THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT.

117

The war in upper Italy had taken a turn for a time, un-favourable to the French . General Macdonald, command-ing the small French army at Naples , was not in a conditionto take the offensive against the Bourbon advancing forces,and in this state of affairs, a strong corps composed ofEnglish, Russians , Turks, and Sicilians, w 7 ho had justeffected the capture of Corfu , and the Ionian islands, landedin the vicinity of Naples . Great bravery and heroism wasdisplayed by the constitutional party in their defence, whichwas most obstinate and bloody. But numbers and treacheryprevailed. The republic was overthrown, and the mostcruel, monkish, ignorant, despotism re-established.

Time presses, and I must at once leap to the celebratedcapitulation, which, like that of Paris in after days, addsanother index to the historical axiom that no good faith canever be expected towards those who succumb to successfuldespotism.

The plenipotentiaries met in the house occupied by Cardi-nal Ruffo, when the following conditions were agreed andsolemnly sworn to :—

1st. The castles Nuovo and Ovo, with all their arras and ammunition,shall be consigned to the commissaries of his Majesty, the king ofthe Two Sicilies, and of his allies, England, Russia , and theOttoman Porte .

2nd. The republican garrisons of these castles shall evacuate them withthe honours of war. They shall be respected and guaranteed in theirpersonal safety, and in their property both moveable and immoveable.

3rd. They may choose either to embark on board of ships bearing flagsof truce for Toulon , or they may remain in the kingdom, in perfectsecurity as to themselves and their families. The ministers of theking will furnish the ships.

4th. The above, and the same conditions, shall be common to personsof both sexes, who may be existing in the other forts of the kingdom ;to all republican prisoners that have been captured during the war,