CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

E.R. B. WILLIs

ENDOWMENT FUND

 
y Libra
975.S2B88 1880

“Tiina
Mi
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View or SAN MARINO FROM THE Borco.
THE

REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

TRANSLATED BY

W. W. TUCKER,

PATRICIAN OF THE REPUBLIC.

SECOND EDITION.

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION.

 

CAMBRIDGE:

JPrinted at the Riversive JDress.
1880,
‘ATISVD) AHL GNV ONIUVI NvS

 
DEDICATION.

TOE FIRST HISTORY OF SAN MARINO IN FRENCH
WAS PUBLISHED IN 1827,
AND WAS DEDICATED BY ITS AUTHOR, AUGER ST. HIPPOLYTE,

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE TRANSLATOR HAS THE HONOR TO INSCRIBE
This Volume,
THE FIRST WORK UPON THE SUKJECT PRINTED IN AMERICA,
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

Boston, U. 8. A., January, 1880.
PREFACE.

——

Firteen. centuries of existence have made
San Marino a fruitful subject of historical re-
search. The present volume is a translation,
by permission of the author, of one of its
later histories." The title has been changed,
and the first chapter has been substituted
for the corresponding chapter of the origi-
nal.

This miniature state is situated in that
portion of Italy which was peculiarly ex-
posed to the bloody and desolating wars of
the Middle Ages, and while the peninsula
has been convulsed by political revolutions,
and other states, absorbed by more powerful
neighbors, have now become a part of uni-

1 Saint-Marin: Ses Institutions, Son Histoire. Par le
Comte C. de Bruc, Chargé d’Affaires de la République de
St. Marin & Paris, Grand-Croix de l’Ordre Equestre de
Saint Marin, Officier de 1’Ordre des SS. Maurice et La-
zare, ete. Paris. 1876.
vi PREFACE.

fied Italy, San Marino alone has preserved
its autonomy.

This fact is no doubt largely due to its re-
stricted territory, to its strong natural de-
fences, and to fortunate combinations, but in
no small degree to the loyalty and bravery
of its inhabitants.

Tradition and history have ascribed to the
character of Saint Marinus, the founder of
the republic, a happy union of practical wis-
dom and spiritual devotion. His memory is
a living power among the people. The pru-
dent, industrious, honest, and religious life
and the intense love of liberty of which he
furnished such a marked example still char-
acterize the inhabitants of the republic, and
have secured for them the respéct of other
nations.

Frequent but ineffectual applications have
been made for the right to establish a gam-
bling house within the republic, upon con-
ditions greatly to its pecuniary advantage.
The action of the government in refusing to
PREFACE. , Vil

make the concession has always been cor-
dially sustained by the people, who seem to
be imbued with the sentiments expressed in
a recent letter upon the subject, written by
a distinguished member of the Sovereign
Council: “ The long existence of the repub-
lic is due to its probity and its simplicity,
and we prefer to live poor and respected
rather than rich and dishonored.”

The translator is happy to acknowledge
the courtesies extended to him during a visit
to San Marino last summer by his excellency

“Giuliano Belluzzi, Secretary of State for the
Interior, and by his son.

WwW. W. T.
Boston, U.S. A., July, 1880.
CONTENTS.

 

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

Tue Approach To San Marino. — DESCRIPTION OF

. 1

THE CITY . ‘ :
CHAPTER II.

Tue Origin or San Manino.—Fourra Century .

CHAPTER III.

FROM THE EIGHTH TO THE TWELFTH CENTURY.

Increase of territory. — Independence of the community ac-
knowledged . . .

16

’

CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE THIRTEENTH TO THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

San Marino in the thirteenth century. —It takes part against
Rome. — Alliance with Frederic II. — Papal excommunica-
tion. — Congress of peace. — Perfidy of the Bishop of Mon-
tefeltro. — His death delivers the republic. — Ugolino and
the Guelph party. — End of the strife 7 , : ap 229)
CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

The peace of 1300.— New quarrel and new arbitration. —
Second affirmation of the rights of the republic. — Renewal
of a suit. — The Pope chosen arbiter. — Proclamation of in-
dependence . a . , *

CHAPTER VI.

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

The Congress of San Leo. — Solemn renunciation of Uberto.
— The state in the fourteenth century. — Secret envoys. —

Heroic punishment of crime.— Sentence of banishment. —-

Death of Uberto. — New treaty of peace (1320). — Curious
historical episode. — Annexation of Busignano. —The ex-
iles recover their rights .

CHAPTER VII.

THE FOURTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH CENTURIES.

Resort to arms. — Death of Frederic of Urbino. — Propo-

sitions of peace. — San Marino refuses peace. — Papal.

thunders. — Humiliating propositions. — The Malatestas
make war against the Pope. —John XXII. seeks the alli-
ance of San Marino.— Elevation of Innocent VI. — Tri-
umph of papal cause in Italy.— Proclamation of the inde-
pendence of San Marino. ‘ ss of .

CHAPTER VIII.

THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

Subjection of Italy. — Dawn of the sixteenth century. — First
historic documents. — The doctrine of John Huss penetrates:
Italy. —.A papal bull establishes the independence of San

38

43

51
x CONTENTS.

Marino. — Death of Sigistnond Malatesta. — Peace assured
by the reconciliation of two families. — New territorial ac-
quisitions. — Benefits of peace. — A new code, — Procla-
mation of a republican { government. . 7 7 7

CHAPTER Ix.
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

Prospect of an era of peace. — Elevation of Borgia. — Cardi-
nal Cesar Borgia, released from his vows, is created Duke
of Valentinois.— The policy of Louis XII.— His rights
upon Milan ‘and the two Sicilies. — Alliance with the Bor-
gias. —Invasion of the Romagna.— Heroic Defence of
Catherine Sforza. — Pacific protestations. — Invasion of the
duchy by treason. — Diplomacy of the republic. — Presents
to the Pope and an embassy to Venice. — Venice refuses a
protectorate. — Mount Titanus prepares for resistance

CHAPTER X.
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Revolt of the inhabitants of the Romagna. — The Duke of
Urbino recalled by his subjects. — Treaty of peace. —In-
Stallation of a podestat in the name of Cesar Borgia. —
Mount Titanus gives the signal of revolt. — General rising
of the Romagna and of the state of Montefeltro.— A
bloody. contest till the death of Alexander VI.— The Va-
lentinois, conquered, takes refuge among his enemies. —
He goes to Spain, and dies in Catalonia. . ;

CHAPTER XI.
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Exaltation of Julius II. —Francesco della Rovere, and the suc-
cession of the duchy of Urbino. — Necessity of embroiling
the Republic of San Marino with that of Venice. — Secret

- 60

- 68

76
CONTENTS.

projects of Julius II. — Death and funeral of Guidobaldo.
— Elevation of Francesco della Rovere. — His protestation
of friendship for the republic.— Secret emis»aries. — Em-
bassy to Rome. — A papal brief confirms the independence
of the republic. — Death of Julius II. eM

CHAPTER XII.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Exaltation of Leo X. — Pompous display at his coronation. —
Necessity of new resources. — The papacy and family inter-
ests. — The duchy of Urbino selected.as fief for Julian de’
Medici. — The Duke of Montefeltro refuses to abandon his
rights. — Leo X. excommunicates him. — Generosity of the
republic. — The duke abandons his states. — New usurpa-
tion. — San Marino resists the Pontiff

CHAPTER XIII.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Unsuccessful attempt of Duke Francesco. — The library of
Duke Frederic. — Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici. — Efforts
of Leo X. to transfer to Cardinal Julius de’ Medici the rights
of the Duke of Montefeltro.— His death interrupts his plans.
— Pontifical court of Adrian. — His efforts in favor of Fran-
cesco. — Ascension of Clement VII. — Abandonment of the
fortresses Majulo and San Leo. —:The Duke of Urbino re-
stored to his domains. — The legate Francesco Guicciardini.
— Prudent advice. — Defensive measures. — Death of Fran-
cesco della Rovere. — His obsequies. — Secret wish of Paul
III. — Nocturnal attack of June 4, 1542, and its defeat

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Efforts of the inhabitants of San Marino to discover the au-
thors of the treason. — Charles V. joins his protest with

81

90

96
X11 CONTENTS.

those of Venice and of the Dukes of Florence and Urbino.
— Venice promises support to the republic. — Public mis-
sion and secret instructions of the Marquis de Grasciales,
ambassador of Charles V. — Offers of a protectorate to the
republic. — Wise decision of the inhabitants. — Armed
demonstration of the new allies. — Peace assured by the
marriage of the Duke Guidobaldo to a niece of the Pope.
— Last attempts at fiscal exactions, — Paul III. disavows
the acts of his agents, and guarantees forever the inde-
pendence of the republic. a oe ae ee

CHAPTER XV.
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

New attack upon the citadel (1549). — San Marino aided by its
allies. — Defeat of Leonardo Pio. — Renewal of alliance.
— Treaty of Pesaro.— A clause of distrust. — Pope Paul
III. dies. — Is succeeded by Julius III. — His speedy death
relieves the republic of an enemy. — Reunion of the Con-
clave. — Impudent summons in the name of the Huly See.
— Resistance decided upon. — Arbitration of the Duke of
Urbino. — The Arringo refuses to pardon the culprit. —
Reforms in the republic. — Gradual decay of the institutions
of Marinus. — Emigration of men of talent weakens the
republic. — A glance at the situation in the peninsula, —
Its decline at the close of the sixteenth century. — The re-
public seems destined to destruction. — ‘The famine of 1592
rouses its patriotism. — A new revision of its statutes .

CHAPTER XVI.

THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Necessity of a new revision of the laws (1602).— A serious
danger in the horizon. — The Duke of Urbino advises the
republic to place itself under the protection of the Pope. —
The proposition is submitted to a special commission and
is approved by the council. — Treaty of alliance with the

- 103

- 109
CONTENTS. Xili

Pope. — Reservation in the case of an heir to Duke Fran-
cesco Maria IT. — Ratification of the treaty. — A providen-
tial event. — Birth of a prince of Montefeltro.—Joy in
the colony.— Stately embassy. — Urgency of repressive
WRWei cae Gee) we RS a

CHAPTER XVII.
THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES.

Unexpected death of Prince Federigo.— The desolate duke
cedes his rights to the Holy Sce, and dies in 1631. — Treaty
of alliance between the Holy See and San Marino. — Inde-
pendence of the republic solemnly consecrated. — Benefits
cf£ a solid peace. — Reform of abuses. — Letters of recom-
mendation forbidden. — Public instruction. — The right of
asylum abused.— Citizenship of San Marino sought by
strangers as an honor. — Extension of commercial relations
with neighboring provinces . ‘ z 3

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

The protectorate of the Holy See assures the neutrality of
San Marino.— Development of an aristocratic caste. —

- Mount Titanus surrounded. — Horrors of famine. — At-
tempt of October 24, 1739. — The citadel surprised. — The
people convoked in the church. — Alberoni exacts the oath
of obedience to the Holy See. — Brave reply. — Enthusi-
asm of the people. — Alberoni takes flight. — Intervention
of the ambassador from France. — Clement XII. sends an-
other cardinal to Mount Titanus to proclaim there, in the
name of the Pope, the entire independence of the republic.
— Alberoni, exiled at Bologna, publishes a manifesto. —
Crushing reply of Cardinal Corsini. — Testimony of the re-
public's gratitude Pe en ee ee

- 118

- 123

« 128
XIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.
THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES.

The end of the eighteenth century. — America proclaims its
independence.— The revolutionary storm shakes Europe,
— The battalions of the republic cross the Alps. — The
ery of liberty. — Bonaparte sends Monge as ambassador to
San Marino. — His speech and offer of an enlargement of
territory. — Reply of Captain-Regent Antonio Onofri.—
The offer refused. — Division of the pontifical states be-
tween the French empire and the kingdom of Italy. — The
republic saved from danger. — Definitive peace. — Papal
brief confirms the independence of San Marino in 1817

CHAPTER XX.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

The expedition to Rome disturbs the frontiers of San Marino
in 1849. — Garibali takes refuge upon the Titanic mount-
ain. — His order of the day. — Animosity of the Austrians.
— Garibaldi takes ftight.—The war of _1859. — Italian
unity.— Treaties between the republic and the kingdom
of Traly.— Count Cibrario. — Annexation to Italy of the
Pope’s domains. — Abolition of capital punishment. —
Homage to the memory of Dante .

