How Napoleon I Conciliated The Rebels

When, seventy years ago, the Roman people assisted by the French, threw off the yoke of their miserable government and proclaimed the Republic, a great many malcontents, mostly of the aristocratic classes, south refuge in the mountain passes of the Apennines – gathered around them bands of armed outlaws and bandits, and commenced a predatory warfare against the republicans and their French allies. They committed for a long time all kinds of outrages, arson, rapine and murder. The French troops sent against them were waylaid and shot down from behind bushes, or inaccessible mountain gorges; travelers were plundered and murdered, and the whole country devastated. At last the matter was laid before Napoleon, at that time commander-in-chief of the French troops in Italy, and he issued the following orders:

1. All outlaws, couth with arms in hand, assaulting our troops or peaceable citizens, are immediately to be shot, without trial.

2. All dwellings, from which our troops have been fired on, to be burnt down; of the inhabitants, if they cannot prove their innocence beyond a doubt, the males over twenty years of age be sent to the gallows, the females to our hospitals as nurses, washerwomen, etc., the children to the house of refuge.

3. For every civilian murdered, the district in which the crime is committed pays 5,000 francs: for every soldier, double the amount; besides reimbursements for all that is plundered. The money to be taken firstly from the avowed malcontents; if not sufficient, then from the so-called neutrals, and lastly from the loyal citizens, whose cowardice permits such outrages.

One short month after these orders were passed, and about a dozen instances promptly executed, order was restored, and the Roman Republic soon became known as a peaceable – and safe country.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

Additional Foreign News by the Bohemian

The subject of fortification and recent important experiments with 300-pound Armstrong guns, had been further debated in Parliament. The Minister in the House of Lords deprecated hasty action, and argued that experiments showed that they ought not hastily to depart from the system of fortifications supplemented by floating batteries. It was predicted that Armstrong would soon produce 600-pounders to do the same at 2,200 yards which his 300-pounders have done at 200 yards.

The Duke of Somerset admitted that the Admiralty was now prepared to proceed at once with Capt. Coles’ cupola and other plans.

The House of Commons debated Italian affairs. Plamerston believes that sooner or later the unity of Italy will be completed by the possession of Rome.

The difficulties of the Mexican question claim some attention. It was rumored at Paris that Walewski will make a special mission to England on he subject.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 25, 1862, p. 1

Arrival of the Steamer City of New York

NEW YORK, April 22.

The steamer City of New York, with four days later European news, has arrived.

LIVERPOOL, 9th. – Breadstuffs dull but steady.

The Sumter was still at Gibraltar and the Tuscarora at Algiers.

On the 3d the sloop of war Karsage [sic], after a two day’s visit to Gibraltar, left for the west.

In parliament D’Israeli made an attack on Gladstone’s financial policy in the Budget. The latter spoke strongly in defiance. A general debate ensued, in the course of which Bentwick attributed the distress of the country to its incompetent and inhuman policy in refusing to recognize the Confederate States.

The question of shielded ships and floating batteries continues to occupy the attention of the government.

The shipwrights have all been transferred from the wooden to iron vessels in course of construction.

A proposition was before the common council of London to confer the freedom of the city in a gold box to Mr. Peabody, for his [tounificence].

The crops of England and France are reported as most favorable. French manufacturing accounts also show more animation.

Latest rumors assert that Gen. Guion will not be recalled from Rome.

The Paris Bourse was flat 69{90c.

The Italian ministry had ordered an increase in iron-plated ships.

The question of brigandage and the removal of the ex-King of Maples from Rome was debated in the Italian chamber.

Roltazzi said the Italian government persisted in pointing out that the presence of Francis II at Rome is the source of disorders, and he believed Napoleon also shares the conviction and perceives the necessity from providing against its continuance, but difficulties can’t all be vanquished at a single blow.

The Spanish government had again reiterated its firm determination to abstain from any demonstration prejudicial to the independence of Mexico.

The Danish Regziaad voted an extraordinary credit of one million rix dollars for iron-plated vessels.


SANDY HOOK, April 22.

The New iron steamer Oviet, built for war purposes, left Liverpool for Palermo. It is believed she goes to Bermuda for armament, and takes the Atlantic as a southern privateer.

The schooner Sophia ran the Charleston blockade and arrived at Liverpool with 900 bales of cotton.

Politics unimportant.

Manchester market firmer, tending upward. Breadstuffs steady and unchanged. Provisions upward.


QUEENSTOWN, April 10.

Government has contracted for an iron cupola ship under Capt. Coles’ invention, to be ready for sea June 1st, 1863.

Experiments with a gun of large sized showed the best and hitherto considered invulnerable forms of iron sides, were so to speak, almost as easily penetrable by a shot as if targets had been timber.

Sir Wm. Armstrong says that a gun of 12 tons weight fired with a charge of 50 pounds of powder will break through the sides of the Warrior or the strongest ship afloat. A target like the Warrior’s side was shattered into crumbs at a trial. The Times says a weapon of offense or defense it seems none is left us now so effective as large armor clad and very swift rams.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 1