Rassegna storica del Risorgimento

32
Howard R. Man aro
John Y. Mason a Lewis Cass
Lcgation of the United States, Paris, July 9, 1859. No. 403.
Sir: On the evening of Thursday, after the mail of the Legation for the United States via Livcrpool had left Paris, an extra shcet of the Moniteur Uni-versel coni inimica ted to the public the intcresting intelligence that an armistice bad been concludcd between the Emperors of Austria and franco. I send herewith copies of the journal, which contaiu the telegraphic despatch of the Emperor t<the Empress Rcgent, announcing the faci, and the subsequent notification that Marshal Vaillant, on the part of France, and Count Hess, on the part of Austria, had agreed that an armistice shall continue until the 15th of August, and subsequent accounts have confirmed the intelligence that hoBti-lities have actually ceased. Notwithstanding the caution published in the Moniteur, warning the public not to considcr the war cnded, by these measures, an opinion generally prevails that peace will soon follow, and the manifesta-tions of confìdence and of satisfaction with this anticipated rcsult are uni­versa!. The campaign has been brilliant and successful, but the expenditures in blood and treasure, on the part of both Victor and vanquished have been so great that there is no one who seems disinclined to end the sanguinary strife. The Bouree has indie ated a wonderful rise in se curi ti es. It is not yet known what were the circumstances under which the armistice was brought atout.
It is not possible yet to anticipate with confìdence the results which will follow, but the unancial condition of Austria is deplorable. Her certificates of debt have declined fifty percent, and her circulating medium is so unsatisfactory that its currency is wholly ruinous to business. To that power, therefore, the effective prosecution of the war seems scarcely possible; while ali Europe will rejoice in the escape from a general war. In France there was a strong desire to avoid the war, in the beginning. The events of the campaign have satisfìed the national love of glory, and the nation, enthusiastic with the events of the war, will be ready, with Joy, to see peace restored.
The probabilities are that the Emperor will act on a policy disintcrested and magnanimous, and he inay retire from the conflict with prestige wonderfully advanced, and a reputation for wisdom, diplomatic talent and military capacity largely increased. Bcsides this, he has for the present concihated the grateful afiection of the Italiane, who are the neighbors of France, and are entitled to national freedom and independence of their oppressors. Yet it is not sure that peace will follow. If X may express an opinion, I think that there will not be another battle, and that a Gongress of the Great Powers will meet, and a treaty be entered into, which will resto re peace and arrange the geographical and poli­ticai questione involved, with a view to its permanence. Ali must rejoice at such a result.
His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon is eXpccted bere on Tuesday next. It is said that he will not enter publicly into Paris, but go to St. Cloud, and there join the Empress. It is supposed that he reserves the demoustrations of a pub­lic reception for the army, on its return. This is politic, but it looks very Kke peace, as the army cannot return whilc war continucs.