CHAPTER XXI.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Present institutions of San Marino. — Consuls. — Judges. —
Right of petition. — Military system. — Finances. — The
two powers. — The Grand Council. — The eaptains-regents.
— Mode of election. — Local administration. — Obligatory
exercise of public functions. — Sanitary measures. — Ju-

. 186

- 146
CONTENTS. XV

dicial organization. — Defensive force. — The guard of
honor. — Public instruction. — The budget. — Taxes, —
Money. — Public library. — Hospital. — Titles of nobility.
Equestrian Order of San Marino. — The Book of Gold. —
— The patricians.— The freedom of the city . . . 152

ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Frontispiece and the Map are copied from an excellent
history of San Marino, written by J. Theodore Bent, and pub-
lished in London in 1879.
 

CasTLE or San Marino.
THE

REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

 

CHAPTER I.

THE APPROACH TO SAN MARINO. — DESCRIPTION
OF THE CITY.

Tue traveller who leaves Bologna by the
railway which skirts the Adriatic shore,
through Rimini and Ancona to Brindisi, en-
ters at once upon the vast and fertile plains
of the Romagna. He soon comes within
sight of the Apennines, and is able to dis-
tinguish the crests of Mount Titanus stand-
ing out in bold relief. Upon the summit of
this mountain, 2,600 feet above the level of
the sea, has existed for fifteen hundred years
the city of San Marino, the capital of the
republic of that name. If one intends to
visit it he leaves the train at Rimini.

1 San Marino may be reached from the northern part of
Italy by way of Bologna, or from the south by Ancona,
Rimini lying midway between these two cities. An excur-

1
2 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

The Republic of San Marino comprises an
area of seventeen square miles, which is
wholly inclosed within the kingdom of Italy,
and contains eight thousand inhabitants. It
is irregularly shaped, the greatest length
from north to south being seven miles; the
greatest width being five miles. Besides
the Borgo of San Marino, the chief towns
are Serravalle, Mongiardino, and Faetano,
and there are several villages. The princi-
pal products of the soil are grain, wine, oil,
and vegetables. The inhabitants have been
successful in the breeding of cattle, the ex-
portation of which is a source of profit.
They also export cloth, wood, vases of clay,
wheat, hides, sheep, cheese, and wines of ex-
cellent quality.

The distance between the cities of Rimini
and San Marino is thirteen miles, and the

sion may be easily made to it by leaving Bologna in the
afternoon train, which arrives in Rimini in two and a half
hours. Starting from there at six o’clock the next morning,
the traveller may reach San Marino by carriage in three and
a half hours, may spend three hours in a cursory examina-
tion of its objects of interest, and return to Rimini in am-
ple time for the afternoon train to Bologna.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 3

road, though so steep when within a few
miles of the mountain as to require the ad-
dition of oxen to the carriage, is kept in ex-
cellent condition. After a pleasant drive
of ten miles through a fertile valley abound-
ing in vineyards and cornfields, the traveller
arrives at the northern boundary of the re-
public. Here a stone formerly bore on one
side the initials S. P. (Pontifical States), and
on the other R. S. M. (Republic of San
Marino), but time has obliterated all traces
of the letters.

The first town of any importance after
entering the republic is Serravalle, once a
small, independent state,— the ruins of its
fort being still visible,—now containing
about eight hundred inhabitants. It has ac-
quired a reputation for the manufacture of
large vases of clay of Etruscan form, for the
ornamentation of gardens.

Continuing the ascent through well-culti-
vated lands, and passing by several villages,
the traveller arrives at the Borgo. This is
the business centre of the republic, and in
4 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

it a weekly market for the disposal of the
products of the country and an annual fair
for the sale of cattle are held. From the
Borgo the gate of the city is reached by
a very steep and winding road. Here he
alights from the carriage, the streets imme-
diately within the gate being too narrow
and too steep to allow it to enter.

The capital of the republic has about
seven hundred inhabitants. It is defended
by a triple row of ramparts and three tow-
ers. The largest, La Rocca, serves also as a
prison; it has.a square steeple, from which
on civil and religious festival days the blue
and white standard of the republic floats.
The tower incloses the great bell which is
rung to assemble the Sovereign Council, and
on other important occasions.

The city contains a number of palaces
and houses opening upon well-paved and
well-lighted streets. Their external archi-
tecture is not attractive, but the interior is
elegant and comfortable. In the lower part
of the town are the famous church of the
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 5

Franciscans and a fine theatre, having three
rows of galleries and capable of holding six
hundred people.

In the upper part of the city is a square
called the “Pianello,” one side of which is
occupied by public buildings. In the throne
room of the palace of the Sovereign Council
are seen a Holy Family, by Guido Reni; mar-
ble busts of Clement XII. and of Antonio
Onofri, a distinguished citizen and skilful di-
plomatist; portraits of the Duke of Urbino,
of General Bonaparte, and of Melchiore Del-
fico. |

In the palace of the captains-regents there
are portraits of the Emperor Napoleon JI.
and of the Empress Eugénie, of Pope Pius
II, of Napoleon I, of Frederic, Count of
Urbino, and of others who have rendered
important services to the state. There is
also a large medal in gilt bronze bearing the
effigy of Victor Emmanuel II., King of Italy,
which was presented by his majesty.

Another side of the square is occupied by
6 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

the military quarters and the post-office.
From the fourth side, where there are no
buildings, there is a superb view over the
mountains. In the centre of the square is a
statue in white marble representing Liberty,
the gift of the Duchess of Acquaviva, and
underneath the whole is an immense reser-
voir which supplies the citizens with water.

From the Pianello a short walk leads to a
still higher part, where the cathedral is situ-
ated. This church, dedicated to Saint Mari-
nus, the patron of the republic, was built to
take the place of the old cathedral of the
same name, and resembles somewhat in its
form the Madeleine of Paris. Under the
portico is the following inscription : —

DIVO MARINO

PATRONO ET LIBERTATIS AVCTORE
Sen. P. Q.

The corner-stone of the church was laid in
1826 ; it was inaugurated in 1838, and was
consecrated with great religious and civil
ceremonies by the Bishop of Montefeltro in
1855. It contains marble statues represent-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 7

ing the Saviour and twelve Apostles, the
statue of Saint Marinus, and several others.
The relics of the patron saint are preserved
here. Among the works of art are a paint-
ing by Guercino and a marble mausoleum
of Antonio Onofri, with an artistic bas-relief.
The inscription of the monument is a model
of simplicity : —

ANT. HONOFRIO
Patri PaTRirz&

The traveller will not forget to see the li-
brary, the museum, and the hospital, and will
reserve as the crowning pleasure of his visit
the magnificent view from the summit of
the citadel, La Rocca. Words cannot con-
vey an idea of its beauty and grandeur. A
writer has well said that it alone will repay
all the trouble of a journey to San Marino.

Towards the south the eye rests upon the
varied, confused, and picturesque summits
of the Apennines, resembling an ocean of
mountains; towards the north and west upon
the immense plains of the Romagna, whose
fertility gives an idea of the agricultural
8 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

wealth of Italy; upon the cities of Imola,
Faenza, Forli, Cisena, and in the remote dis-
tance Ravenna, with its famous pineta, or
forest of stone pines, extending for twenty-
five miles on the shore of the sea, and look-
ing like a long, black line in the horizon.
The northeasterly view embraces many of
the towns of the republic and Rimini, which
seems to be almost at the base of the cita-
del, and reaches over the Adriatic, whose
waters are dotted with sails, to the far dis-
tant peaks of the Dalmatian Mountains.
CHAPTER II.
THE ORIGIN OF SAN MARINO.

FOURTH CENTURY.

In the early years of the fourth century,
when the imperial power of Rome continued
its persecutions of Christianity, some of the
believers in the new religion braved their
torments, while others, like Hilary and Je-
rome, concealed the observance of their wor-
ship.

San Marino owes its origin to the latter
class. Under the reign of the Emperors Dio-
cletian and Maximian, at the time when the
tenth persecution stained Rome with blood,
a poor stone-cutter from Dalmatia, named
Marinus, converted to the new faith, and ex-
posed by the purity of his life and habits to
the hatred of the pagan executioners, sought
refuge upon Mount Titanus. There, in the
solitude of its summit, he founded the first
Christian hermitage.
10 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

A pathway to this almost inaccessible rock
was soon dug out by the footsteps of the vo-
taries of Christ, attracted there by the words
of the humble workman of Rimini. Pagan-
ism, shaken upon its worm-eaten foundations,
vainly endeavored to impress the mind by
the horrors of a merciless persecution. Al-
ready the mysterious worship of the Cruci-
fied of Jerusalem embraced unconscious fol-
lowers even among its persecutors. Sailors,
scorning old Neptune in the moment of dan-
ger, were seen to offer their prayers towards
Mount Titanus, and solemnly vowed to make
a pilgrimage to it if they escaped the tem-
pest; and thus the secret preaching of the
stone-cutter became by degrees a publie af
firmation of the doctrines revealed by the
Nazarene.

These pilgrimages were at first accom-
plished under the protection of the darkness
of the night, but the fervor and zeal of the
neophytes before long made known far and
wide the renown of the pious recluse, whose
name enjoyed among the workmen of Ri-
mini a sort of veneration. Mount Titanus
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 11

was at that time the property of a Roman
matron named Felicissima, who occupied a
luxurious house on the plain which sur-
rounded it. Her two sons served in the
guard of the emperors, and were very nat-
urally conspicuous by their fierce hatred of
the new religion.

During a visit to their mother they heard
of the pious Christian on the mountain, and
of the fame which he had acquired. Seized
with a violent rage, they undertook, under a
burning sun, the abrupt ascent of the mount-
ain, and arrived almost breathless in pres-
ence of the man who had dared to seek a
retreat upon this barren rock. They found
there, not a violent preacher, but a humble
workman, clothed in coarse texture, who was
declaring in the simple language of the peo-
ple the truths of Christian faith. This un-
expected contrast, the calm and peaceful at-
titude of the poor believer, checked their
courage ; the intended abuse hung upon their
lips, and they could only utter incoherent
threats against the recluse.
12 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

At the same moment, the freezing air of
the high land paralyzed their limbs, which
had been exposed during so many hours to
the rays of the burning sun, and produced a
secret terror of some unknown calamity sent
by the new God. As rapidly as possible they
regained their home. Felicissima, who par-
took of their superstitious fears, alarmed at
the progress of the disease, begged the her-
mit of Mount Titanus to come and restore
them to health. Marinus appeared at the
moment they were preparing to offer a sac-
rifice to Apollo, the god of health. Filled
with indignation, he overthrew the altar,
broke to pieces the statue, and invoked the
intercession of the true God upon the two
unbelievers. Moved by his earnest words,
staggered by the boldness of the Christian
disciple, the two brothers asked, and, to-
gether with their mother and fifty of their
relatives and servants, received baptism.
Then Marinus returned to his retreat and
rendered thanks to God, who at the same
time had cured the bodies and saved the
souls of his two persecutors.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 13

This miraculous event exposed the new
converts to hatred all the more intense, be-
cause their rank gave greater authority to
the proscribed doctrines; very fortunately,
the protection of Constantine allowed Chris-
tians to breathe, and to lay the foundation of
an ecclesiastical organization to which the
new religion was indebted in the early cent-
uries for its power of propagandism.

The enthusiasm created among the follow-
ers of Marinus by the sanctity of his life and
the purity of his conduct was manifested on
the part of Felicissima and her sons by the
free and absolute gift to him of the mount-
ain, upon the summit of which a cross was
soon erected, bearing as its only inscription
the word “ Liberty.”

Having made an equal division of the land
among all the inhabitants, Marinus soon saw
gathered about him the first elements of a
free society, founded upon the principles of
true morality and the practice of virtue. By
degrees dwelling-houses were erected, culti-
vation invaded the steep sides of the mount-
14. THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ain, and new converts came to swell the
number of the flock. Seeing the increase of
the little colony, Marinus, guided by the in-
stinct of his simple heart, imagined to what
dangers it would some day be exposed, and
determined to establish it upon principles so
strong that it might after his death maintain
itself in the way he was marking out for it.
Convinced of the divinity of Christianity, he
took Christianity for a fundamental consti-
tution. Social law rested upon divine law,
and the Christian family became the model
of a human community. Each day, after the
evening meal, he preached to them equality,
justice, charity, simplicity, and especially a
love of peace as the first blessing which man
should desire, the first duty which a Christian
should impose upon himself.

