THE NAPOLEONIC EMPIRE The Napoleonic Empire In Southern Italy and the Rise of the Secret Societies BY R. M. JOHNSTON AUTHOR OF 'THE ROMAN THEOCRACY AND THE REPUBLIC, 1846-1849' ' NAPOLEON : A SHORT BIOGRAPHY ' VOLUME II HottffOtt MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED NEW YORK I THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1904 All rights reserved CONTENTS PART II THE RISE OF THE SECRET SOCIETIES CHAPTER I THE RESTORATION PAGE Bourbon restoration—Austro-Sicilian alliance—Convention of Casa Lanza— Ferdinand's proclamations—He arrives at Naples — Moderate conduct— Ferdinand's marriage—New conditions—Liberalism and Napoleon—Naples and France—Lazzaroni and middle class—Napoleonic system in Naples— Constitutional legislation—Zurlo—Nationalization—Results of French rule —Constitutionalism—The allies—Congress of Vienna—Austro-Neapolitan secret treaty—Holy Alliance—Bourbon accessions—Secret societies . 3 CHAPTER II ORIGIN AND RITES OF THE CARBONARI Secret associations in history—Religious societies—Influence in political move­ ments—Political thought and symbolism—Antiquity of symbolism—Its varying forms—Reproduction worship—Philosophical symbolism—Political symbolism—Soladitates, early Christians, Eleusinian mysteries—Mafia— Vendicosi, Beati Paoli—Templars—Reformation, Albigenses, Cathari, Paulicians, Patarini, Waldenses—Maestri Perfetti—Jacques Bonhomme— Cathari in Naples — Adombrados—Rosicrucians — Alchemysts, Rosen- kreutz, Diirer—Doctrine of political equality—Doctrines of Luther and Rousseau—Trade guilds-—ConciaroJtti, Neapolita\ fraternities, Vehm- gericht—Compagnonage, Chauffeurs, Charbonnerie—Masonic legends— Ancient guilds of Masons—Florentine Lodge of the Trowel—Masonry at V THE NAPOLEONIC EMPIRE Naples — French Masonry — Amis reunis-—Illumines — Charbonnerie— Marquis de Champagne—Philadelphes—Other army associations—Repub­ licanism during the Empire — Lecchi—Societies at Naples—Origin of Carbonari—Lodge at Capua — Murat and the secret societies—Hereditary Prince joins Carbonari—Polypus of societies—Doctrines of Carbonari— Initiation of apprentices—Discourse of orator—St. Theobald—Symbols interpreted — Passwords and signs—Statutes of Repubblica Lucana— Asssassination—Initiation of master—Origin of ceremony—Conclusion— Political cowardice .......... 19 CHAPTER III INTERNAL AFFAIRS Papal action against Carbonari — Zuccari's arrest—Maghella's — Carbonaro intrigue—Increase in membership—Sanfedism—Calderari—Canosa—Arms the Calderari—Policy of Government—Carbonari decorated — Position of Muratists—Bentinck at Naples—French at Naples—Medici—Other Ministers—Finance—Amnesty—Confiscations—Austrian policy—Jablo- nowsky—Nugent and Neapolitan army—Sicilian constitution—Ferdinand I. of Two Sicilies—Marriage of Duchesse de Berri—U.S. claims reparation— Disorders in Puglia—Secret societies—Relations with the Papacy—Con- ' cordat—Factions at Court—The fedeloni—Reconstruction of the San Carlo -—Ferdinand cuts his queue—Death of Charles IV.—State of the kingdom 45 CHAPTER IV THE REVOLUTION OF 1820 Failure of harvests—Taxation—Landed proprietors and Constitutionalism— Army dissatisfaction—Visit of Francis and Metternich—Pepe's plot— Camp of Sessa—Metternich's apprehensions—Congress of Aix—Secret societies—Kotzebue's murder—Russian policy — Spanish revolution— Spain and Naples—Position of the Carbonari—Pepe at Avellino—Pro­ paganda at Salerno—Minichini—Carbonaro numbers—Ferdinand takes oath to Spanish Constitution—Consequent agitation—Plot of De Conciliis— Borbone Cavalleria—Rising at Nola—Insurgents reach Monteforte—News at Naples—Carascosa takes command—His proceedings—De Conciliis takes lead at Avellino — Carascosa negotiates — Nunziante's efforts — Advises Constitution—Desertion—Pepe leaves Naples—Carbonaro deputa­ tion to Ferdinand—Constitution granted—New ministry—Carbonaro pro­ clamation— Demand for Spanish Constitution — Granted—Alarm at Naples—Entry of Carbonari—Pepe sees Ferdinand—Orderly behaviour of Carbonari—Pepe commander-in-chief—His position—Minichini—Real CONTENTS vii causes of revolution—Zurlo and the Ministry—Carbonaro hostility— Great extension of Carbonari—Ferdinand swears constitution—Lazzaroni hold aloof—Ferdinand's policy—Plot against King—Freedom of the Press— Rossetti—Attacks on Zurlo—Troja and the Minerva—Borrelli maintains order—Mutiny of Farnese regiment—Guardia di sicurezza—Elections and their results—Inauguration of Parliament—Constitutional amendment promised ............ 