History of the pontificate and captivity of Pius the Sixth, together with a glance at the Catholic Church

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We have related, without interruption, all the contentions and strifes of Joseph II. with the Holy Father, and we have passed over in silence many difficulties that the Sovereign Pontiff experienced at the same time.

Four German Prelates formed themselves into a league, to oblige the Pope to make impossible concessions. The establishment of peace would have been a matter of much difficulty, but for the troubles of Brabant, the death of Joseph, and above all, the French Eevolution, that frustrated the designs of the coalition. This coalition was known under the name of the League of Ems.

Matters were carried much farther in Tuscany. The Grand Duke Leopold, brother of the Emperor, was the unceasing cause of trouble and uneasiness to the Sovereign Pontiff. Like his brother, he was seconded in his projects by a perfidious counsellor, who united audacity to cunning. Ricci, Bishop of Pistoia, was the most active instrument in the extinguishment of Catholicity in this region.

Leopold addressed to the Bishops of his kingdom a long memorial on the reforms to be made. To give greater authority to these innovations, and at the solicitation of Ricci, Leopold called a synod at Pistoia. Ricci presided. Leopold, encouraged by the success Sf this his first measure, called together all the bishops from Tuscany to Florence. His calculations were false : far from finding supporters in the majority of the bishops, he found them firm adherents of the Holy See, and enemies of schism and discord.

Leopold, irritated by their noble conduct, dissolved the Synod, showing to the prelates assembled his discontent by passing manj enoomiums on Eicci. Matters were pushed to the extreme, and would have caused the most disastrous consequences, but for the death of Joseph IL, which called Leopold to the Imperial throne.

It was then seen that this prince had acted at the instigation of another. No longer swayed by his brother, he appeared a changed person. Eicci, who was detested in Tuscany, lost his influence, resigned, and took flight. The proposed reforms were abandoned.

Leopold announced this to the Pope in a very affecting letter. Pius VL, who during the lifetime of Joseph II., had generously labored for the pacification of Belgium, seconded the new Emperor in suppressing the difficuL ties that devastated these Catholic provinces.

Attacks so numerous and multiplied had not disconcerted the Holy Father. Vicar of Jesus Christ, he possessed a mild firmness, and an inextinguishable confidence in Him who had professed himself as the shepherd of his flock. As a sovereign, notwithstanding his embarrassments, he had accomplished all that was possible for the glory and happiness of his states. He caused the execution of magnificent works of art, and enriched the Museum to a considerable extent. But that which ought to perpetuate particularly the memory of this Pontiff, was his enterprise in the draining of the Pontine Marshes, and the difficulty with which he caused the execution of the Appian Way, which rendered twelve thousand acres of land fit for cultivation.

His greatest solicitude was for the poor, always endeavoring to render their position less painful. He applied himself principally to the preservation of morals, and the education of children. He opened asylums for the benefit of poor girls, and called to Eome the brothers of the Christian schools, to confide scholars to their care.

The moment had arrived when France, a

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prey for several years to the influence of a false philosophy, presented to the v^orld a sad example of the violent excesses that can be produced by human passions. The year 1789 was heralded by the most sorrowful auspices. The efforts to overthrow the throne and destroy the Catholic religion had increased. The attempts to arrest these efforts, badly combined, had given but activity and violence to the attacks. The national assembly soon decreed that the ecclesiastical wealth should be placed at the disposal of the nation ; then the religious orders were suppressed, and monastic vows abolished.

Pius YI. could not see without profound grief these culpable measures, which presaged that still more disastrous. On the 10th July he addressed a brief to Louis XYI., to recall to his recollection the principles of the Church. “We owe, without doubt,” said he, “much to men, but we owe more to God. Take care, dear son in Christ, take care how you allow yourself to believe that a civil and political body has the right to alter the universal disdipline of the Church ; to consider as nothing the decrees of the Holy Fathers and the Councils, and to demolish the constitution of the Church Catholic. You have made great sacrifices for the good of your people ; but should you be forced to renounce the rights of your crown, remember that it is not in your power to abandon those that belong to God and the Church, of which you are the son.” This unfortunate prince, who desired but the happiness and peace of his people, could not resist the thousand suggestions of those around him. He allowed himself to be deluded concerning the nature of the act they demanded of him, and affixed his seal to decrees that he did not approve, and the sanction of which he repented all his life. “I beg God,” said he, in his memorable will, ‘‘to receive my profound repentance, for having placed my name, though against my

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tvill, to those acts contrary to the discipline and belief of the Church Catholic, to which I have always remained sincerely united in heart.’’