This pious propagandism increased very
rapidly the number of the disciples of Ma-
rinus. Associated in their common labors,
the new-comers were at the same time in-
spired with the wise doctrines preached by
the master; but he, far from assuming the
authority and privileges of a commander,
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 15

was careful to undertake nothing — even
small things — without consulting either the
assembly of the people or the church it-
self. Bishops, presbyters, and deacons were
elected, and their wives shared in the du-
ties of the offices. Marinus, obedient to all
decisions concerning the common welfare,
participated, like every inhabitant, in the
manual labor rendered necessary by the
erection of buildings and the cultivation of
the ground. Many years passed in the
practice of this calm life and of this sublime
religion, when paralysis and death struck the
founder of the colony. He died while pray-
ing for his brethren, and again imploring
them never to seek by violent means an en-
largement of their territory, whatever might
be the exigencies resulting from an increase
of the society. War, a painful necessity for
people acting in self-defence, was, in the
eyes of the venerable sage, an abominable
crime in those who provoked it; and it was
while imprecating homicide that he passed
away, without imagining that during more
than fifteen centuries his will would be re-
spected by generations educated to honor
his name and to love his doctrine.
CHAPTER III.

FROM THE EIGHTH TO THE TWELFTH CENTURY.

Increase of territory. — Independence of the community acknowl-
edged.

Suca was the origin of the community of
San Marino, a half religious, half civil soci-
ety, in which the two elements were so bal-
anced that it remained free from the errors
and conflicts which proved fatal elsewhere.
We shall see the embryo state, like a vessel
tossed about by the waves, escaping the cy-
clone of barbaric invasion and successfully
braving the storms of the Middle Ages.

Every man during his life feels the influ-
ence of his origin and its surroundings.
None of us, even at the most advanced age,
when reflection, experience, sufferings, and
passions have moulded our reason and our
hearts, can escape the effect of early educa-
tion, which is often the source of our vices
and our virtues, and therefore of our misery
or our happiness.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 4

It is so with nations. The spirit of their
first teachers follows them through ages and
directs their destiny. Doctrines perpetu-
ated by tradition and laws lead them either
to grandeur or to ruin. How did Marinus
establish this colony? Venerated, blindly
obeyed, his moral influence extending be-
yond the narrow territory of the commu-
nity, did he entertain the idea of setting
himself up as a sovereign? of sheltering on
his impregnable rock, behind the walls of
a fortress, bands of soldiers to be launched
upon Italy, already falling into decay anda
prey offered to daring men? No! Upon the
summit of the mountain which overlooks a
country peopled with thousands of slaves,
he inscribed the word “ Liberty.”

After Constantine had transferred the seat
of the empire to the confines of Europe, the
pompous luxury of Asia invaded Italy, and
extended even to religion. At the same
time, the rapid development of the Arian
heresy had shaken upon its foundations the
rising Christianity ; numerous sects inaugu-

rated, by violent disputes, quarrels of which
2
18 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

the church of the God of peace was to be-
come, during so many centuries, the battle-
ground. Thus, the contrast between the
manners and the creeds of the Roman prov-
inces and those of the Titanic colony was
apparent from this period in every act of
life, in every manifestation of faith. At
tracted by the pious renown of the little
church, numerous pilgrims went to pray
upon the tomb of its founder, where faith
was not long in seeing miracles accom-
plished. Again the name of Marinus passed
beyond the frontiers of the little state, to re-
sound in Rome and even in Constantinople.
The scandal caused at the time of the dis-
solution of the Council of Rimini by the
attitude, more warlike than Christian, of
certain bishops was a revelation to some
sincere prelates. Abandoning titles and
privileges, they sought refuge in the bosom
of the community of Mount Titanus, where
they were by degrees followed by numer-
ous proselytes.

Historieal tradition during the first centu-
ries of Christianity contains, as can be read-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 19.

ily understood, many intervals so far as it
relates to this little people. The patriarchal.
organization which Marinus bequeathed to.
it secured the benefits of domestic happi-
ness rather than the advantages of political.

glory.

In 750, at the time of the elevation of
Astolphus to the throne of Lombardy, the.
Holy See, notwithstanding the gift of the
city of Rome and of several provinces of
Italy, made by the.Emperor Constantine to
Pope Sylvester, possessed only a disputed
temporal authority. Resolved to make
their sovereign power respected, the Popes
became hostile to the two great powers who
were fighting for the possession of Italy, —
the Lombards and the Greek emperors,
against whom they had launched the thun-
derbolts of excommunication.

This contest rendered the little colony of
San Marino liable to become the prey of the
conqueror. Unexpected good fortune or-
dained that it should not be swallowed. up in
the tempest, but the violence to which it
20 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

was obliged to submit will show what dan-
gers it narrowly escaped in the struggle.

The territory obtained by conquest from
the excommunicated powers becoming he-
retical spoils, Rome claimed an acknowl-
edgment from the Lombards, the Pentapolis,
and the Exarchate of Ravenna that they
had been able to conquer only by grace of
the excommunication launched against the
Emperor Leo the Isaurian, and Constantine
Copronymus.

The Lombards, asserting that they had
taken these countries by their own strength
and for their own account, went so far, on
the other hand, as to reclaim the sovereignty
of Rome, which, having always been gov-
erned in the name of the emperor, by the
Exarch of Ravenna, had become by right
of conquest tributary to Astolphus. Pope
Stephen III. then resorted to the powerful
alliance of Pepin the Short, and upon his
invitation went to France to confer with
him more freely upon their common inter
ests.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 21

But the parliament assembled at Crécy
upon Oise was far from showing the docility
which the king and the Pope expected from
it. Upon the entreaty of Prince Carloman,
elder brother of Pepin, chosen by Astolphus
to plead his cause, it was decided that an em-
bassy should be sent to the King of the Lom-
bards to treat with him for peace.

The concessions assented to by Astolphus
being limited to the withdrawal of his claims
upon Rome, and the Pope persisting in his
demand for the Pentapolis and the Exar-
chate of Ravenna, Pepin decided to declare
war, and, in advance, to make the famous
donation to Innocent III., by which the tem-
poral power of the Pope was definitively es-
tablished.

Taken by surprise by the overwhelming
arrival of the Franks, the Lombard army was
cut in pieces. Astolphus, besieged in Pavia,
signed an act of surrender, which he vainly
sought to evade after the departure of Pepin.
The latter, exasperated, recrossed the Alps,
and imposed upon Astolphus a new treaty, of
22. THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

which he secured the execution, and by which,
besides the abandonment of the Exarchate
and of the Pentapolis, the vanquished king
acknowledged himself a vassal and a tribu-
tary of France.

The keys of the surrendered places were
solemnly deposited upon the tomb of Saint
Peter, together with the deed of gift made
by Pepin and his two sons, who had been cre-
ated patricians of Rome. Astolphus did not
long survive his defeat. He died in 756.

In the midst of the alternations of this
strife, San Marino, directly exposed to the
extortions of the Lombards, had the sorrow
of seeing the sepulchre of Marinus violated
by the bands of Astolphus. The mortal re-
mains of the hermit were carried away and
given to the church of Pavia, from which
they were fortunately retaken by Pepin after
the defeat of Astolphus. The first care of
the conqueror was not only to restore to the
people of Mount Titanus the venerated ashes
of its founder, but to exclude the territory of
San Marino from the fiefs comprised in the
royal gift.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 23

Until the ninth century the inhabitants of
San Marino appear to have held amicable re-
lations with the Popes ; it was then that the
first conflict took place between the free state
and the church, represented by the Bishop of
Rimini. This bishop, named Deltone, de-
manded of the monastery of San Marino its
various livings, to which, as feudatory of said
monastery, in the name of the episcopal rev-
enues, he claimed a right. Stephano, regent
of San Marino, accused of usurpation, re-
quested the arbitration of the Bishop of
Montefeltro. A court of justice was opened,
in which the laymen of the Duke of ‘Orso,
civil protector of the latter, took part. The
proofs furnished by Stephano indisputably
established the rights of the church of San
Marino, independent of any bishop, and gov-
erned by the freely expressed will of the pop-
ulation, of which he, Stephano, was the priest,
abbé, and regent, conformably to the funda-
mental institutions of the community. In
the absence of valid reasons in support of his
claim, the Bishop of Rimini was not sustained
in his pretensions, and the independence of
San Marino received for the first time a legal
acknowledgment.
24 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

But this affirmation of the civil and eccle-
siastical liberty of San Marino opened the
eyes of the Pontiff; he comprehended the
danger of the independent organization of
this little Christian group, and in order to
convert it to the Roman rite he employed
means to proselyte its most active members.
From this period, in fact, dates the separa-
tion of the ecclesiastical body from the mass
of citizens forming the independent people.

It was thus that the peaceful community
reached the beginning of the tenth century,
during which the necessity of union for de-
fence under protection of solid walls led to
the grouping into inclosed cities the sparse
population of the provinces, and transformed
into so many fortresses the seigneurial habi-
tations. Sheltered by strong ramparts, the
feudality was able to maintain the contest till
the day when the same means of resistance
assured the triumph of Italian republics, and
became guaranties of independence.

Involved against their own wishes in these
intestine quarrels, the inhabitants of Mount
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 25

Titanus, exposed to the bold attacks of the
condottieri, felt the necessity of perfecting the
natural defences for which they were ‘in-
debted to their geographical position. San
Marino, transformed into a fortress, acquired
so much renown for its impregnability that
towards the year 950 King Berenger, pur-
sued by his conqueror, Otto, came there
with every confidence of security to seek a
refuge for himself and his followers. Many
inhabitants of the plain, attracted to San
Marino by the hope of a more calm life, ar-
rived at this period to swell the numbers of
the colony. In consequence of the narrow
space within the inclosure of its walls, it
was thought best to make a division, and to
found upon the opposite slope of the mount-
ain the Borgo, designated later by the name

of “The Market.”

Wisdom, of which this admirable people
never lost sight, triumphed at this critic-
al time over the ambitious suggestions of
force. Far from seeking, in order to enlarge
their frontiers, to profit by the troubles into
which their neighbors were plunged, they
26 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO..

adhered strictly to the precepts of. the
founder, and received no additional territory
except that which was voluntarily assented
to by contract. It was thus that in the
twelfth century the Chateau of Pennarossa,
with its lands, and a part of that of Casole,
ceded by the Counts of Montefeltro, were an-
nexed. The strict honesty and the inflexi-
ble good faith of these peaceable neighbors
cemented between them and the family of
Montefeltro an alliance which, on many oc-
casions, increasing the power of the little
territory, enabled it to offer a firm resistance
to the ambitious views of the Malatesta fam-
ily, usurpers of the domain of Rimini, and
animated by sentiments wholly unlike those
of the Counts of Montefeltro.

Nevertheless, very few events of impor-
tance to the San Marino colony grew out of
the interesting period during which regener-
ated Italy threw off the yoke of its oppress-
ors, and saw each of its provinces assert its
independence and autonomy. An instinct of
liberty, which the invaders believed to be
forever smothered in this effeminate and
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 27

enervated people, suddenly declared itself,
and from place to place inflamed the towns
and cities. Italian republics were formed,
and the first experiment of democratic goy-
ernment in the peninsula succeeded the ex-
cesses of brutal oppression.

Unfortunately there was wanting in this
resuscitation of free instincts a principle
capable of impressing upon the mind a di-
rection and a discipline. Little by little the
magistrates chosen by citizens to defend their
rights used for their own benefit the power
that had been delegated to them. Far from
having conquered peace with liberty, Italy
saw unchained a new series of intestine
strifes; streams of blood again inundated
its plains, while, immovable upon its rock,
the community of San Marino pursued its
work of independence in perfecting its laws,
and in submitting to the sanction of the peo-
ple every decision of the consuls which might
influence its institutions.

All the violence of the factions of the
Guelphs and the Ghibellines was required to
28 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

unsettle this work of wisdom, and to com-
promise the results laboriously acquired.
Individual hatred and insatiable aspirations
of personal interest, finding their account in
these commotions, perpetuated murder and
rapine. Human life became a stake without
value ; to the fury of political passions were
added ‘the terrors of religious fanaticism ; the
sword pursued its merciless work, andl the
torch of human reason seemed on the point
of being extinguished in this infernal con-
flict.
CHAPTER IV.

FROM THE THIRTEENTH TO THE FOURTEENTH
CENTURY.

