llegiance to the Emperor.

"The supreme dominion of the Emperors over Rome was exercised without
contradiction throughout all the dynasty of the Othos and Conrads, and
only became assailed under Frederick I.

"Afterwards, amidst the multitude of Italian republics, the Roman
republic was restored for a time; and, in the 13th century, had for
the head of its government a Matteo of the Orsini family with the
title of Senator, in honour of whose memory a medal was struck.

"For a long period the Kings of Naples, of the Anjou race, were
Senators of Rome.

"Pope Nicholas III. retained the senatorial dignity for himself; and,
by a bull of 1268, forbade the election of any Senator, without the
sanction of the Pope.

"From this date all the Senators of Rome have been nominated by the
Popes, and were never permitted to be foreigners.

"Besides the Senator, there was a council, called the Conservatori.
The members of this council were chosen from amongst the first
families of Rome; proposed by the Senator, and approved by the Pope.

"From time to time the Pontiffs have endeavoured to diminish the
jurisdiction and the prerogatives of the Senators, so that in latter
times their office has been reduced to a mere honorary charge.

"It has appeared to me that the restoration of this form of
government, replacing the Senator in his old authority, would be a
step at once adapted to the circumstances of the present day, and
acceptable to the Roman people.

"To declare Rome a free Imperial city, and to reserve a palace there
for your Majesty and your court, cannot but produce the most
favourable effect on the minds of the Romans.

"In the other dispositions of the proposed statute I have confined
myself to following the precedents adopted by your Majesty on former
occasions, under similar circumstances."

This report was accompanied by the minutes of three decrees. The first
referred to the future government of the Eternal City, and was sketched
out in the following articles:--

"Art. 1. Rome is a free Imperial city.

"Art. 2. The Palace of the Quirinal, with its dependencies, is
declared to be an Imperial Palace.

"Art. 3. The confines between the territory of Rome and the Kingdom
of Italy are to be determined by a line, which, starting from
Arteveri, passes through Baccano, Palestrina, Marino, Albano,
Monter