Pius YI. assembled the Cardinals, and with their advice, resolved to consult the bishops of France as to the best steps to be taken at this difficult crisis. Boisgelin, Archbishop of Aix, published a paper entitled “ Exposi- A tion of the Principles •of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.” One hundred and forty bishops approved this “ Exposition,” in which the true principles of the Church were defended, with a moderation and docility capable of impressing the most wicked ; but the plan of destruction was only stayed. The men who had sacrilegiously attacked the Catholic religion in France, wished nothing but the servitude of the Church and the destruction of its edifices.

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In the first month of the year 1791, the Holy Father addressed two briefs, the one to ^ the bishops, the other to the clergy and faithful of France. In the latter he spoke eulogistically of the “ Exposition of Principles,’^ and deplored the defection of the four bishops who had allowed themselves to be seduced. These briefs served as a guide to the faithful Catholics, but they could not arrest the projects of the innovators, and who soon commenced to strengthen their new church by blood and massacres.

The national assembly followed up its work. Avignon and the Venetian principality were invaded, and reunited to France. The recriminations of the Holy Father were vain, and the Holy See saw itself despoiled under false pretexts, without the means of obtaining just reparation, A great crime was soon committed, that caused all civilized nations to tremble. Louis XVI., whose only thought was for the happiness of his people, was conducted to the scaffold, and the head of this good prince fell under the sword of the executioner.

The news of this event plunged Pius VI. into profound grief. In the Consistory which was held shortly after, he pronounced Louis’ eulogy ; he pointed out the iniquity of his condemnation, and the physical and moral tortures that he had endured. “Notwithstanding,” said he, “ that the mildness, and benevolence, and constant desire of Louis to satisfy all are universally known, we cannot pass over in silence his last expressions, disclosing so much piety and virtue. What admirable attachment to the Catholic faith ! what submission to the will of God! and what profound repentance for having signed his name, though contrary to his will, to those acts contrary to the discipline of the Church I 0 1 day of triumph for Louis, to whom Heaven has given patience in these rude trials, and who has found victory in the arms of death ! Yes ; we have the confidence that he has left this perishable crown and these tarnished lilies, only to receive greater glory in heaven.” ‘‘ 0 France !” exclaimed the Sovereign Pontiff; “0 France! that our ancestors have ever called the model of Catholic unity — the constant support of the faith; that hast surpassed all other nations in devotion to the apostolic chair. Ah, how art thou changed 1 What has inspired thee all at once with so much hatred and fury?” ....

Soon the storm, sj;ill increasing, fell on Italy. Savoy and the principality of Nice had been invaded by the French republicans ; and the ecclesiastics that had emigrated to

these countries flocked to the states of the

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Pope. Pius VI. welcomed them hospitably. Moved more than any one else, as Father of the Faithful, by the great misfortune of these generous confessors of the Faith, he proffered his own resources, and by his exhortations excited in their favor the zeal and charity of the Catholics of Europe.

The French Government accused the Holy Pontiff of being a declared enemy to the changes made in the Government ; they reproached him with the death of Bassville, who had perished from a wound received in a riot. This Basville, sent as courier extraordinary by the French Consul to Naples, had excited the discontent of the Eoman people by his menaces, his boastings, his audacious pretensions and insolent conduct.

The pontifical government, informed of this indiscreet conduct, and of the great excitement prevailing among the people, amicably exhorted the fiery republican to abstain from all demonstrations. Instead of acquies-

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cing in this sage advice, he haughtily announced that he should mount the tri-colored cockade and hoist the flag of liberty, on the evening of the 13th of January.