San Marino in the thirteenth century.—It takes part against
Rome. — Alliance with Frederic II. — Papal excommunication.
— Congress of peace. — Perfidy of the Bishop of Montefeltro. —
His death delivers the republic.— Ugolino and the Guelph
party. — End of the strife.

From the beginning of the thirteenth cent-
ury, important changes took place in the
ecclesiastical organization of Mount Titanus;
the Roman church had long since imposed
its dogmas upon the descendants of the dis-
ciples of Marinus, and the clerical hierarchy
had brought the priests of Mount Titanus
within the dependency of the bishopric of
Montefeltro. It was then that the life of
Saint Marinus, long since beatified, became
a tissue of legends, before which the poetic
improbabilities of mythological fables grew
pale. All the power of the true tradition,
all the force of the prudent institutions of
Marinus, were necessary to resist this means
of subjection. Vanquished upon spiritual
30 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ground, the Christian doctrine triumphed vic-
toriously as moral law, and the immovable
attachment of the people of San Marino to
its primitive institutions yielded in no way
to the influence of corruption which it was
feared would be introduced into its religious
observances.

After having been a witness of these
strifes, they were themselves to know the
bitterness of discord and the terrors of war.
Powerful enemies were watching them, wait-
ing only for a favorable opportunity to break
the wise compact so faithfully observed by
generations animated with the spirit of union
and concord.

Ugolino, Bishop of Montefeltro, availing
himself of a document of the thirteenth
century, by which the lords of Montefeltro
reserved the right of maintaining at San
Marino a judge, pretended to have claims
upon the little community going back to the
donation of the States of the Church by
King Pepin, the donation embracing the ter-
ritory of San Marino, “as proved by a cer-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 31

tain text of Anastasius, librarian of the Ro-
man church.” This demand was based upon
uncertain authority, since there appeared
among the territories given by King Pepin
the monastery of San Marino, which, till the
end of the tenth century, was never known
under this name, and was invariably called
Mount Titanus, or Mountain of the Giants.
The original instrument of Anastasius had
undergone one of those alterations which
‘were at that time not infrequent.

At the moment when the Guelph party,
crushed by Frederic II., seemed utterly an-
nihilated, the Bishop of Montefeltro and the
neighboring lords, members of his family,
raised against the papacy the standard of re-
bellion, and partly by persuasion, partly by
threats, induced the people of San Marino to
take the part of the German prince against
the sovereign Pontiff. The success of Fred-

1 The Titanus is none other than the Mons Acer of Strabo.
The pagan legend ranged this ancient voleano among the
mountains piled up by the giants-to scale Olympus. It also
places there the Titanies, or fétes of the Titanians, near
the hot springs indicating the burial-place of the rebellious
giants.
82 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

eric IT. making him a powerful protector, and
the Guelph faction seeming to be forever
destroyed, it became easy to convince the in-
habitants of Mount Titanus of the advantages
of an alliance with such strong neighbors,
“who wished by no means to speak as mas-
ters, notwithstanding the rights which they
might avail of in virtue of authentic texts.”

This indirect affirmation of sovereignty was
but the first step toward a definite usurpation.

Very fortunately, events aided the impru-
dent little people in extricating themselves
from this unfortunate error. Pope Inno-
cent, then a refugee at Lyons, thundered forth
his anathemas against the usurper and his
partisans. The weapon of excommunication,
at that time terrible, was sufficient to over-
throw, in the minds of the multitude, a power
based only upon the right of force. When,
therefore, Bishop Ugolino and his flock were
excluded, with Frederic IL., from the pale of
the Roman church, the inhabitants of San
Marino understood the fault they had com-
mitted in associating themselves with either
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 33

of the parties, and resolved to return to their
traditional neutrality, which till then had
been their source of strength. Joining in
the attempt at mediation undertaken by the
Archbishop of Ravenna, they had the honor
of seconding his action, and soon saw the
summit of Mount Titanus chosen as the seat
of a congress of peace, in spite of its recent
participation in the violence of the Ghibel-
line faction.

A truce of twenty days was the only result
of this interview between the chiefs of the two
parties ; but at its expiration the San Marino
people, fully restored to wisdom by a knowl-
edge of the danger they had run, refused all
further interference in these quarrels. Re-
lieved of the papal interdict, reconciled with
the Guelph party, they soon afterwards of-
fered an asylum to the Bishop of Montefel-
tro, an outlaw and a fugitive, and bravely
exposed themselves to new rigors to protect
the enemy of their liberty.

The wording of a contract which had for

its object the redemption of certain rights of
3

i
34 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

passage injurious to agricultural transactions
furnished the prelate with an excuse for being
a party, as Bishop of Montefeltro, to an au-
thentic compromise by which he might, later,
acquire the right to affirm his claims of spir-
itual protector of the community. Death
fortunately came to render these dangers
harmless, and to deliver the little people from
the enemy they had protected. The germs
of discord by which Ugolino had tried to
insure the ruin of the community were not
long in disappearing; the ambitious aims of
a small fraction, jealous of privileges and ani-
mated by a foolish pride of caste, were baftled
by the good sense of the general assembly,
and all at last was restored to order.

Nevertheless, Bishop Giovanni, successor
of Ugolino, declared his intention of availing
himself of the intervention of the prelate in
a former contract to appear himself as eccle-
siastical protector. Count Urbino, in needy
circumstances, having sold to the community
of San Marino the half of Mount Casole with
all its rights, the Bishop of Montefeltro be-
came a party to the contract in virtue of
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 35.

episcopal rights, of which no one dreamed of
foreseeing the political importance. We shall
see what a source of difficulties they became
later to the inhabitants of San Marino, wholly
absorbed in the pleasure of receiving and
féting their new brethren.

In 1278, a contest, originating in rights.
of tolls between the Titanic people and the
neighboring lords, led to a conference, in:
which the wily prelate hastened to take part.
The inhabitants, seeing their rights boldly
defended, could not imagine the bearing of
it, and submitted compliantly to the man-
agement of the bishop. This resulted in a
decision that the community should be rep-
resented in the government of the county,
which would assimilate it in a certain meas-
ure to the other provinces placed under the
jurisdiction of the Counts of Montefeltro, and
lead it by degrees to a participation in the
expenses rendered necessary for the common
interest.

Thus, war having been let loose with a new
fury, the inhabitants of Mount Titanus, en-
86 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

rolled under the banner of Ugolino, grand-
son of the celebrated Ghibelline, Guido of
Montefeltro, found themselves exposed to the
hatred of the Guelph party, commanded by
the tyrannical Malatesta. Furious at seeing
his enemy protected upon the rocks of Mount
Titanus against his blows, and among the in-
habitants a phalanx of brave and robust de-
fenders, Malatesta was further enraged to find
that the inaccessible fortress had furnished an
asylum to an important ally, Percitade de
Percitadi, minister of the emperor, captured
by treachery, but who, having almost imme-
diately escaped, sought refuge upon Mount
Titanus. In spite of his triumphs in the
Romagna, the fierce Guelph conqueror was
obliged to submit to this check, and to see
even the imperial minister reach Venice to
seek an alliance there. As to the old Count
Guido, converted, perhaps, by the example of
Christian virtues which he had witnessed
during his residence at San Marino, he re-
solved to retire to Ancona to end his days in
a convent.

This voluntary departure and abdication
IHE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 37

rendered unnecessary the warlike prepara-
tions employed for the protection of the
count and the ambassador. Far from al-
lowing themselves to be tempted by a mar-
tial passion, very excusable in a people sure
of its power, they immediately gave up all
participation ‘in the civil war, and, leaving
the Count of Montefeltro to pursue his career
of combats, resumed at once the pacific mis-
sion to which their founder had consecrated
them.
CHAPTER V.
THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

The peace of 1300. — New quarrel and new arbitration. — Second
affirmation of the rights of the republic. — Renewal of a suit.
— The Pope chosen arbiter. — Proclamation of independence.

A GENERAL peace soon followed, which re-
stored Romagna to itself, and settled, by a
treaty concluded in 1300, the relations be-
tween San Marino and the Counts of Mon-
tefeltro. It was at this period that a new
contest broke out between the Titanic con-
gregation and the court of Rome, alarmed
by the spirit of independence and by the
force displayed by the former in aiding their
allies. The following was the pretext of this
quarrel.

While Malatesta triumphed in Romagna,
the Pope established in the subjected prov-
inces a magistracy designed to substitute tem-
poral rights for those of. the emperor, who
had been driven away. Legates, vicars, and
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 39

governors were chosen from among the men
most distinguished for science or military
valor; but that did not prevent certain cities
from offering a lively resistance to the rep-
resentatives of the Pontiff, who sometimes
even gave up their offices and intrusted the
duties to obscure agents. Ildebrandino, gov-
ernor of Montefeltro, appointed as represent-
ative in the county Theodoric, Canon of San
Leo. In 1292, the canon decided to demand
the salaries of his office direct from the com-
munes. San Marino, considered by him as a
dependent of the county, resisted this pre-
tension, refusing to acknowledge the rights
of suzerainty of the governor.

The difficulty was finally submitted to the
arbitration of an upright judge, the learned
Palamedes of Rimini, esteemed throughout
the province for his justice and impartiality.
In order to adjudicate with full knowledge
of the case, he invited the vicar to accom-
pany him to Mount Titanus. Theodoric, an-
imated with a laudable spirit of justice, con-
sented to inquire into the reasons of the
inhabitants for their opposition to the papal
40 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

demands. Almost as soon as he arrived
among them, he was prepossessed by the
frankness and cordiality of their reception
and the sincerity of their statements, and
he carefully examined their charter. The ar-
rest of Bishop Giovanni and other public
acts seemed to him to sanction indisputable
rights, and he frankly assented to the decis-
ion which denied the claims of the court of
Rome.

It will be observed that this thorough ex-
amination of the judicial acts of the com-
munity did not in any manner refer to the
famous gift of King Pepin, upon which the
court of Rome had previously based its
claims on Mount Titanus.

Theodoric having died, the new Podestat
of Montefeltro, Daniel of Urbino, induced
the Vicar Cuzio of Mount San Savino to re-
new against the community of San Marino
the suit which had been duly and properly
adjudged. A learned ecclesiastic, Guglielmo
Durante, then governor of Romagna, lent
the authority of his name to the pontifical
claims.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 41

Indignant at the chicanery to which they
were exposed, the inhabitants of San Marino
were upon the point of having recourse to
the power of arms to definitively settle their
rights; but the wisdom of the council re-
pressed these warlike desires, and it was to
the Pope himself that their deputies went to
make accusations against his ministers. Bon-
iface VIII., in a spirit of peace to which we
must render justice, referred the question to
the judgment of Ranieri, Abbé of Saint An-
astasius, and empowered him to settle it for-
ever. The well-known honesty of the abbé
restored confidence to the San Marino com-
munity, who at once delegated officials to
lay before him the evidence of their rights.

Again justice triumphed, and the Titanic
people succeeded in proving that if they had
shared in the special expenses of war voted
by the general parliament of the province,
they had never contributed to the taxes of
the county of Montefeltro, and not a tithe
to establish the right of seigniory. Soto Le
Penne, rector of the Church of Saint John,
a man versed in legendary knowledge, was
even able to certify the existence of the gen-
42 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

uine instrument establishing the gift made
to Marinus by Felicissima; another impor-
tant testimony, that of Giovanni Biagio,
proved that by a privileged grant to Mari-
nus per Papam et per imperatorem the inhab-
itants of the mountain were free and exempt
from all dues.

These judicial proofs, joined to the pos-
session of ancient exemptions, gave once
more a legal decision in favor of the little
state, and furnished a new opportunity of
asserting its principles of political independ-
ence.

To the minute interrogatories submitted
by the Abbé of Saint Anastasius to many cit-
izens are found answers like the following:
“We are independent, because man belongs
to himself; because he is not accountable to
man, but-only to the master of all, our Lord
Jesus Christ.” The document which con-
tains the long and searching interrogatory is
preserved in the archives of San Marino, at-
testing to-day the energetic sentiment of in-
dependence which in past ages animated the
heirs of Marinus.
CHAPTER VI.
THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

The Congress of San Leo.— Solemn renunciation of Uberto. —
The state in the fourteenth century. — Secret envoys. — He-
roic punishment of crime. — Sentence of banishment. — Death
of Uberto. — New treaty of peace (13820). — Curious historical
episode. — Annexation of Busignano. — The exiles recover their
rights.

