[808] The cardinal legate invested Baldwin with the purple with his own hands, and Innocent confirmed, in all points but those of ecclesiastical government, the treaty by which the Venetians and the Franks had bound themselves. He also took the greatest interest in the new state, and wrote to all the prelates of France and Germany to support it by their preaching and influence. This may be added to other proofs, that Innocent never seriously opposed the expedition against the schismatic empire of the Greeks. The truth in all probability is, that he made a show of turning the crusaders from their purpose, both to preserve consistency and to afford room for any after-exertion of his authority that he might judge necessary: but that, at the same time, the cardinal legate very well understood that he was to promote the enterprise, and to be slightly blamed for it afterward, in order to screen his superior from the charge of that ambitious craving for which, however, he was notorious. It would be difficult to believe that Innocent, who triumphed over Philip Augustus, the greatest monarch of the day, and forced him to abandon his dearest wishes, would confine himself to idle threats, if he entertained any serious disinclination to the attack of Constantinople.
[809] Reinaud rec. des Hist. Arabes.
[810] Vertot.
[811] Ducange.
[812] Alberic. Mon. Trium Fontium.
[813] Jacob. de Voragine; Albert Stadensis.
[814] Albericus.
[815] Jacob. de Voragine; Albert. Stadensis.
[816] Gest. Innocent III: Labbe concil. Matthew Paris, A. D. 1213.
[817] Chron. Godefrid Mon.; Bonfinius.