In truth, that day, about the hour of five, was seen near the palace of the French Academy, then situated in the most frequented portion of Rome, the carriage of Bassville and La Flotte, another French officer. These two personages, as well as the coachman and valet, wore the tri-colored cockade, and in the interior of the coach was erected a small republican standard.

The people, feeling themselves insulted, became clamorous, and several stones greeted the republicans. The discharge of firearms from the carriage, without, however, wounding any one, served to exasperate them still more. The republicans in an instant found themselves almost surrounded, and were obliged to take refuge in the house of a French banker, by the name of Lamotte.

The people entered, and Bassville was found armed with a stiletto. He vainly endeavored to defend himself, and soon received a mortal blow.

The pontifical guard promptly took the wounded man under their protection.

Pius VI. had, without doubt, cause for indignation against these disturbers of the public peace of his dominions; but when he saw them in trouble, he thought only of the succor he could extend to them. The Roman government sent to Bassville physicians, sur geons and priests. The unfortunate man, mortally wounded, made his confession, gave evidence of a sincere repentance, and publicly retracted his errors. He died on the evening of the 14th of January. His body was carried to the church of St. Laurence, and the expenses of his funeral were borne by the Holy Father. As to La Flotte, the authorities took measures for his safety, and oy

the evening of the fatal event, he was placed a with his 'v\ife and chrildren, in a place of safety. There they were furnished with money and everything that was necessary. He departed, accompanied by an escort, and arrived safely at the frontier of the ecclesiastical states. The government provided for the security of the French then living in Eome ; and the palace of the French Academy, that the populace wished to destroy, was saved from the incendiary.

The French, under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte, advanced into the heart of the country, and took possession of divers provinces in Italy, rather by force of arms and the valor of the soldiers, than by the propagation of the revolutionary ideas.

The 20th of May, 1796, Bonaparte announced, in a proclamation, that he intended to push his conquests even to Eome, and to awaken the Eoman people, rendered insensible by so many centuries of servitude. The act soon followed the menace, notwithstandiiig the assurances given the Holy Father by the French general. A regiment under command of Augerau, that Bonaparte shortly after joined, penetrated as far as Bologna. There they imprisoned the Cardinal Legate and the pontifical soldiers, and proclaimed the republic.

Rome was without defence against such aggressions. The Holy Father had recourse to negotiations. He addressed himself to the Chevalier Azana, Minister of Spain, who was unable to arrest the torrent, even at the price of great sacrifices. The Pope was to give up Bologna and Ferrara, pay five millions, deliver up his most beautiful pictures and finest statues. Yielding to necessity, he accepted these rigorous conditions, and sent to Paris a plenipotentiary, charged with the execution of the treaty. Notwithstanding the rigor of these measures, the Directory did not wish to confirm the treaty unless the

Pope should retract his briefs against the civil constitution of the clergy.

September 9, Garreau and Salicetti, Commissaries of the Directory, who were in Florence, sent to the Prelate Caleppi the treaty, containing sixty-four articles. They gave him but six days in which to reply, and remarked that the articles must be accepted or refused entire. Such was the haughty tone they assumed toward the Pontift. Article 4 required that the Pope should declare himself deceived, and recall his briefs on the civil constitution of the clergy. Article 16 required that the Inquisition should be abolish ed. Caleppi departed immediately for Rome. The Cardinals were assembled in the Sacred College. Their opinions were unanimous. Caleppi had orders to write, in the Pope^s name, that religion would not permit him to accept the conditions. The position of the Court of Rome was frightful. The French

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army occupied the North of Italy and the States belonging to the Church. Kefusing to comply with the demands of the Directory, the Pope was exposed to still greater misfortunes ; but the Vicar of Jesus Christ believed it unworthy of himself to buy peace by disavowing acts sanctioned by the Church. He passed the remainder of the year in the most precarious situation, and in constant inquietude.

In this state of affairs, an accident decided the crisis. The Cardinal Busca — ^new Secretary of State — wrote to the Nuncio at Vienna, and assured him of the contempt he had for the French, and the expectation that he had, that the Emperor would come to the sucn/ cor of His Holiness.