Tue diocese of Montefeltro not being in-
cluded in the treaty to which the Romagna
owed several years of peace, Bishop Uberto,
alarmed, perhaps, by the violence of the in-
veterate hatred among his diocesans, con-
sented to refer to a congress the work of pac-
ification of which he knew the importance.
This congress was opened at San Leo, in the
monastery of San Francesco di Santigne ;
and it was there, in the presence of the
ambassadors of San Marino, that the bishop
solemnly renounced all claims upon Mount
Titanus. At the same time an article was
inserted in the treaty of peace obliging the
inhabitants of San Marino to pay annually
44. THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

a thousand livres to the bishop as a religious
and voluntary gift. This clause did not fail to
become later a cause for new disputes. The
prelates of Montefeltro found in it the means
of interfering in the government of the lit-
tle state, and it was only by the force of a
firm resolution that the people suceeeded in
repelling their pretensions, — thanks to the
exactitude of the payment of the sum by
which they had reason to believe they had
bought a definitive peace.

In the fourteenth century the San Marine
congregation, which, in the midst of the
tumult of civil wars, remained faithful to the
institutions of its founder, undertook to cod-
ify the traditions to which it owed the ben-
efits of peace and liberty; the assembly or
Arringo,' specially convoked, received from a
number of citizens chosen to prepare a code
of laws a book of statutes (“ Liber Statutorum
Communis Castri S. Marini”), which at this
day would serve as a model of simplicity and

1 The Arringo, composed of heads of families, was the
governing power of the republic till the end of the fourteenth
century, when its authority was transferred to the Sovereign
Council. — Tr.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 45

precision. The names of these legislators
have survived the laws they created, and re-
main attached to the work of wisdom, which
still figures in the archives of San Marino.

At this period the dignity of consul was
changed into that of captain. Only citizens
of San Marino were eligible to the office,
whose acts were subjected to the supervision
of the Arringo; they exercised its functions
during six months, and could not be elected
twice consecutively. Originally the duties of
this high position were performed by two
functionaries, one of whom was called De-
fender; but when the independence of the
state ceased to be threatened, the title dis-
appeared, and only that of captain or cap-
tain-regent is kept up at the present time.

A singular attempt of Uberto at this pe-
riod once more alarmed the peaceful popu-
lation of Mount Titanus. A number of se-
cret delegates from the Bishop of Montefel-
tro unexpectedly appeared at San Marino,
under protection of the cities and fiefs of
the diocese. This embassy was not long in
46 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

awakening natural feelings of distrust among
the young men of the city, instinctively hos-
tile to all partisans of the Guelph cause.
Some of the most excited, suspecting the
delegates to be secret agents of the bishop,
seized their persons and imprisoned them in
the fortress La Rocca. The Arringo was im-
mediately assembled, and with the inflexible
fidelity of an assembly holding in trust the
rights of the people decreed that the guilty
should be prosecuted. In vain the emissa-
ries, when restored to liberty, pretended to
have forgotten the offence. The magistrates
were informed of the case, and they, regard-
less of the family ties existing between the
guilty parties and the protectors of the law,
arraigned all those-who had violated it. The
defendants, after having at great length reca-
pitulated the ancient grievances of the com-
munity against the Bishops of Montefeltro,
proved that certain envoys, without proper
commissions, had abused the hospitality of
the republic to raise a conspiracy again$t it,
and to sow discord among its citizens; they
swore that in their action they were only
obeying the dictates of their consciences in
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. A477

saving the country from danger. The long
and éloquent pleading was powerless against
the inexorable will of the judges, who were
resolved to consecrate in a solemn manner
the respect due to the law of nations. With
a stoicism worthy of antiquity, these fathers
were prompt in pronouncing judgment on
their sons, and in subjecting them to the
penalty of banishment and the payment of
a considerable fine.’ This rigorous sentence
was unsparingly executed, and the republic,
to save its honor, did not hesitate to tear
from its bosom the most valorous and de-
voted of its children.

Failing in his projects, the Bishop of Mon-
tefeltro resolved to declare war.

But the bravery of the defenders of Mount
Titanus was again able to repulse their fa-
natical enemies. For this they were indebt-
ed to the codperation of the exiled citizens
enrolled under the banner of Count Guido,
which soon floated triumphantly over the
domains of the prelate, who did not long sur-
vive the shame of his defeat.
48 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

His successor, Benvenuto, after having,
with no greater success, tried the fortunes of
war, had recourse to a cleverer way to con-
ciliate the heroic little people. In the plain
dress of a pastor, the prelate went, unat-
tended, into the midst of the impregnable
fortress, to propose in the name of the God
of peace forgetfulness of the past and a ces-
sation of the inhuman strife. Deceived by
the gentleness of the bishop, the inhabitants
received with joy his evangelical words, and
immediately appointed the proper officers to
sign a treaty of peace which was proposed to
them. This agreement, ratified September
16, 1820, had no other object than to pre-
serve, by means of ambiguous clauses, the
pretended rights of the bishopric, and to de-
fer to a more favorable moment a renewal
of the hostilities which had terminated so
disastrously for the episcopal cause.

Although the attempt of Bishop Uberte
not only excused but justified the violent
act committed by the young men of the re-
public for its safety, yet the sentence of ban-
ishment remained irrevocable by virtue of
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 49

the very laws of which the inviolability had
been maintained. The admirable conduct of’
the exiles during the strife, the courage with,
which they had fought for the country, did
not open to them the gates of the capital,.
nor restore the enjoyment of their dearest
rights. A circumstance occurred to enable
them to return within the pale of the heroie
community for which they had shed their
blood.

Among the fiefs which had taken the part
of the inhabitants was the Borgo of Busig-
nano. After the conclusion of peace, the
entire population of the Borgo asked of the
republic the right of citizenship, swearing to
obey its laws and to die in the defence of its
liberties. This earnest petition having been
unanimously granted, the little Titanic pha-
lanx found among its increased numbers a
handful of defenders determined to throw off
forever the yoke of the neighboring princes.
The San Marino exiles, to whom the Borgo
had offered a refuge, and who had acquired
there the rights of citizenship, were by the act

of incastellazione restored to the full possession
4
50 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

of their original rights, and enabled again to
tread the blessed soil of the free country.
It is with natural pride that the author of
this work, who has been honored with the
title of Count of Busignano, relates the event
which has sealed an alliance between the two
peoples during a period of four centuries.
CHAPTER VII.
THE FOURTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH CENTURIES.

Resort to arms. — Death of Frederic of Urbino. — Propositions
of peace.— San Marino refuses peace. — Papal thunders. —
Humiliating propositions. — The Malatestas make war against
the Pope. — John XXII. seeks the alliance of San Marino. —
Hlevation of Innocent VI.— Triumph of papal cause in Italy.
— Proclamation of the independence of San Marino.

Desparrine of success against his enemy,
Benvenuto resolved to revenge himself for
the implacable resistance he had encoun-
tered by the cession to some powerful ally of
his pretended rights upon Mount Titanus.
His choice naturally fell upon the lords of
Malatesta, the fierce governors of Rimini,
sworn enemies of the Ghibellines and of their
chief, Frederic of Urbino. Pope John XXII.
sent from Avignon a bull to give the force of
law to the treaty. But before promulgating
it the pontifical legate was instructed to in-
form himself of the true situation of the par-
ties, and particularly of the sum of money
to which the Holy See could lay claim. In
52 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

consequence of information received from the
legate the Pontiff did not hesitate to declare
himself a creditor to the extent of fourteen
thousand livres, that the Bishop of Monte-
feltro pretended to have the right to demand.
Count Frederic of Urbino lent to his allies of
San Marino the support of his valiant sword,
around which the Ghibellines immediately
crowded, gathered from all parts of Italy.
Again a bloody contest devastated the Ro-
magna, but the combined efforts of the le-
gions of Frederic and the phalanx of the re-
public reinstated the Duke of Urbino and his
uncle Speranza of Montefeltro, in their pos-
sessions, from which they had been moment-
arily driven by the Guelphs. Frederic did
not, unfortunately, profit by this victory:
killed in the midst of triumph, he died with
the consolation of seeing his family recalled
by subjects who had rallied in support of his
cause partly in consequence of the excesses’
of the Guelph faction.

Malatesta, comprehending that he was en-
gaged in a bad quarrel, and seeing the Guelph
cause deserted by the people of Urbino, prof-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 53

ited by the death of Count Frederic to ask
for peace. The republic, wearied with the
strife, and realizing that a state of war was a
fearful extremity, promptly appointed officers
to treat with him. Immediately Bishop Ben-
venuto, as well as the Pope, interposed to
demand the part of mediators, to which their
sacred charaeter gave them a right. In con-
sideration of the most complete absolution
and the removal of numerous excommunica-
tions incurred by “heretical rebels,” the in-
genuous little people were to become by the
treaty not only the allies of the Malatestas
and their successors, but the declared enemies
of their enemies, to whom they agreed to re-
fuse even the right of asylum.

This requirement opened the eyes of these
loyal soldiers. Their attachment to the fam-
ily of Montefeltro outweighed their desire for
peace, and before the ratification of the treaty
they again took up arms in defense of Spe-
ranza and Nolfo of Urbino.

The irritation of the tiara was at its height.
New excommunications were launched from
54 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

Avignon against the heretics. The indiffer-
ence with which the papal thunders were
received caused John XXII. to fear that the
example of Mount Titanus might be followed
by neighboring provinces, and he was desir-
ous of bringing back at any price his erring
children within the pale of the church. A
brief addressed in 1325 to the legate Almeric
dictated the conditions of a full pardon, but
with the threat of destroying its effect if the
culprits relapsed into the same errors, and
failed again in the obedience which was due
to the Holy Father.

These propositions were not even listened
to, and, thanks to their means of defence, the
inhabitants of San Marino awaited, in con-
sequence of the wearied condition of their
enemies, a peace which would not be com-
promised by equivocal treaties.

By degrees the contest between Count
Urbino and the exhausted Guelphs was al-
layed, and soon a peace de facto reigned not
only in San Marino, but in the provinces
which had been victims of the horrors of
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 55

civil war. In 1338, this peace barely es-
caped being forfeited by the treason of some
bad citizens corrupted by neighboring lords
to whom the Titanic fortress had opened its
doors; but the attempt was baffled in time,
and the territory of the commune was inter-
dicted against the presence of powerful for-
eigners.

Towards the end of his pontificate, Pope
John saw the Malatestas, in their turn, direct
their arms against the church. The legate
and the agents of the Holy See were obliged
to escape from the Romagna. The Pontiff
offered to relieve from interdiction the in-
habitants of San Marino and the Counts of
Montefeltro, in order to obtain their codpera-
tion against the new rebels; but both of them
prudently awaited the issue of this quarrel
between their old advérsaries. Soon their
implacable enemy, Benvenuto, driven from
San Leo by Nicolas di Montefeltro, was re-
duced to the necessity of seeking the hos-
pitality of the little nation against which he
had treacherously fought. Faithful to its tra-
ditional generosity, it permitted the repent-
56 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ant bishop to end his days on Mount Titanus
in contrition and prayer.

The pitiable state of anarchy into which
Italy now found itself plunged came to an end
upon the elevation of Innocent VI. Con-
vinced that the condition of the peninsula
was favorable to a restoration of pontifical
powers and rights, he sent to Rome the dis-
tinguished tribune, Nicolas Rienzi, clothed
with ample power, while the skilful Cardi-
nal d’Albornos, well known by his political
and military talents, accepted the mission of
subjecting the whole of Italy to the Holy
See.

The treaties intended to establish the new
alliance brought out to the full extent the
rights of Mount Titanus, released from all
obligations to the Counts of Montefeltro.
The commune of San Marino, considered as
a bulwark against the Malatestas, was to re-
gain the fullness of its independence as soon
as they should return to the obedience of
the Roman church. Temporarily it granted
to the legate the protection of the fortress,
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 57

which was indispensable to the success of his
cause,

Such are the express stipulations of the
treaty concluded in 1355 between the Holy
See and the Counts Nolfo and Feltrano of
Montefeltro, in their own names and in that
of their brother Arrigo. The rights of the
Titanic commune received a new acknowl-
edgment, for when the keys of cities, cha-
teaux, and fortresses were laid at the feet
of the Pope, those of the free state of San
Marino were not among them.

