GENERAL CONDITION OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Sardinia.—The gallant little kingdom of Sardinia had rendered important aid in the war, and at its conclusion urged upon the representatives of the great powers assembled in conference in Paris the importance of preventing an outbreak in Italy, by compelling Austria and the other despots of Italy to govern with justice and observe treaties. On March the 27th, 1856, the plenipotentiaries of Sardinia addressed a note verbale to the Earl of Clarendon, her majesty’s foreign minister, urging upon England the consideration of the dangerous state of Italy, and the complications to which it would give rise. Sardinia especially protested against the occupation of the Roman states by foreign troops—those of Austria and France—thus suppressing all free expression of action and opinion by the people of these states.
On April the 16th the plenipotentiaries of the Sardinian king, then resident at Paris, addressed a voluminous memorandum to Lord Clarendon, entering at large into the affairs of Italy, portraying the danger to Sardinia from Austrian aggression, and showing that it was the duty and interest of England to insist upon the termination of the state of things which existed.
On the 26th of May the Earl of Clarendon addressed a despatch to Sir James Hudson, the English minister at the court of Turin. This despatch was brief, and contained nevertheless a very full exposition of the righteous and sympathising policy of England towards the people of Italy. This despatch obtained much significance from the events which followed. Lord Clarendon’s prediction was but too truly verified,—a few years witnessed the complications foretold,—the peace of Europe was disturbed, and the foreign occupation of Italy was at once the cause of the war and the theatre of its devastations.
The brevity of Lord Clarendon’s despatch to Sir James Hudson allows of its insertion:—
“Foreign Office, May 26, 1856.
“Sir,—I herewith inclose the copy of a note which was addressed to me when at Paris by the plenipotentiaries of Sardinia.
“The verbal communications which I frequently had the pleasure of holding with Count Cavour, both before and subsequently to the receipt of this note, can have left no doubt upon the mind of his excellency that her majesty’s government take a deep and sincere interest in the affairs of Italy, and are desirous of doing everything which can properly be done by them with a view to ameliorate the condition of the Italian people.
“No fresh assurances could add weight to those already given to Count Cavour, and I did not, therefore, think it necessary to send an answer in writing to the note of the Sardinian plenipotentiaries; but as it has come to the knowledge of her majesty’s government that it would be agreeable to the Sardinian government to receive one, they cannot hesitate to declare their opinion that the occupation of the Papal territory by foreign troops constitutes an irregular state of things, which disturbs the equilibrium, and may endanger the peace of Europe; and that, by indirectly affording sanction to misgovernment, it promotes discontent and a tendency to revolution among the people.
“Her majesty’s government are aware that as this state of things has now, unfortunately, for some years been established, it may be possible that it could not suddenly be brought to a close without some danger to public order, and the risk of producing events that all would deplore; but her majesty’s government are convinced that the evacuation of the Papal territory may be rendered safe at an early period by a policy of wisdom and justice, and they entertain a hope that the measures agreed upon by the governments of France and Austria will lead to a gradual withdrawal of their respective forces, and to bettering the condition of the subjects of the Pope.
“You will read and give a copy of this despatch to Count Cavour.
“I am, &c.,
“[Signed] Clarendon.”
Naples.—The state of Naples was at this time appalling, the king was the most unruly man in his kingdom. Oppressions the most barbarous were wrought by his sanguinary and faithless hand. The governments of France and England advised, remonstrated, protested in vain. His majesty adopted the principle of doing what he pleased with his own, to the ruin of his kingdom, the sufferings of his people, and the disgrace of his reign. Various English subjects were injured, but no effectual measures were taken by either England or France to put a stop to the insult and defiance they received. Austria professed to offer the Neapolitan monarch advice in the interests of moderation and good government—it was even alleged that Russia did the same; but his majesty was deaf to all counsel, and expressed his determination to rule absolutely, and deal with his people as he pleased, in spite of the threatened interposition of foreign powers.