This letter fell into the hands of Bonaparte and became the signal for war. The 1st of February, 1797, they declared the treaty broken, and the French army marched against the Pope’s dominions. They invaded

[mola, Forti Cereaa, Eomagna, Urbin, and arrived, on the 17th of the month, at Tolentino. The shrine of Loretto was pillaged, half of the Pope^s dominions invaded, and Rome appalled. The Pope was informed that he was no longer secure, and that measures should be taken immediately to secure his safety. Pius YI. assembled the Oardi* nals and declared his determination to remain in Rome if it met with their approbation, but they decided that prudence required that he should retire to Naples. Whilst preparations were being made relative to this matter, a religious, sent by Bonaparte, desired to see the Pope. He said that the general and chief of the army had commissioned him to come to Rome and say to His Holiness,, that it was unnecessary for him to leave his city “ You can say to Pius YI.,” added he, “that Bonaparte is not an Attila, and that when he becomes one, he must remember

that he is a successor of Leo.”

Some time previous, Bonaparte had written : “ Whatever may happen, I beg you, Monsigneur Cardinal, to assure His Holiness that he can remain in Rome without uneasiness.” The Pope hoped that his title as Premier of Religion would be a protection for himself and states.

He promised, also, the inhabitants of Rome that they should find a friend in the army; and above all I will see, said he, that there is no change in the religion of your fathers. Such were the promises of Napoleon.

The Holy Father found himself surrounded by so great a number of embarrassments of all kinds, that he judged it better to send plenipotentiaries to make the best arrangements possible.

These plenipotentiaries, four in number, proceeded to Tolentino and awaited the arrival of the General. They were bearers of a letter couched in these terms:

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“Desiring to terminate amicably the difficulties between myself and the French government, and to see our territory evacuated by the troops under your command, we have sent, and deputed as our plenipotentiaries, two ecclesiastics, the Cardinal Mattel, who is well known to you, and the Prelate Caleppi, with two of the laity, the Duke of Braschi, onr nephew, and the Marquis Oamillo Massing We have given them full power to discuss, regulate and prescribe the conditions, which we hope will be in conformity with justice and reason. We engage to approve and ratify these conditions, so that in future they may be inviolable. Determined by the sentiments of friendship that you have manifested for our person, we abstain from taking other measures, to give you a proof of our great confidence. In conclusion, we assure you of our esteem, and present you with our apostolic benediction.’^

Bonaparte, on his arrival at Tolentino, broke out in invectives against the Church of Rome. Afterwards he seemed appeased, and consented to terminate the war by a treaty, which he rendered as onerous as possible to the Holy Father. The contribution levied on His Holiness was increased to thirtv millions ; the sum of three thousand francs was exacted for the family of Bassville ; then eight hundred battle-horses ready equipped, and eight hundred draught-horses. The Pope was then obliged to diminish his militia and to give liberty to all state prisoners ; and, in fine, he was to consent that a portien of his territory should be occupied by French troops.

After the signing of this treaty, Napoleon wrote the following letter to Pius VI. :

*‘I ought, said he, “to thank your Holiness for the trouble you have taken in writing me. The treaty between the French Eepublic and your Holiness has been signed. I congratulate myself on having contributed to this peace. All Europe is acquainted with the peaceful disposition and conciliatory virtues of your Holiness. The republic will, I J hope, be a true friend of Kome. I send my aide-de-carnp and brigade chief to express to your Majesty the perfect esteem and veneration that I entertain for your person, and beg you to believe that I shall give proof of it on every occasion.”

The Holy Father hastened to satisfy the

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demands of the French agent. He sent the treasures of gold and silver that remained in the apostolic palaces, and many ornaments, rich and precious, that belonged to himself, or that were found in the Papal chapel. All religious communities were ordered to add to the treasure, by bringing all the gold and silver ornaments that they possessed. The Cardinals, the Eoman princes, all the nobility and the citizens, obeyed with docility the orders of their sovereign. One month after the signing of the treaty, ten ingots of gold and silver coin were sent to the French Commissary. Soon after, a large quantity of pearls, diamonds and all kinds of precious stones were delivered, the use of which was interdicted in the pontifical states. Five hundred rare manuscripts were sent from the Vatican, New vexations were added to the already long list of grievances. The French Commissaries, who were avaricious and unjust, valued the treasures at a very reduced price.

