No very material fact lias been added to our Italian budget since tbe date of our last paper. But the seed which had been sown previously has been growing since with remarkable rapidity. Affairs in Naples are galloping onward to a crisis. The Commander de Martino having returned from his
mission to Paris, and still finding the King obstinate, appears to have abandoned all hope of forming a ministry. Next came a communication from Paris, upon which the Council met to deliberate. The nature of the communication may be inferred from the result. The Council agreed that a new Ministry was indispensable, that a constitution was necessary, that the national flag should be adopted, a full and free amnesty granted, and an alliance entered into with Piedment. While these proposals were taking shape in the Council, the King was getting ill; and by the time they were completed, his Majesty was very ill indeed. At first he hesitated, if he did not actually refuse, to accede to them; but at last he consented. A proclamation of the reforms was immediately issued; the Commander Spinelli undertook the formation of a new Ministry, which was completed on the 28th June; the tricolor was hoisted; and in the evening Naples was illuminated. In any other place these deeds of repentance, and submission to the popular will, would in all probability have been generously received; but in Naples they were at once regarded as a new phase of the old treachery and hypocrisy. Who could trust a Bourbon ? Nobody. Who in Italy would take the word of a Bourbon ? Nobody. Nothing but the extirpation of the dynasty by the roots could, or, indeed, ought to, satisfy the people. Naples, accordingly, instead of being rejoiced at the auspicious change, broke out into greater discontent than ever. The hour of deliverance seemed to be at hand, and the Neapolitans were determined to take advantage of it. Appeals to the patriotism of the country were circulated in the newspapers; and the streets exhibited evidences of unusual agitation, In the midst of this doubtful state of things, the reactionary party, maddened by the approaching advent of Liberal institutions, fell upon the French ambassador, who advised the adoption of reforms, and very nearly succeeded in assassinating him. The tumults rose to so alarming a height that Naples was at last declared in a state of siege. A change, however, has since set in. The troops, after committing the most wanton excesses, were compelled to swear to the new constitution, and were subsequently sent out of Naples The state of siege was raised, and something like tranquillity restored. In the meanwhile all eyes were turned towards Sicily, where skirmishes have taken place between the vanguard of the patriot army and the Neapolitan troops in the neighbourhood of Messina; no movement of importance, however, being effected on either side. Garibaldi is preparing either for the consolidation of the position he has gained, or for a further extension of the sphere of operations. He has purchased several vessels of war built in England, and is daily receiving fresh accessions of men, stores, steamers, and gunboats. lie is evidently getting up a flotilla, either to defend the coast of Sicily, or to drop upon the coast of Calabria. It is stated that the King of Sardinia has sent him an autograph letter, requesting that he will not attempt a descent upon the mainland ; but we learn by the same post, that Garibaldi has already embarked, but whether for Naples or Messina nobody knows, probably, but himself. Another report is that the King of Naples is about to evacuate Sicily, and to concentrate his strength on his own territory; and we hear, also, that should Garibaldi attempt Naples the King of Sardinia is ready to abandon the more moderate counsels of Cavour, and support his victorious general.
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Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 October 1860, Page 3
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643Untitled Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 October 1860, Page 3
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