vern the Church and the State, our
paternal solicitude was at once directed to every portion of the Dominion
subjected to our Government, but especially towards the capital, the chief
of all our cities, to which it is consoling for us to devote our watchings
and our labors. What was, above all, important, and what we think will be
a subject of joy to all, is the restoration to this beloved city of its
ancient glory of communal representation, by granting to it a deliberative
council. The study of this project has been particularly pleasing to us,
and we have not allowed ourselves to be discouraged by any difficulty."
This important decree was published on the 2nd day of October, 1847. On
the following day there was a national festival. The people were in
raptures, and loudly demonstrated their gratitude to the Holy Father for
an institution which recalled the glorious associations of ancient Rome,
and restored it to its place and rank among modern cities. The
Cardinal-prince Altieri was named president. He opened the first session
of the municipal council by a speech which was marked by the homage paid
therein to Pius IX. "He considered not," said the orator, "whether the
work be difficult. He sees its utility and hesitates not." The council
almost unanimously elected to the post of Senator (Mayor) Prince Corsini,
who was, at that time, devoted to the policy of the reforming Pontiff.

A measure of more general importance now occupied the attention of the
Sovereign Pontiff and his Ministers. The Council of State (consulta) was
established. It was a deliberative assembly. It was not sovereign, but
possessed the right to advise the Sovereign. There were twenty-four
councillors. The President was a Cardinal Legate. Each councillor was
chosen by the Pope from a list of three candidates presented by each
Province of the Pontifical States. The Council was divided into four
sections, whose office it was to prepare laws relating to the Departments
of Finance, Home Affairs, Public Works and Justice. It was the duty also
of these four Committees to hold a general meeting on certain days, in
order to take counsel together on the draughts of proposed laws which they
had separately prepared. On the 25th November, 1847, the National
Representatives met for the first time. Their place of meeting was the
throne-room of the Quirinal Palace. Cardinal Antonelli was the first
President. The proceedings were commenced, and most appropriately,