[176] Like Pellegrino Rossi, Capo d'Istria suffered a violent death. He was accused by the Greeks of acting merely as the tool of Russia, and of using arbitrary methods to secure governmental power. He was assassinated in 1831 by the brothers George and Constantine Mavromichali, who wished to take vengeance upon him for the unjust imprisonment of their father and brother.
[177] King Charles Albert did not abdicate until after the battle of Novara on March 23, 1849.
[178] About December 15 Prince Windisch-Graetz at the head of the Austrian troops drove the Hungarians out of one position after another, until they retired behind the bastions of Raab, under the command of Georgei. As the great cold prevented their reinforcements from coming up, the Hungarians were obliged to abandon this position, which the Austrians captured without striking a blow, on December 27.
[179] On September 29, 1848, near Veneleze, twelve miles away from Ofen, Jellachich was utterly defeated by General Moga. His army took flight and Jellachich was taken prisoner. He succeeded in escaping, however, and made his way through the forests to Mor, Risber, and at length to Raab.
[180] Prince Louis Bonaparte had been nominated President on November 10, 1848. M. Molé related that on the morning of that day General Changarnier, the commander of the troops who were to take the President to the Elysée, after he had taken the oath, came to M. Molé and asked for directions, and said as he went out, "Well, supposing I take him to the Tuileries instead of to the Elysée!" to which M. Molé replied, "Mind you do nothing of the sort; he will go there soon enough of his own accord.">[
[181] The greatest confusion prevailed in Frankfort as soon as the question arose of providing a definite head to the German Empire, and realising the fine promises of union by means of a practical conclusion. Austria pretended to adopt a waiting attitude which would enable her to stand apart from all details, as though she had no idea of entering into relations with Germany until Germany became a constituted state. Her intention, in short, was to take no steps with reference to her union with Germany until the choice of the head of the empire and of pre-eminence was decided in her favour or against her.
[182] This war, which began upon the accession of Francis Joseph to the Austrian throne, lasted for three years. Hungary eventually yielded before the overwhelming force of Austria in alliance with Russia.
[183] As France and England had offered to intervene between Austria and Sardinia, the armistice between these two powers, which was signed on August 9, 1848, was tacitly prolonged to the end of the negotiations. As the negotiations came to nothing, Sardinia at length denounced the armistice on March 12, 1849, and hostilities began again upon the 20th of the month. On March 23 the Sardinian army performed prodigies of valour in the decisive battle of Novara, but the commanding officer, the Polish General, Chrzanowski, made deplorable mistakes and Austria was once again successful. King Charles Albert asked Marshal Radetzky for a further armistice, but the conditions offered were so harsh that the King refused to accept them, abdicated in favour of Victor Emmanuel, and went into exile. On the 27th the new King went to Marshal Radetzky's headquarters, and after a long conversation, signed an armistice which lasted until the eventual conclusion of peace.
[184] The Electoral Union or the famous committee of the Rue de Poitiers, was formed at the beginning of 1849 by the conservative right to guide the elections and to oppose the democratic socialistic committee.
[185] The King of Prussia had been elected on March 28 as Emperor of the Germans at the Frankfort Assembly, and a deputation immediately started to offer him this title. The deputation was received by Frederick William IV. on April 3, who replied that he would only accept the position when the kings, the princes, and the free towns of Germany had given their voluntary assent. After long negotiations the mission of the Frankfort deputies proved a failure.