A money dispute raised shortly after-
wards by Claro Peruzzi, the new bishop of
Montefeltro, was at once suppressed by the
legate, who, claiming to be a creditor of the
bishop, forbade the republic from ever paying
dues to the episcopal revenues. Although
the doors now seemed to be definitely closed
against conflicts and deceptions, yet San Ma-
rino had to submit till the end of the four-
teenth century to many trials, in which, fort-
unately, its rights always prevailed.
58 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

The wisdom of Pope Urban V. recognized
still more positively certain rights long and
fiercely contested. In the statistical table
of the pontifical domain, carefully prepared
by Angelico, brother of the Pontiff, vicar-
general of the Apostolic See, and governor
of the Romagna, no mention is made of any
right to the commune of San Marino. This
table, still preserved in the archives of the
fortress of Saint Angelo, contains a full list
of the territories dependent upon the Holy
See, their population, strength, and revenue.
As to San Marino, it is confined to a state-
ment of the regular exercise of the powers
delegated and the laws voted by the general
assembly of a people electing its own magis-
trates, laying its taxes, and raising its armed
forces under this independent device: Com-
mune forta, Lbertas.,

Towards the end of the century, in 1735,
Bishop Claro busied himself in plotting new
schemes against the liberty of the little na-
tion, in which he had unfortunately succeed-
ed in finding accomplices. A conspiracy was
discovered, and immediately subdued by the
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 59

execution of the chief culprit, Pelizzaro. The
two magistrates whose vigilance saved the
country were the Captains Giovanni di Ri-
guccio and Gozio di Mucciolini. To them
was decreed the first noble title of the state
of San Marino, which pronounced them lords,
without, however, establishing by any privi-
lege the creation of a distinct class.

An attempt upon: the republic by Bishop
Benedetto and Pope Boniface IX. failed in
consequence of its resolution to repel any
interference on the part of the Holy See and
the Bishops of Montefeltro in the manage-
ment of its affairs.
CHAPTER VIII.

THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

Subjection of Italy. — Dawn of the sixteenth century. — First
historic documents. — The doctrine of John Huss penetrates
Italy.— A papal bull establishes the independence of San Ma-
rino. — Death of Sigismond Malatesta. — Peace assured by the
reconciliation of two families. — New territorial acquisitions. —
Benefits of peace. — A new code. — Proclamation of a repub-
lican government.

THE persistence with which so many vio-
lent aggressions, so many perfidious surprises,
were repeated against this handful of men
may seem astonishing; but if one reflects
upon the state of war in Italy in the four-
teenth century, and studies in the general
history of the peninsula the characteristic
features of the intestine strife which existed
throughout the whole extent of its territory,
enrolling under one or another of the rival
factions cities, towns, and castles, and per-
petuating itself from generation to genera-
tion, more like a vendetta rooted in family
hatred than a political war, it may be easily
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 61

understood that the numerous treaties of
peace which followed each other during this
period, between the people of San Marino
and the Bishops of Montefeltro, were but
truces designed to prevent an exhaustion of
forces and resources. Without being duped
by these treaties, the republic accepted them
at times as a means of taking breath, and to
determine during some days of repose the
course necessary for the defence of its lib-
erties.

One of the consequences of the state of
war which ended at the beginning of the
fifteenth century was a sort of moral depres-
sion, resulting from the sudden transition
from the armed period to the phase of tran-
quillity.

Apparently resigned to the subjection
which the fourteenth century had consum-
mated, the Italians began to have a glimpse
of the dawn of a brilliant day. The poetic
and philosophical splendor of the sixteenth
century was already anticipated, and filled
with gentle hopes a people from whom lib-
erty seemed forever carried away.
62 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

The alliance of San Marino with the fam-
ily of Montefeltro derived new strength from
events. The spectacle of territories cruelly
enslaved, was it not made to confirm free-
men in the love of liberty, and to show them
the advantages of political faith over the
crafty schemes of ambition? Protected by
a treaty of peace against the attacks of the
Malatestas, the Counts of Urbino did not
for a moment think of abandoning their alli-
ance with their friends of Mount Titanus.

Besides, certain documents of that period
prove that amicable relations with the inhab-
itants of Mount Titanus were held in high
esteem, and the Counts of Montefeltro, ad-
mitting even that self-interest guided their
conduct, did not wish to forget the precious
aid their faithful allies had rendered and
might again render them.

In the fifteenth century dates the publi-
cation of the first historical documents con-
cerning the state of San Marino, of which
some learned writers had begun to extol the
glorious independence. Communications ad-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 63

dressed to the inhabitants by the lords of
Rimini and of Forli serve to indicate the
esteem inspired by the position of the val-
iant little nation.

A new scourge threatened Italy: the doc-
trines of Wickliffe and of John Huss had al-
ready penetrated into the heart of the state,
and rallied partisans resolved to satiate their
hatreds with blood.

Preserved from this danger by the purity
of its doctrine, the community of San Ma-
rino could observe the new contest without
much alarm. A bull of Pope Martin V.
having definitively granted to it the right of
electing its magistrates and of making its
laws, the good understanding with the Holy
See was considered settled.

The old germs of war between the lords of
Rimini and those of Montefeltro, the cause
of which was inseparably connected with San
Marino, still remained. This quarrel, re-
vived by the anger of Sigismond Malatesta,
led them, as well as their ally, Frederic of Ur-
64 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

bino, into an alliance with Pope Pius IT. and
Alphonso of Aragon, King of Naples (1458).
Again the horrors of war desolated the plains
of the Romagna, and subjected the inhabit-
ants of Mount Titanus to painful sacrifices
of men and money. The warlike genius of
Sigismond began to render doubtful the issue
of this long contest, when his death, inter-
rupting the work of blood which he had
undertaken, not only assured a temporary
peace, but sealed a durable alliance between
the two rival families by the marriage of the
daughter of Count Frederic with Robert
Malatesta, only son of Sigismond.

This wise resolution of a prince famed for
his pacific character terminated in an un-
looked-for manner a long series of human
massacres. Wedding ceremonies of great
magnificence brought the new allies to
Rimini, and among the precious presents
exchanged between the two families ap-
pears, in the annals of the day, the promise
of a close friendship made by the citizens
of Mount Titanus, renowned as warriors
throughout the Italian provinces.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 65

Treaties of alliance contracted with the
Holy See, the King of Naples, the republic
of Florence, and the lords of Forli guaran-
teed thenceforth the complete independence
of San Marino.

The territories of Mongiardino, of Serra-
valle, and of Fiorentino, given by the Pope
as a pecuniary compensation for expenses
incurred by the war with Sigismond, in-
creased the population and influence of the
Titanic colony, upon which the blessing of
its founder seemed to be perpetuated.

The benefits of a sincere peace were not
long in developing in the colony a taste for
refined manners and the cultivation of letters,
which soon became an actual passion. Re-
lieved, little by little, from the dangerous
surprises of military glory, the intelligent
little state applied its efforts to the adapta-
tion of its laws to the progress of civilization.
In 1491 began the studies of the learned
jurists Belluzzi, Lunardini, and Calcigni, and
as soon as their labors permitted, a code

suited to the spirit of the age was substi-
® }
66 . THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

tuted for old traditions. The state of San
Marino, definitively assured of its independ-
ence, was, by virtue of a decision of the
Grand Council, proclaimed by the name of
“republic,” which it had not before taken in
its public acts.

From this period dates also the suppression
in the civic oath of the ancient clause mak-
ing it obligatory to take arms against the
enemies of the Roman church. Any appeal
for foreign aid was punishable with death
and confiscation of property; and the ces-
sion of land within the republic to a foreign
lord was interdicted.

There should be added to these reforms
the obligation of paying conjointly the debts
of the state by a proportional division, and
the order given to magistrates to be umpires
of disputes before being their judges. Useful
modifications in the election of captains and
repressive measures against incumbents of
office who failed to be present at public de-
liberations were also decreed in the statutes,
—a model of political wisdom in the midst
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 67

of monuments of oppression, which else-
where took the place of laws. It was to the
preparation of this code that a citizen of San
Marino, the learned Calcigni, owed the title
of count, awarded for the first time as an
honorary recompense.
CHAPTER IX.
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

Prospect of an era of peace. — Elevation of Borgia. — Cardinal
Cesar Borgia, released from his vows, is created Duke of Valen-
tinois. — The policy of Louis XII. — His rights upon Milan and
the two Sicilies. — Alliance with the Borgias. — Invasion of the
Romagna. — Heroic defence of Catherine Sforza. — Pacific
protestations. — Invasion of the duchy by treason. — Diplomacy
of the republic. — Presents to the Pope and an embassy to Ven-
ice.— Venice refuses « protectorate. — Mount Titanus pre-
pares for resistance.

Arter having definitively established the
republic, codified its ancient usages, abolished
the oath to bear arms against any one who
should attack the Roman church, the citi-
zens of Mount Titanus might reasonably
hope to enjoy a peace acquired at the cost
of such sacrifices.

Their perseverance in good works, their
energy in adversity, their manly love of lib-
erty, the scrupulous loyalty with which they
had kept their engagements, their immova-
ble fidelity to their obligations, their tenacity,
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 69

and their valor: inspired the respect and es-
teem even of their enemies.

Thus the inhabitants of San Marino had
passed through the thirteenth, fourteenth,
and fifteenth centuries, witnesses of the ter-
rible wars which had ravaged Italy, with no
curtailment of their freedom, and without
having compromised the principles which
governed them.

To the prudence and wisdom of the Sover-
eign Council they owed the powerful friend-
ship of the Counts of Montefeltro, Dukes of
Urbino, ancient enemies of whom they had
made allies. Thanks to their good conduct
and their loyalty, they had formed with that
powerful family ties of interest, a guaranty of
mutual independence, and a formidable pro-
tection against the attacks of their enemies.

Such, at the beginning of the sixteenth
century, was the situation of the Titanic re-
public, consolidating its institutions at the
moment even when Italy, always a prey to
intestine dissensions, was witnessing the dis-
70 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

appearance of the last vestiges of its munici-
pal liberties.

The brave inhabitants of Mount Titanus
had every reason to hope for an era of pros-
perity, when the elevation of the Borgia to
the throne of Saint Peter exposed them to
new dangers.

The history of the Popes at this period is
too well known to be enlarged upon. Rome
soon felt that she had a master; scarcely in
possession of the tiara, Alexander VI. re-
solved to conquer a crown for his son Cesar,
relieved from his ecclesiastical vows, and
ereated Duke of Valentinois by the King of
France.

The duchy of Urbino, the march of An-
cona, the principality of Rimini, and the Ro-
magna were strong temptations to the new
prince, and never were circumstances more fa-
vorable for the accomplishment of his wishes.

Florence, Genoa, Siena, Lucca, Lombardy,
and, more correctly speaking, all Italy had at
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. ‘T1

that time but the shadow of liberty. Venice
itself, to preserve its commercial power, had
been obliged to sacrifice its ancient rights.
Mount Titanus alone remained the asylum of
liberty, which had taken refuge in this eagle’s
nest.

What was necessary for the success of the
Duke of Valentinois ? To call a foreigner into
Italy, — an undertaking so much the easier
because the policy of Louis XII. was entirely
in harmony with the secret views of the Pope.

The King of France, upon mounting the
throne, had boldly declared his intention to
reclaim his rights in the duchy of Milan,
the two Sicilies, and Jerusalem ; there was,
therefore, between the interest of one and
the ambition of the other a sufficient connec-
tion to furnish the basis of an alliance. A se-
cret treaty was concluded between the two
princes, and when the French army entered
Milan, the Duke of Valentinois, at the head
of a numerous force, in which were three
hundred French lancers and four thousand
Swiss, under the orders of the Bailiff of Dijon,
72 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

suddenly penetrated the Romagna. Iuxola,
besieged, could not long resist, and was
obliged to capitulate.

The heroic Catherine Sforza kept the en-
emy along time before Forli. The citadel
at last surrendered. The Malatestas and
the Sforzas had barely time to escape from
Rimini and Pesaro, and to gain the state
of Venice.

