ntiaries to Gaeta, where the Pope desired that the diplomatic
conference should be opened. The Catholic countries had already
anticipated the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff--some by acts, others
by energetic resolutions. On the one hand, General Cavaignac, to whom
France had for the time committed her sword, had concentrated, as early as
the month of September, 1848, a body of troops under the command of
General Molliere, whose duty it should be to hold themselves in readiness
to embark for Italy at the first signal. Spain, on the other hand,
prepared her fleet. The King of the Two Sicilies could scarcely restrain
the ardor of his soldiers. Portugal, even, which had not been mentioned in
the document addressed to the four Catholic Powers, considered it a duty
to cause it to be represented to the government of the Pope through its
ambassador, the Baron de Verda Cruz, that the Portuguese people would be
most happy to take up arms in the interest of the Papal cause. Portugal
was among the first, on occasion of the 16th November, 1848, to offer
hospitality to the Sovereign Pontiff, and to invite him to one of the
finest residences in Christendom, the magnificent palace of Mafra.

(M9) The time of the Holy Father at Gaeta was employed, as it usually is,
in prayer, the giving of audiences and the business of the Church. In one
point, there was an exception to the rules of the Papal Court. The King of
Naples, the Queen and the Princes were admitted every day to the table of
the Pope. King Ferdinand, notwithstanding his friendly relations with Pius
IX., never availed himself of this privilege without a new daily
invitation. In all other respects, likewise, his conduct towards the Holy
Father was all that the most devout Catholic could desire.

(M10) The internal state of the Catholic Powers caused their action to be
delayed. The political troubles of the Austrian Empire obliged the Emperor
Ferdinand to abdicate in favor of his youthful nephew, Francis Joseph.
France was laboring to consolidate her newly-founded Republic. There was
question of electing a president. And if, on the occasion, Prince Louis
Napoleon Bonaparte secured the greatest number of votes, he owed this
success, if not wholly, in great measure, at least, to his repudiation of
the undutiful conduct of his cousin, the Prince of Canino, at Rome, and
his declaration in favor of the temporal sovereignty of the Pope. On the
eve of the election he wrote as follows