The Holy Father had nothing to expect from any other power. The sovereigns of Naples and Spain thought onh^ of their own preservation ; their government had long since been directed by ambitious ministers that were hostile to religion. Spain, by some inexplicable conduct, had become allied to the French Eepublic, and had as Premier Godoi, known as “ Prince of Peace,” a man bold, cunning, without manners and without faith. The Pope found himself without any means of defence. His paternal heart was sorely afflicted at the desolate state of the Catholics in France ; deprived of their priests, their altars and their services, and the still greater misfortune of seeing this beloved kingdom, so long faithful and orthodox, plunged in schism and heresy.

Notwithstanding the excessive rigor of the treaty of Tolentino, much anxiety was manifested at Rome at the delay of the Directory in ratifying it ; and these fears were not without grounds. The French government had for its end the complete ruin and annihilation of the pontifical government, both spiritual and temporal. Two months after the signing of the treaty, Bonaparte announced his intention of forming in Italy a republic, ‘‘ that,” said he, “ constantly increasing, should destroy the power of the Pope.” The 27th of / May, 1797, he wrote to the Directory : Ancona, which is in our possession, each day becomes more formidable. We shall defend this city until news from Eome places it still more at our disposal.”

The abode of the French in Ancona was only temporary, but they acted as masters of the soil. In the month of June they caused a revolt among the inhabitants. The rebels, protected by the French commander, expelled the Pontifical authorities. They planted the standard of liberty and established a military government, in the name of France. The statues of the Popes were destroyed; those / of Pius YI., particularly, were treated with the greatest disrespect, though he had loaded Ancona with so many benefits.

Eome was threatened with the same excesses.

The malefactors and rebels set at liberty by the treaty of Tolentino, proud of the protection of France, labored assiduously to foment new troubles. They held nocturnal assemblies, knowing that they could do so with impunity ; they carried their audacity so far as to fire on the pontifical troops sent to maintain good order.

Matters were carried to such an extent, that the French agent, Cacault, to whom the Pope had recourse, came to his assistance, and the rebels were arrested.

At last Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, arrived in the character of Ambassador, bringing with him, at the same time, the ratification of the treaty of Tolentino. He manifested much respect for His Holiness and the Cardinals ; but this respect was of short duration. He connected himself with dissolute young men, and was soon surrounded by the friends of anarchy and disorder.

An Austrian general having been recalled to Eome, to take command of the pontifical militia, Joseph made the fact known to Napoleon. “ If,” replied Napoleon, “ General Provera does not leave Eome in twenty-four hours, I shall be obliged to go there myself. If the republic showed itself generous at Tolentino, it will be so no longer when hostilities shall commence.”

Beset by so many difficulties, the health of the pious monarch gave way. He fell dangerously sick, and his life was in danger. Napoleon, informed of the state of things by his brother, wrote on the 27th of September; “Should the Pope die, use every possible means to prevent the election of another, and to excite a revolution in Eome.”

God, who spared this venerable Pontiff for

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greater trials, restored his health, so that Joseph could follow only the last injunction. He required that the disturbers of the public peace, who had been imprisoned with the approbation of the French agent, should be set at liberty. Their audacity was then without bounds. They sported publicly the tri-color ed cockade, and were emboldened by the arrival of Duphot, who expected to be united to a sister of Bonaparte:

On the arrival of this general, money, promises, menaces and seductions were employed to gain partisans for the republic. The feast of ^Christmas was chosen for the accomplishment of the conspiracy.

The Pope, informed of the plot, took the wisest means to repress or prevent the disorders. Knowing that these troubles were excited by the French and their friends, the Cardinal Secretary, to prevent unjust accusation, called on the French Ambassador and exposed to him the situation of things. The

Ambassador declared himself a stranger to the plot, and added that none connected with himself should, with his knowledge take part in the proceedings ; and that it was right and just that the Pope should maintain public tranquility, even by force of arms.

