He 'did not come to Italy to dispossess the sovereigns,' as he had previously observed, but to give the power of election to the people.

Before we left Rome this spring he had said to the French ambassador, 'If the Tuscans like to recall their Grand Duke, _qu'est-ce que cela me fait_ ?' He simply said the same at Villafranca.
Count de Reiset was sent to Florence, Modena, and Parma, to '_constater_,' not to '_impose_,' and the whole policy of Napoleon has been to draw out a calm and full expression of the popular mind.

Nobly have the people of Italy responded.

Surely there is not in history a grander attitude than this assumed by a nation half born, half constituted, scarcely named yet, but already capable of self-restraint and dignity, and magnanimous faith.

We are full of hope, and should be radiant with joy, except for Venetia.
Dearest friend, the war did more than 'give a province to Piedmont.' The first French charge _freed Italy potentially_ from north to south.