that impious Government which caused our warriors to be assassinated , the Court of Naples , whose agents , it is obvious , were not strangers to these crimes , after having in vain attempted to aggrandize themselves with the ruins of that Rome which they feigned to respect , opposed all the resistance in their power to prevent the establishment of a republic on that soil which was become the conquered land of liberty ; this Court increased her armaments , and marched towards the frontiers troops
prepared to enter the Roman territory . All these extraordinary preparations she justified on futile pretences . She received the discontented at Rome with open arms , fomented the troubles which she had excited there ; furnished the rebels with provisions and an asylum , and never ceased to assume towards this new Republic the most threatening attitude . Whilst she dared not openl y declare war against France , she sought to destroy in Italy all the free states which were under her protection . The French Government might without
doubt have in dieted signal vengeance for this public protection which was granted to the frequent insurrections formed at Rome against the French army , as well as for the increased number of spies with which our agent at Naples was surrounded . But far from g iving way to this just sentiment , the Directory did not think proper to oppose the taking possession of the Duch y oi Benevento . They even offered their mediation to deliver the King of Naples from the feudal pretensions which Rome had on his estates . But this
was not all . They sent to Naples a n ^ w Ambassador , furnished with the most amicable and conciliatory powers ! At the moment in which the army commanded by Buonaparte sailed , the Executive Directory were anxious to satisfy the King of Naples as to the object of this expedition . In short , tfiey addressed to him repeated protestasions of their unalterable desire to maintain tranquillity in Italy ; adding , it is true , a no less energetic wish , that the Roman Republicwhich had been placed by the current of events under the
, special protection of the French Republic , might be able to consolidate its political existence . But neither friendly intercourse nor the voice of reason , nor the necessity of peace could inspire these sentiments in the breast of that Court . , Every pretence was made use of to justify her complaints , her threats , a 'id at length her numerous infractions of treaty . The French Republic rer
plied to the manifesto of Malta by the conquest ot that island ; at that moment the Court of Naples , with the most ridiculous hauteur , dared to revive its pretensions on a country which it had neither governed by its laws , ° r b y its arms ; and the French Government did not disdain to reply at length to this nonsensical pretension , as if it could have been supported by the least "pnearance of reason . From the moment of signing of peace , all the aits , as well public as priv Me , of this Court , have been distinguished for perfidy and hatred towards 'i'" French . The treaty . was signed , and the- Court delayed . to publish it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar12100
belied them to the Republic by ties of gratitude as well as of interest . But its blindness prevented it from laying aside its hostile prejudices . It gave , vay without reserve to all the hopes to which the idea of the destruction of the Republic gave rise , while We alone were capable of defending them ; and it took advantage of peace only for the purpose of carrying on secret hostility ; -while we > on oilr part , were the most rig id observers of the treatyt This contrast will be made to appear from incontestible facts .
It would be needless here to recall to the recollection-of our readers the odious and revolting conduct which distinguished the Cabinet of" Naples during the continuation of the war . Let us be in with , the period when the Republic , putting a stop to the progress of their victories , consented to grant it peace . From that period ( October , 1795 ) by what inexplicable conduct has that perfidious Court been distinguished ? When the French Government
shewed itself resolute to overthrow that impious Government which caused our warriors to be assassinated , the Court of Naples , whose agents , it is obvious , were not strangers to these crimes , after having in vain attempted to aggrandize themselves with the ruins of that Rome which they feigned to respect , opposed all the resistance in their power to prevent the establishment of a republic on that soil which was become the conquered land of liberty ; this Court increased her armaments , and marched towards the frontiers troops
prepared to enter the Roman territory . All these extraordinary preparations she justified on futile pretences . She received the discontented at Rome with open arms , fomented the troubles which she had excited there ; furnished the rebels with provisions and an asylum , and never ceased to assume towards this new Republic the most threatening attitude . Whilst she dared not openl y declare war against France , she sought to destroy in Italy all the free states which were under her protection . The French Government might without
doubt have in dieted signal vengeance for this public protection which was granted to the frequent insurrections formed at Rome against the French army , as well as for the increased number of spies with which our agent at Naples was surrounded . But far from g iving way to this just sentiment , the Directory did not think proper to oppose the taking possession of the Duch y oi Benevento . They even offered their mediation to deliver the King of Naples from the feudal pretensions which Rome had on his estates . But this
was not all . They sent to Naples a n ^ w Ambassador , furnished with the most amicable and conciliatory powers ! At the moment in which the army commanded by Buonaparte sailed , the Executive Directory were anxious to satisfy the King of Naples as to the object of this expedition . In short , tfiey addressed to him repeated protestasions of their unalterable desire to maintain tranquillity in Italy ; adding , it is true , a no less energetic wish , that the Roman Republicwhich had been placed by the current of events under the
, special protection of the French Republic , might be able to consolidate its political existence . But neither friendly intercourse nor the voice of reason , nor the necessity of peace could inspire these sentiments in the breast of that Court . , Every pretence was made use of to justify her complaints , her threats , a 'id at length her numerous infractions of treaty . The French Republic rer
plied to the manifesto of Malta by the conquest ot that island ; at that moment the Court of Naples , with the most ridiculous hauteur , dared to revive its pretensions on a country which it had neither governed by its laws , ° r b y its arms ; and the French Government did not disdain to reply at length to this nonsensical pretension , as if it could have been supported by the least "pnearance of reason . From the moment of signing of peace , all the aits , as well public as priv Me , of this Court , have been distinguished for perfidy and hatred towards 'i'" French . The treaty . was signed , and the- Court delayed . to publish it