San Marino and the Duke of Urbino, con-
fident in the strength of their arms, as well
as in the love of their subjects, alone re-
mained, face to face with the new conqueror.
The Valentinois had no intention of attacking
states which he expected soon to acquire by
craft. Fearing an uprising of the indignant
inhabitants of the Romagna, he thought only
of securing forgiveness for his conquests.
After having freed himself from the men of
power who might excite trouble and revolts,
he suddenly feigned an ardent love of justice,
a violent desire to secure peace and to calm
all anxieties.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. ‘73

As soon as he was reassured in regard to
the alarms that he had apprehended, Cesar
Borgia applied himself especially to cireum-
vent Duke Guidobaldo of Urbino, and to
overwhelm him, as well as the Republic of
San Marino, with protestations of friendship.
After being satisfied that the good duke was
free from distrust, and, so to speak, without
means of defence, he seized an occasion that
the execution of a papal judgment against
the Lord of Camerino offered to him to ad-
vance to the frontier of Perugia, and invade
the duchy of Urbino. He at once took pos-
session of Cagli, one of the four fortified cities
of the duchy, and the too confiding Guido-
baldo owed his safety to the vigilance of the
inhabitants of Mount Titanus, who were sea-
sonably informed of the dangers he was run-
ning. Disguised as a peasant, the heir of
Montefeltro reached Ravenna, then Mantua,
and from there fled to Venice, where his
grandson, Francesco della Rovere, Prefect of
Rome and Lord of Sinigaglia, obliged to fly
from the presence of other sbirros, promptly
came to join him.
74. THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

San Leo and Majolo were the only for-
tresses which resisted, and remained faithful
to the house of Montefeltro.

Again the republic had done its duty. It
had offered the support of its arms to its ally
and protector; upon his refusal to drag it
into a useless strife, it had at least the satis-
faction of securing his flight.

But its energetic attitude, while command-
ing the respect of the enemy, caused new
dangers. Therefore the authorities, well ad-
vised, sent magnificent presents to the Pope,
and at the same time dispatched ambassadors
to the most serene seigniory of Venice.

The Pope was very appreciative of the del-
icate attention of the republic, but did not
grant to it a guaranty for the future. Fort-
unately, new embarrassments arose, which
forced Cesar Borgia to renounce for the
present the pursuit of conquests.

The refusal of Venice to accept the protect-
orate of San Marino, far from discouraging
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. ‘15

the inhabitants, gave a new energy to them.
Placed in an impregnable position, reduced to
a dependence upon themselves alone, they
put their fortifications in a state of protection
against ambuscades, and prepared to defend
themselves against any sudden attack.

It was owing to their defences that the
people of San Marino again escaped the yoke
of a foreigner, and preserved intact the in-
dependence which they came near alienating,
in part, to the powerful republic of Venice.
CHAPTER X.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Revolt of the inhabitants of the Romagna. — The Duke of Urbino
recalled by his subjects. — Treaty of peace. — Installation of a
podestat in the name of Cesar Borgia. — Mount Titanus gives
the signal of a revolt. — General rising of the Romagna and of
the state of Montefeltro. — A bloody contest till the death of
Alexander VI.— The Valentinois, conquered, takes refuge
among his enemies. — He goes to Spain, and dies in Catalonia.

Cmsar Boreta did not long enjoy the tran-
quillity necessary for completing his work.
The inhabitants of the Romagna, exasperated
by his exactions and those of his followers,
again rebelled, and the subjects of the Duke
of Urbino took advantage of the diversion
to recall the beloved heir of Montefeltro.
Threotened on every side, fearing to scatter
his forces, obliged to face the increasing re-
volt, the usurper consented to treat with
Guidobaldo, feeling sure of recovering his
prey at a later period. An agreement was
entered into between the Valentinois and the
Duke of Urbino, by which the latter retained
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. ‘4%

the fortresses of San Leo, of Saint Agatha,
and of Majolo, and the protection of San Ma-
rino. Guidobaldo, touched by the zeal and
constant friendship of the citizens of Mount
Titanus, intended to save the republic by his
protection ; but by one of the clauses of the
treaty, Ceesar Borgia reserved the right to
govern at his pleasure in each of the places
named. This clause, giving him the lion’s
share, might at any moment create new dan-
gers, and become to the inhabitants of San
Marino a sword of Damocles.

They submitted to it, however, thinking it
wiser to run the risk of a remote danger than
to engage in an immediate contest to avert
it. In virtue of the agreement, a podestat
was invested with the magistracy of Mount
Titanus, in the name of Cesar Borgia, as is
stated in the Book of Decrees of the year
1503; but the power of this magistrate was
made nominal by the patriotic wisdom of the
inhabitants, who were determined to afford
him no pretext for interfering in their affairs.

The threatening storm began soon to an-
78 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

nounce its approach. The Valentinois was
more and more detested. At the first signal,
without waiting for a general rising of the
inhabitants of the Romagna and of the sub-
jects of Urbino, the citizens of Mount Tita-
nus, hoisting the old standard of independ-
ence, drove away in disgrace the delegates of
Cesar. Following their example, the other
oppressed people took courage, and ran to
arms. A fearful contest then began on all
sides against the usurper.

Not content with having personally re-
gained their liberty, the Titanians, knowing
that a mutual interest existed between them-
selves and their neighbors, kept up the con-
test at great cost, to aid in securing their
safety. The sons of the republic, who were
sent as auxiliaries to the army of the coali-
tion, fought bravely, and excited the admi-
ration of the confederates. They reminded
them, by their valor, their self-denial, and
their contempt of danger, of the austere and
courageous legion of Saint Maurice.

In the midst of these lords and princes
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 79

fighting for the maintenance of their fiefs,
that is to say, pro ara et focis, the citizens of
Mount Titanus did not forget that they were
sons of a free people. After the capture of
Longiano from the troops of Cesar Borgia,
Marino Giangi, chief of the San Marino
legion, in announcing their success, requested
the captains of the republic to send to him
the’ banner of the country, to prevent the
consummation of a victory under a foreign
standard.

This frightful struggle, related by all the
historians of the period, continued until the
death of Alexander VI., which weakened the
power of his son.

Shortly after, the Duke of Valentinois
found himself obliged —a just retribution
—to seek refuge among his enemies. He
then succeeded in reaching Spain, and died
at Viana, in Catalonia, in a certain sense a
prisoner, leaving a name condemned to the
execration of ages.

Salutary example, to the peoples and
80 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

powers of the land, of the triumph of right
over force and treachery !

The inhabitants of San Marino could now
breathe again; and the fortunate events we
are about to narrate, and by which with their
usual wisdom they profited, enabled them to
establish their independence upon bases more
and more solid.
CHAPTER XI.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Exaltation of Julius II. — Francesco della Rovere and the succes-
sion of the duchy of Urbino. — Necessity of embroiling the
Republic of San Marino with that of Venice. — Secret projects
of Julius II. — Death and funeral of Guidobaldo. — Elevation
of Francesco della Rovere.— His protestation of friendship
for the republic. — Secret emissaries. — Embassy to Rome, —
A papal brief confirms the independence of the republic. —
Death of Julius IT.

Arter the pontificate of Peter IIL, which
lasted but a few days, Julius II., of the house
of Rovere, was made Pope.

He was a bold man, of commanding pres-
ence, and very pugnacious. He took pleas-
ure in hearing the clash of lances; he loved
the noise of musketry and cannon; and, if
need be, buckling on his armor, he entered
in triumph through the breach of conquered
cities. Desirous of enlarging the temporal
power of the Popes and of opposing a bar-
rier to the encroachments of the seigniory of,

Venice, he also wished to protect his nephew,
6
82 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

Francesco della Rovere, whom we have seen
forced to leave Rome, and to seek an asylum
in Venice. The first care of Julius I. was to
obtain a guaranty to his relative of the le-
gitimate succession of the duchy. He had
seen with indignation Rodolfo Malatesta,
hated by his subjects, and fearing his ability
to keep them in subjection, sell his principal-
ity to the republic of Venice, in contempt of
the pretended rights of the Holy See.

It was indeed an act of baseness. Owing
to this cession, the Venetians threatened the
marches and other states of the church. It
therefore became necessary to organize and
reconstruct the duchy of Urbino, in order to
protect the pontifical domain against aggres-
sion. For this purpose it was essential to se-
cure the friendship of the citizens of Mount
Titanus, and to sow the seeds of discord be-
tween them and the republic of Venice.

Like his predecessors, Julius II. cherished
the hope of some day bringing the Ro-
magna under subjection ; but instead of as-
suming the attitude of a tyrant, he excited
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 88

against the Bentivoglio, the Batiglioni, and
other lords the hatred of their subjects and
neighbors, and in that way tried to diminish.
their power.

Understanding the importance that the
fortress of Mount Titanus might have in case
of war, forming, as it did, a rampart in the
midst of the territories he had conquered,
Julius IL. set himself at work to prejudice the
Titanians against the Venetians. He tried to
persuade them that Venice had refused aid
and protection in the war against the Borgia
only with the hope of ultimately gaining pos-
session of the mountain, after having acquired
Rimini.

It is certain that if the Pontiff had suc-
ceeded in drawing the Republic of San Ma-
rino and the duchy of Urbino into a league
against Venice, he could easily have taken
possession of the principality of Rimini, but
the brave and worthy Duke Guidobaldo,
who, fortunately, was still living, had no diffi-
culty in making the wise citizens of Mount
Titanus understand that these suggestions
84 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

were improbable, and that the Venetians, far
from wishing to increase their territorial pos-
sessions, sought rather to preserve them, and
to secure harmony in the immense domains
under their government.

This was the last advice of their wise ally.
His death was a public grief for his own sub-
jects as well as for his allies of San Marino.
In order to do honor to the memory of one
who had always been their friend and coun-
sellor, the captains delegated eight deputies
to be present at the splendid funeral ceremo-
nies that his people prepared for him. The
envoys were, at the same time, instructed to
congratulate, in the name of the republic,
Francesco della Rovere, heir of the title and
domains of Urbino. The dearest wish of Ju-
lius Il. was now accomplished. It was at this
period that the duchy of Urbino saw growing
up, and unmindful of civil wars, the sublime
child who was to become the divine Raphael.

The new duke, in taking the crown, seemed
also to have inherited the virtues of the name
of Montefeltro. He received magnificently
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 85

the envoys, and openly manifested sentiments
of predilection and friendship for the citizens
of San Marino. In witness of his intentions,
he charged the delegates to hand to the cap-
tains of the republic a letter, in which he
assured them of his good friendship. “De-
sirous,” he wrote, “of never deviating from
the ancient and consecrated usages of the
illustrious family to which I am proud to be-
long, and of imitating the virtues of my
ancestors, I shall be, like them, prompt and
vigilant for the interests and preservation of
your dear liberty, for the support of which
you will find me always ready to fly.”

These protestations of friendship were, as
will be soon seen, but idle declamations, in-
tended to lull the vigilance of the people of
San Marino, and to abandon them without de-
fence to the snares of the papacy.

Julius II, pursuing his design against
Venice, made the duchy of his nephew the
arsenal of his preparations for war. At the
same time he sent to San Marino secret emis-
saries, instructed to spread the rumor that
86 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

the Venetians were concentrating formidable
forces at Rimini, with the intention of in-
vading Mount Titanus and the duchy of Ur-
bino. This ruse was intended to force the
inhabitants of San Marino from their neu-
trality. Its success was complete, and an
embassy was sent to Rome to ask the protec-
tion of the Pontiff, and to remind him of the
ancient friendship which united the republic
to the family of Montefeltro.

Francesco della Rovere, pretending to be-
lieve in the dangers that his allies were in-
curring, interceded with his uncle to support
with his influence the prayer of the people of
San Marino. He remarked to the Holy Fa-
ther that the enemy of tyrants —for so he
liked to be called — could not without injus-
tice abandon the descendants of the pious Ma-
rinus. He went so far as to recall to his
memory that the inhabitants of Mount Ti-
tanus were the first to send an embassy to
bear their congratulations to the sovereign
Pontiff at the time of his exaltation.

The honesty of the citizens of Mount Ti-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 87

tanus did not suspect the deceits practised
upon them to deliver them to their protect-
ors, in consequence of the alarms that were
created upon the subject of the Venetians,
from whom they really had nothing to fear.
Julius IL, enchanted at the success of his
policy, and seeing the time arrive for the
little state to enter into some engagements
with him, appeared to yield with sufficient-
ly good grace to the proper request of the
envoys and to the intercession of his dear
nephew. On the 31st of March, 1509, he
addressed to the citizens of Mount Titanus a
brief, in which he expressed to them his kind
feelings.

The substance of the brief was that he
had taken into consideration their fears of
receiving injury from the Venetians, accord-
ing to rumor circulated in the province, and
he thought their liberty was in peril, although
neither they nor the church had given cause
of offence; that now they could rest firm and
tranquil, for, thanks to Heaven, the forces of
Rome were not so small that they could not
defend the church and its children; that he
88 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

engaged to protect their territory; that in
his wisdom he had resolved and ordered that
nothing should be left undone, on his part, to
preserve it. Then he exhorted them to con-
sider that nothing was more useful or more
peaceful to a people than its liberty and the
protection of the holy Roman church.

