forces, would be a return to that system of foreign interference which for upwards of forty years has been the misfortune of Italy and the danger of Europe. It may be added, that for the last ten years, the same system has been a cause of weakness and peril to Austria. It has afforded vantage-ground to her enemies, and has alienated her friends. Great Britain would, therefore, feel it to be her duty to protest against a supplement to the Treaty of Villafranca of that nature, if any such were in contemplation. She would equally protest against the practical application of foreign force to carry into effect the vague Article of the Preliminaries of Villafranca. But it may be contended that when this Article was signed, the Emperor of Austria and the Emperor of the French contemplated the return of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and Duke of Modena, with the consent and approbation of the people of Tuscany and Modena. Taken in this sense Her Majesty's Government have no objection to make to the return of the Archdukes. Count Walewski having stated to your Excellency, as reported in your despatch of the 3rd instant, that although the French Government could not admit the doctrine of non-intervention as a general rule of policy, they were prepared to adopt it in the present instance with regard to Italy; Her Majesty's Government derive confidence in maintaining the views expressed in this despatch, in the reflection that they are in accordance with the sentiments. entertained by the Emperor of the French. I request your Excellency to read this despatch to Count Walewski, and give him a copy of it. I am, &c. (Signed) J. Russell. Decree of the Tuscan Government Reestablishing the Electoral Law of 1848 for the Purpose of Holding a General Election of an Assembly of Representatives Competent to Pass a Legitimate Vote as to the Definitive Fate of Tuscany. July 15, 1859 1 IL GOVERNO DELLA TOSCANA Considerando che tra i pareri dati dalla Consulta al Governo avvi pur quello che debbasi attivare la legge eletorale del 3 marzo 1848 procedendo THE GOVERNMENT OF Considering that, amongst the opinions formerly expressed to the Government by the Council, there is one to the effect that the Electoral 1 Le Assemblee, vol. 5, p. 647. Translation from British Parliamentary Papers, Affairs of Italy, 1860, vol. 68 [2609], p. 13. alla formazione immediata delle liste Law of the 9th of May, 1848, ought elettorali; Considerando che tale parere ha per iscopo di provvedere il paese di una Assemblea di rappresentanti, la qualepossa emettere un voto legittimo sulla sorte definitiva della Toscana; Considerando che le dichiarazioni fatte da S. M. l'Imperatore Napoleone III e quelle emesse nel Parlamento inglese dai ministri della Regina, assicurano che si terrà conto dei voti espressi nei modi legittimi dagl'italiani; Considerando che a questo solo provvedimento non si arresta il Governo, il quale ha invitato e invierà rappresentanti alle Corti di Europa per far valere i bisogni e i diritti della Toscana; Considerando che tutto ciò resterebbe inutile se non fosse religiosamente conservato l'ordine pubblico, poichè qualunque siasi perturbamento scemerebbe l'importanza del voto da emettersi, e ci toglierebbe l'assistenza, sia per parte del Re Vittorio Emanuele, il quale non mancherà di fare quanto potrà in favor nostro, sia per parte degli altri potentati che non possono voler disgiungere l'assestamento dell'Italia dalla pace europea; to be recalled into vigour, with a view to the immediate drawing up of the Electoral Lists; Considering that the object with which this opinion has been given is that of providing the country with an Assembly of Representatives which may be competent to pass a legitimate vote as to the definitive fate of Tuscany; Considering that the declarations made by His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon III, as well as those pronounced in the English Parliament by the Ministers of the Queen, give the assurance that due weight will be attached to the desires expressed in a legitimate form by the Italians; Considering that the Government has not confined itself to the measure in question alone, but has sent, or will send, Representatives to the Courts of Europe, in order to set forth the requirements and advocate the rights of Tuscany ; Considering that even these measures would be without effect unless public order were religiously preserved, as any sort of disturbance would detract from the authoritative character of the vote to be pronounced, and would deprive us, on the one hand, of the support afforded to us by King Victor Emanuel, who will not fail to do his utmost to assist us; and, on the other hand, of that of the other potentates, who can not desire to disconnect the settlement of Italy from the question of the peace of Europe; DECRETA: ART. 1. La legge elettorale del 3 maggio 1848 è applicata per la elezione dei rappresentanti della