69 CHAPTER V THE FALL OF THE CARBONARI Vendita della Pace—Carbonaro demands—Disorder—Parties in Parliament— Analogy with Convention—Carbonari dominate Assembly—Parliamentary eloquence—Borrelli and Poerio—Legislative trivialities—Ferdinand's alarm —Pepe's position — Carascosa—Plot to take Palace—British assistance— Ships arrive—Campochiaro asks for their withdrawal—Metternich's views —Unrest at Milan—Cariati's mission to Vienna—Czar declares for inter­ vention—Metternich's note to German states—Austrian armaments— Campochiaro demands explanation—Metternich declines to receive Gallo —Ferdinand denounces his compulsion—Congress of Troppau—Alarm of liberals—Russian policy—Intervention and political theories—Ferdinand invited to Laybach—Position of Great Britain—Of France—Her mediation attempted—Laybach proposal before Parliament—Answer—Permission obtained for journey—Ferdinand embarks—Parting letter to Calabria— Resignation of Ministry—Zurlo—New Ministry—Church in Sicily—F. Pepe's expedition—Bad state of army—Pepe and Carascosa—Finances— Feeling at New Year—The Duke of Calabria—Constitution finished— Parliament adjourned—Ferdinand at Laybach—Decisions of Congress— Received at Naples—Communicated to Parliament—Excitement—Assassi­ nation of Giampietro—Rossetti—Reaction—Duke of Calabria's position— Military measures—Guards reviewed—Pepe in the Abruzzi—His forces— Austrian advance—Fight at Rieti—Carascosa's army disbands—Last sittings of Parliament—Capua surrendered—Fate of Silvati and Morelli— Escape of leaders—Revolution in Piedmont—Entry of Austrians into Naples 103 APPENDIX A THE MIRACLE OF SAN GENNARO ...... 14.1 APPENDIX B TABLE OF MEASURES AND MONEYS . 143 viii THE NAPOLEONIC EMPIRE APPENDIX C PAGE I. HOUSE OF BOURBON ; II. HOUSE OF BONAPARTE ; III. THE HAPSBURG, BONAPARTE, BOURBON ALLIANCES . 144. APPENDIX D MARY CAROLINE'S MEMOIRS. .146 APPENDIX E CASTLEREAGH'S FALSIFIED DISPATCHES . .146 APPENDIX F FERDINAND'S PROCLAMATION, 1ST OF MAY 1815 . .150 APPENDIX G TREATY OF THE HOLY ALLIANCE 152 APPENDIX H CARBONARO DISCOURSE . 153 APPENDIX I FERDINAND'S INVITATION TO LAYBACH 155 APPENDIX K BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF NAPLES, 1805-1821 157 INDEX 223 MAP EUROPE AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON . To face page I CENTRAL EUROPE AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON PART II THE RISE OF THE SECRET SOCIETIES VOL. II B CHAPTER I THE RESTORATION Bourbon restoration—Austro-Sicilian alliance—Convention of Casa Lanza—Ferdinand's proclamations—He arrives at Naples— Moderate conduct—Ferdinand's marriage—New conditions— Liberalism and Napoleon—Naples and France—Lazzaroni and middle class — Napoleonic system in Naples—Constitu­ tional legislation—Zurlo—Nationalization—Results of French rule—Constitutionalism—The allies—Congress of Vienna— Austro- Neapolitan secret treaty — Holy Alliance — Bourbon accessions—Secret societies. THE Bourbon restoration of 1815 took place under circumstances very different from that of 1799. The sudden disappearance of Napoleon from the scene dis­ closed two great powers in European politics: public opinion on the one hand ; on the other the settled policy of a school of statesmen whose doctrines were those of benevolent autocracy. It was under the restraining influence of these two forces that Ferdinand returned to Naples. The weightiest external pressure on the Sicilian Court was that of Austria as represented by Prince Metternich. During the sessions of the Congress of Vienna, Ferdinand's agents, Ruffo and Serracapriola, constantly urged his claims on the representatives of 3 THE NAPOLEONIC EMPIRE PART n the Powers. Metternich's influence alone had long prevented their suqcess. But on the rupture of rela­ tions between Austria and Naples, a month before the, battle of Tolentino, the Austrian Minister had com­ pletely changed his attitude and adopted a position that could not but satisfy Ferdinand. The Austrian cam­ paign against Naples was frankly declared to be one of annihilation and annexation, exactly as that of Napoleon had been in 1806. From the day on which diplomatic relations were broken off the kingly title was dropped, and the occupant of the throne of Naples became known to Austrian statesmen as Marshal Murat once more. Metternich at once turned to Ruffo and to Prince Leopold of Sicily, then present in Naples, and offered them a treaty of alliance, which was quickly agreed ; it was signed on the 20th of April. This treaty provided for the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne, and by its terms 30,000 Sicilian troops were to be employed in the enterprise, and all expenses borne by the re-established Government. But what was of even greater interest in this treaty was that it contained stipulations that went beyond the military necessities of the case, and clearly revealed the spirit of the new era just dawning on Europe. The Austrian Government expressly required that on the reinstatement of Ferdinand there should be no political persecution, that all sales of State property made by the late Government should be confirmed, that the obligations of the public debt and all pensions should be met, and that all titles of honour con­