The Cardinal, reassured by these words, redoubled his vigilance, and used every meas- ,ure in his power to avert the project of the conspirators. Events soon proved what an unworthy part the French Ambassador had played. Skirmishing had already commenced ; the pontifical troops had been fired on, and at the same time, a band of young Frenchmen came to aid the Ambassador, and were joined by a number of conspirators from the palace of the Ambassador himself. An harangue was commenced in favor of the revolution that they meditated ; they villifled the Holy Father and his government, and invited their auditors to shake off the yoke of sacerdotal tyranny.

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Joseph Bonaparte appeared to encourage the seditions by his appearance on the balcony, General Duphot put himself at the head of a company marching towards the Tiber. The air resounded with the cries of Liberty and Equality !

The inoffensive inhabitants, who had as* sembled from curiosity, seeing this turn of affairs, dispersed; and Joseph, perceiving that the Romans did not second his projects, descended into the street to entreat his future brother-in-law to desist from his enterprise. Duphot paid no attention to these observations, but marched on, armed with sword and pistol; the Ambassador remained with the conspirators.

Duphot approached the Porta Septima, which was guarded by a small number of soldiers, commanded by Marinelli, a firm and resolute man. On seeing them advance, Marinelli ordered the rebels to disperse. The conspirators did but quicken their steps. Duphot brandished his sabre and continued his march. “ Halt, and lower your arms !” cried the commander, for the third time. Seeing the conspirators advancing, in the hopes of surrounding his little band, he ordered them to fire.

Duphot, at the head of his band, received a wound that resulted in instant death. His adherents, struck with terror, fled to the paL ace of the Ambassador. Joseph, finding himself surrounded by the conspirators, endeavored to escape, but the entrance to his palace was so obstructed that he could not enter; he reached in haste a neighboring street, and at last gained access to his palace.

Joseph, on entering his palace, discharged his indignation against the republicans, and forced them to seek an asylum elsewhere. Frightened by the danger through which he had passed, and the non-success of the enterprise, and moved by the grief of his sister at

the loss of Duphot, he addressed a note to 8 the Cardinal Secretary^ eagerly soliciting a passport, authorising him to depart immediately for Paris.

This event caused the Cardinal much uneasiness. He foresaw the conclusions that the enemies of the Holy See would draw from the death of the General, and that they would avenge themselves on the Pope on occount of the catastrophe, that the Pope had not the power to prevent. The Cardinal, in great trepidation, wrote two notes to Joseph Bonaparte, by which he sought to mollify him, but which served rather to compromise the pontifical government.

The plan of Bonaparte was arrested: he was ashamed of the part that he had played, and knew that to abide in Kome was no longer possible. He departed suddenly with his family, and presented himself before the Directory to give an account of his acts, and of all that he had witnessed, and to disparag \ as much as possible, the government of the Holy Pontiff.

His Holiness had not entirely recovered his health when these sad events took place. He foresaw that the death of General Duphot would bring fresh misfortunes on the Church and himself. He blamed severely the condescendence of his minister, in his last relations with the ambassador, who had prescribed the wisest measures to render the French who were in Rome secure, and to guarantee the palace of the ambassador from the attacks of an outraged and insulted people.

One can easily imagine the critical situation in which the Holy Father found himself. The Directory commenced by arresting the Marquis Massini, the Pope’s minister at Paris. His papers were minutely examined, and though they contained nothing that could compromise him, he was kept for a long time a close prisoner. They decreed, then, in the name of tne republic, that vengeance should fall ori the Court of Eome.

On the 29th of January General Berthier advanced, at the head of an army, towards Eome, and published at Ancona the following proclamation: — ‘‘The Government of Eome is guilty of the basest of all crimes — it has been the cause of the massacre of our companion in glory, the brave Duphot. It has forgotten the respect due the ambassador of the French. March, brave soldiers, and think only of avenging this horrible outrage, and of punishing the Eoman Government and its vile assassins. The Eoman people are innocent: they will find in the army protection and friendship. The French government wishes, and we honor the command, that their persons, property, services and temples be respected. Pillage will be severely planished. Yes, valiant brothers in arms, we will be true to ourselves.”