er of copies of the Allocution, in which these events are related.
This paper, he stated, proved abundantly that the army had won a victory
over the enemies of human society, and that their triumph, consequently,
would awaken sentiments of gratitude in the breasts of all honest men
throughout Europe and the whole civilized world.

(M17) The President of the French Republic, Louis Napoleon, the French
Minister of War and the National Assembly, all joined in congratulating
General Oudinot and his army. Pius IX. had just appointed (31st July) a
commission of three Cardinals for the government of the Roman States, when
General Oudinot arrived at Gaeta, and urged the Pope to return himself to
his capital. Pius IX. had already stated to M. de Corcelles, the
Plenipotentiary of France, his objections to an immediate return. He now
held the same language to General Oudinot. He could not, he said, so far
forget the purely moral nature of his power as to bind himself in a
positive way, when there was nothing settled as to matters of detail, and
especially when he was called upon to speak in presence of a first-class
Power, whose exigencies were no secret. Ought he to condemn himself to
appear to act under the impulsion of force? If he did anything good, was
it not necessary that his acts should be spontaneous, and should also have
the appearance of being so? Were not his inclinations well known? Were
they not calculated to inspire confidence? Nevertheless, it was his
intention to return, in a few days, to his States, and to remain some time
at Castel-Gandolfo, in the midst of the French army. General Oudinot
returned to Rome fully assured of the speedy return of the Holy Father.

(M18) About this time it became manifest that the French Republic desired
to restore the Pope as a mere agent of their newly-instituted government.
The French ministry, of which Odillon Barrot was the head, saw, with
impatience, that Pontifical affairs were not proceeding to such a
conclusion as they wished. Accordingly, General Oudinot was recalled and
replaced by General Rostolan, the next in command. Two days later, a
letter signed "Louis Napoleon," and addressed to Colonel Edgar Ney, who
was also the bearer of it, was despatched to Rome. This letter contained
insulting allusions to the Pontifical government; and its requirements
would have annihilated, in the estimation of Europe, the independence of
the Sovereign Pontiff, whilst personally dishonoring