Toscana che devono emettere il voto sopra la sorte futura dello Stato. ART. 2. I prefetti procederanno immediatamente a ordinare ai gonfalonieri di formare senza ritardo le liste elettorali. ART. 3. Un successivo decreto stabilirà tutto ciò che riguarda i termini e le norme per una sollecita formazione delle liste elettorali. ART. 4. Il ministri dell'interno è incaricato della esecuzione del presente decreto. Dato li quindici luglio millottocento-cinquantanove Il commissario straordinario Il ministro dell'interno B. RICASOLI Vo. Per l'apposizione del sigillo: Il ministro di giustizia e grazia (L. S.) E. POGGI DECREES: ARTICLE 1. The Electoral Law of the 3rd of May, 1848, is to be applied to the election of the Representatives who are to pronounce, by a vote, upon the future destiny of Tuscany. ART. 2. The Prefects will at once give orders to the "Gonfalonieri" (Mayors), to draw up the Electoral Lists without delay. ART. 3. A Decree, to be published hereafter, will regulate everything concerning the conditions and bases on which the Electoral Lists are to be immediately drawn up. ART. 4. The Minister of the Interior is charged with the execution of the present Decree. Given this 15th day of July, 1859. Commissioner Extraordinary, C. BON-COMPAGNI. Minister of the Interior, B. RICASOLI. Countersigned and Sealed: Minister of Justice and Grace, Second Decree of the Tuscan Government Fixing Further Details of the Election. July 16, 1859 1 IL GOVERNO DELLA TOS CANA Visto il Decreto del 15 Luglio corrente che ordina l'attivazione delle Legge del 3 Marzo, 1848: 2 THE GOVERNMENT OF In view of the Decree of the 15th of July instant, which orders that the Law of the 3rd of March, 1848, shall be recalled into activity; 1 British Parliamentary Papers, Affairs of Italy [2609], pp. 5 and 33. 2 The electoral law of March 3, 1848, had based the electoral qualifications on property or education. An income of over 300 lira, later cut in half, or status as a professor, magistrate, priest, attorney, notary, doctor, surgeon, military official, wholesale merchant or manufacturer, or public functionary of rank (excepting police officials), was necessary. The deputies were eligible from the same classes. Zobi, Storia Civile della Toscana, vol. 5, p. 752 and note. Cancelleria della Comunità ove ha la sua dimora, entro sei giorni dal dì della pubblicazione del presente Decreto; resta fermo in ogni rimanente il disposto del Articolo 12 del Legge Elettorale. ART. 5. Le Liste appena compilate saranno trasmesse al Prefetto del Compartimento, o al Sotto-Prefetto del rispettivo Circondario, nel termine di due giorni, con le osservazioni dei respettivi Gonfalonieri. ART. 6. Entro quattro giorni i Preffeti e Sotto-Prefetti procederanno alla generale revisione delle Liste a loro trasmesse ai termini del Articolo 21 della detta Legge. ART. 7. I Prefetti e Sotto-Prefetti, compita tale revisione in detto termine, manderanno immediatamente le Liste purificate e corrette ai Gonfalonieri perchè esse siano affisse alia porta degli Uffizi Comunitativi, a norma e per gli effetti voluti dagli Articoli 23 e 24 della Legge Elettorale. ART. 8. Entro tre giorni dall'affissione delle Liste avrà diritto a ricorrere al Consiglio di Prefettura e di Sotto-Prefettura chiunque ne fosse stato escluso indebitamente, o inscritto. inesattamente; e il Consiglio di Prefettura e di Sotto-Prefettura deciderà nel termine di tre giorni dalla presentazione del ricorso. A quest' effetto speciale sarà formato in ogni Circondario di SottoPrefettura un Consiglio composto del which he intends to vote, and a similar declaration to the Chancery of the Commune in which he has his residence. In every other respect, the provisions of Article 12 of the Electoral Law remain unaltered. ART. 5. When the lists are made out, they are to be transmitted within two days to the Prefect of the Department or to the Sub-Prefect of the district, accompanied by the observations of the respective "Gonfalonieri." ART. 6. Within four days the Prefects and Sub-Prefects will make a general revision of the lists which will have been sent to them, in conformity with the provisions of Article 21 of the said Law. ART. 7. This revision being completed within the period fixed, the Prefects and Sub-Prefects will immediately send back the amended and corrected lists to the "Gonfalonieri," in order that they may be posted on the door of the Communal Office, in accordance with and for the objects. intended by Articles 23 and 24 of the Electoral Law. ART. 8. Within three days from the posting up of the lists, any person whose name may have been improperly excluded or inserted incorrectly, shall have the right of appealing to the Council of the Prefecture or SubPrefecture; and the said Council of Prefecture or Sub-Prefecture shall pronounce a decision within three days from the presentation of the appeal. For this special purpose there shall be created in each Sub-Prefect's |