Rassegna storica del Risorgimento

Garibaldi''s daini to American citizenship, eie. 75
should G. himself come io my private nparimcnt 1 could not refuse him hospìla -lity. This extremity, however, was avoided by Rattazsi's downfall, and G.left by special train for Turin...
Green Clay.
From Turin Garibaldi went to the Papal States and took command of volunteer forces there. His attack on Rome ended in disaster at the battle of Mentana, and he xetreated to Italian territory, where on November 4 he was agaia arrested by the Italian government and confmed in the fortress at Varignano. He protested that he was a citizen of the TJnited States, and Clay, acting on instructions from Marsh, visited him on November 6. The two men spent tliree hours together discussing Italian politics, the United States, and Garibaldi's claim to American citizenship. The general presented Clay with a small photograph of himself, which is included with Clay*s letters. It is inscribed, Fortresse de Varignano, avec gratàtnde, 6 Nov*" 1867, G. Garibaldi . Clay xeported to Marsh on the visit:
(Confidenti al)
Florence, November, 7, 1867. Hon. George P. Marsh eie. etc.
Sir:
My wish to visit General Garibaldi having been approved by you, I obtained from the Minister of the Interior the necessary permìssion and proceeded yester-day morning to the Fortress of Varignano in the Gulf of Spezia. Lt. Col. Co­nvissi in whose custody the General was, informed me that any interview must take place in the presence of an ojficer. On my protesting against this, he desired me to give my word of honor that V would not deliver to or receive front the Ge­neral any writien matter, and would not speak of Italian politicai affairs. This I likewise declined to accede to, reminding him that my officiai character ought to be saffici ent guarantee that I would not moke improper use of the privi lege accorded to me by the Italian Government. After some hesìtation and begging me noi to mention to the General the propositions he hai mode, he gave the order for me to be conducted lo General Garibaldi's room. On ente-ring, I announced to the General that I had come from Florence to moke him a visit of friendship and sympathy. He received me with the greatest eordiality. I then said you had requested me to ascertain the legai grounds of his claim to American citi­zenship; in repty. he stated that at New York in 1854 he renounced allegiance to the King of Sardinia and took the oath of citizenship in the United States (declora-tion of intenti on to become an American citizen?): he remained in the United States for more ihan ayear, was afterwards in command oftwo American vessels for what lengih of Urne he was unable to state, the papere in evidence of these fuetti beìng at Caprera, But , he continued, I wish to avail myself of my rights of an American citizen only in the last resort. I suppose my imprison-ment here will be of short duralion and that I am prepared to undergo . He