The Pope and his nephew conducted the
campaign with great skill. The inhabitants
of Mount Titanus were now placed under the
protectorate of the Holy See, and could not,
if such had been their intention, enter into
any agreement with Venice.

As a compensation, the little republic de-
rived from this negotiation the precious ad-
vantage of a new recognition of its rights by
the head of the Christian church, at a time
when some eminent men of Italy were again
contesting its autonomy and independence.

And it was not long in affirming its rights
of sovereignty; the Duke Francesco della
Rovere having written to the captains to
keep under a strong guard, till he ordered
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 89

otherwise, several neutrals who had taken
refuge at San Marino, the council replied to
him that the citizens of the republic would
die sooner than forfeit their faith and their
honor.

The reply was energetic, and the handful
of freemen deserved the more merit for their
courage because Julius II., victorious in the
war against the Venetians, had just incorpo-
rated Rimini into his domains,

But Duke Francesco, like a brave man, ap-
preciating the indignation and loyalty of his
old allies, did not insist upon his demand,
and continued to bestow upon them his kind
offices, till the death of Julius II., which took
place February 20, 1513.
CHAPTER XII.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Exaltation of Leo X. — Pompous display at his coronation. — Ne-
cessity of new resources. — The papacy and family interests. —
The duchy of Urbino selected as fief for Julian de’ Medici. —
The Duke of Montefeltro refuses to abandon his rights. — Leo
X. excommunicates him. — Generosity of the republic. — The
duke abandons his states. —New usurpation.— San Marino
resists the Pontiff.

Porr Lzo X., the successor of Julius II.
wished his coronation to be the occasion of an
unusual. display of pomp and magnificence.
The Duke of Urbino, Lord of Pesaro, was
conspicuous in the retinue of princes assem-
bled from all parts, and the pageantry of these
crowned courtiers made more prominent the
austere simplicity of the envoys of San Ma-
rino.

The new Pope, an enthusiastic patron of
letters and arts, was obliged, in order to main-
tain the magnificence of his court, to seek
new resources, and especially endowments
for the princes of his family.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 91

Abandoned to the horrors of civil war,
Italy saw disappear by degrees the last ves-
tiges of municipal independence. Leo de’ Me-
dici, a descendant of the rich merchants of the
republic of Florence, wished that his brother
and his nephews should become princes.

Although fiefs and: principalities were not
wanting in Italy, he made choice of the
duchy of Urbino to constitute the domains
of his brother, Julian de’ Medici. This act,
designed to assert his authority, was in real-
ity a proof of ingratitude towards Francesco
della Rovere, who had many times given an
asylum to the family of the Medici, and es-
pecially to Julian.

Every imaginable attempt was made to
persuade the nephew of Julius II. and his
wife, Elizabeth of Montefeltro, to renounce
their rights. In vain the coarsest artifice was
resorted to; in vain the basest calumnies
were circulated ; the duke was inflexible.

The Pope, in his exasperation, determined
to crush Francesco della Rovere by the thun-
92 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ders of his spiritual powers. After launch-
ing a warning against him, he was obliged to
have recourse to spiritual and temporal ex-
communication, carrying with it privation of
all civil rights, and consequently the confis-
cation of his states and domains.

At this news, the inhabitants of San Ma-
rino, moved by a sentiment of gratitude to-
wards their old ally, dispatched deputies to
him at Pesaro, whither he had fled, with an
offer of all the gold in the possession of the
little republic. Thanks to the order and
economy which ruled in the management of
its affairs it was sufficiently rich to pay a
royal ransom and to satisfy the requirements
of the Pope.

Francesco della Rovere was touched by
this generous offer, and had great difficulty in
rejecting it, while making his friends under-
stand the uselessness of their efforts. Per-
fectly enlightened upon the views of Leo X.,
he advised them to be prudent and circum-
spect, and to preserve a strict neutrality in
this quarrel, if they did not wish to com-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 93

promise the independence of their country.
The honest man, after having given the wise
counsel to treat the Holy See with considera-
tion and to live in harmony with their neigh-
bors, departed, feeling sure of a speedy return
and of the triumph of his rights.

The brother of Leo X. did not long enjoy
this spoliation. At his death Lorenzo de’ Me-
dici took possession of the duchy of Urbino,
which was occupied, together with all the
lands belonging to the ancient house of Mon-
tefeltro, by the pontifical troops. The new
usurper, desirous of securing the neutrality
of the people of San Marino, thought it was
wise policy to adopt towards them the usages
of the despoiled family, and to overwhelm
them with kindness. Letters from Leo X.
and from his nephew express in very flat-
tering terms their friendship for the repub-
lic, which by its dignity and its attitude still
preserved the esteem of Francesco della Ro-
vere.

This friendship was not of long duration.
During the war which resulted from these
94 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

events, San Marino became the general mag-
azine of the pontifical troops. The exactions
of the soldiery were intolerable, and in spite
of the courteous protestations of the princes
the republic regretted not having openly
declared itself in favor of Francesco della
Rovere against the Medici. However violent
might have been their anger, it could not
have been more costly than their friend-
ship.

After the capture of Pesaro and San Leo,
— which were surrendered by the treachery
of the chiefs who defended them, — Leo X.
wished to force the inhabitants of Mount
Titanus to join him in his vengeance against
the vanquished. They rejected the demand
of the Pontiff, to whom they did not fear, in
the name of religion and humanity, to com-
mend the inhabitants of San Leo, who were
guilty of remaining faithful to their legiti-
mate prince.

They openly declared their readiness to
offer to the fugitives an inviolable protection
behind their walls.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 965

Language so noble and bold astonished
Leo X., but the firm bearing of the Titanic
people awed him, and he thought it wise to
suspend the blows which he intended to in-
flict upon the rebels.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Unsuccessful attempt of Duke Francesco. — The library of Duke
Frederic. — Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici. — Efforts of Leo X.
to transfer to Cardinal Julius de’ Medici the rights of the Duke
of Montefeltro.— His death interrupts his plans. — Pontifical
court of Adrian. — His efforts in favor of Francesco. — Ascen-
sion of Clement VII.— Abandonment of the fortresses Ma-
jolo and San Leo. — The Duke of Urbino restored to his do-
mains. — The legate Francesco Guicciardini. — Prudent advice.
— Defensive measures. — Death of Francesco della Rovere. —
His obsequies. — Secret wish of Paul III.— Nocturnal attack
of June 4, 1542, and its defeat.

Notwirusranpine the papal excommunica-
tion, Francesco della Rovere, having faith in
the love of his subjects, was not long in
taking the offensive. His first success was
brilliant, but owing to the want of resources
corresponding to the efforts of his military
genius, he soon abandoned the contest, in
order to avoid bringing new sufferings upon
the population of the duchy. The grief of
the inhabitants of San Marino, exhausted
and unable to aid their old defender {under
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 97

these painful circumstances, may be imag-
ined.

Yet this bold expedition was not wholly
lost. Francesco della Rovere, extravagantly
fond of literature, was able to preserve from
the hands of the invaders of his states the
precious library formed by his maternal
grandfather, Duke Frederic. This library,
celebrated throughout Italy, had an inesti-
mable value to the unhappy exile. On his
way to Mantua he went to Mount Titanus,
to rest for a short time among his faithful
friends. Touched by their reception, and at
the same time moved by the patriarchal sim-
plicity of their manners, he received conso-
lations soothing to the heart of an outlaw.
His confidence in the triumph of his rights
this time became a certainty.

Shortly afterwards Lorenzo de’ Medici died,
without leaving a male heir; and in spite of
the efforts of Leo X. to entail upon Cardinal
Julius de’ Medici or the republic of Florence
the rights of the Duke of Montefeltro, the

duchy of Urbino felt certain that the return
7
98 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

of its ancient masters was only a question of
time. The speedy death of Leo X. justified
these hopes.

Pope Adrian, in order to remedy the evil
which his predecessor had caused, used every
effort to facilitate the restoration of Fran-
cesco della Rovere to his rights. His reign,
unfortunately, was not of long duration, and
soon Julius de’ Medici succeeded him, under
the name of Clement VII.

This worthy descendant of the Medici, far
from belying his origin, put in practice the
famous motto, “ Divide to reign.” But the
inhabitants of Mount Titanus, rendered pru-
dent by the troubles which desolated the
states of Rome and the possessions of the
Florentines in their vicinity, awaited the
solution of new difficulties. The Pope and
the Florentines, overmatched by popular re-
sistance, soon abandoned the fortresses of
Majolo and San Leo, which they were then
holding, and the Duke of Urbino was able to
recover the possession of his domains. The
inhabitants of San Marino, to preserve their
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 99

neutrality, were obliged to furnish subsidies
to the Pope and a reénforcement of men for
the defence of Rimini.

The Italian Thucydides, Francesco Guic-
ciardini, governed the Romagna at this pe-
riod, in the name of the Holy See. The
people of Mount Titanus, having little faith
in the attentions and caresses of this neigh-
bor, were put on the alert by the Duke of
Urbino, and enlightened by his private ad-
vice upon the crafty policy of Clement VII.
They took care to increase their means of
defence by fortifying especially the passages
which led to San Marino. It was well for
them to keep in mind the danger of a sud-
den attack, for in the midst of these armies,
greedy for pillage and blood, which devas-
tated Italy and profaned even Rome by their
excesses, the inaccessibility of Mount Tita-
nus and the bravery of its defenders were
the only safeguard of the free little colony
against their depredations.

The winds of discord throughout Italy had
acquired such force that the death of Clement
100 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

VII. and the pacific ideas of his successor,
Paul IIL, could not restore tranquillity to
the provinces which had been abandoned to
the horrors of brutal conquest.

Soon after this period, the old Duke Fran-
cesco, worn out by so much strife, descended
into the tomb. Guidobaldo, his son, suc-
ceeded him, and wished that at the funeral
services of his venerated father the deputies
of San Marino should walk immediately after
him, —a touching affirmation of the union
existing between the heirs of Montefeltro
and the Titanic republic.

Peace upon a durable basis seemed this
time assured ; but however devoted Paul III.
might have been to the spiritual interests of
the church, he could not renounce the same
family love that his predecessors had man-
ifested, and soon coveted for his son Lewis
a princely position, The republic having.
especially excited his envy, he directed his
blows against it.

During the night of June 4, 1542, at a
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 101

time when nothing foretold an attack or a
quarrel, the inhabitants of Mount Titanus
holding the most cordial relations with the
Holy See, Fabianus de Monte, nephew of
the cardinal of that name, and legate in Ro-
magna, climbed the heights of the mountain.
He was supported by five hundred foot sol-
diers and some horsemen, was furnished with
scaling ladders, and felt certain of surprising
the defenders of the citadel, asleep and help-
less.

Either the guides having charge of the
nocturnal expedition were not well ac-
quainted with the passages, or a disagree-
ment arose among the chiefs; at any rate,
the different bands of assailants did not meet
at the hour agreed upon to make the attack.
The noise they made in rallying caused a dog
to bark, which, like the geese at the capitol
in ancient days, gave warning to the citizens.
At a signal from the alarm bell, the popula-
tion was soon on foot, the ramparts were
covered with armed soldiers, and the captains
with energy took the necessary measures to

v
102 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

repulse the enemy. The soldiers of Fabianus,
ashamed at being detected, and intimidated
by the attitude of the valiant people, beat a
retreat and disappeared.
CHAPTER XIV.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Efforts of the inhabitants of San Marino to discover the authors
of the treason.— Charles V. joins his protest with those of
Venice and of the Dukes of Florence and Urbino. — Venice
promises support to the republic.— Public mission and secret
instructions of the Marquis de Grasciales, ambassador of Charles
V.— Offers of a protectorate to the republic. — Wise decision
of the inhabitants. — Armed demonstration of the new allies.
— Peace assured by the marriage of the Duke Guidobaldo toa
niece of the Pope. — Last attempts at fiscal exactions. — Paul
IIL. disavows the acts of his agents, and guarantees forever the
independence of the republic.

Tus act of treason excited a lively indig-
nation in Italy. The inhabitants of San
Marino denounced it before the princes, and
sought to discover the promoter of an attack
so disloyal. Charles V.,at that time in Italy,
joined his indignant protestations with those
of the seigniory of Venice, the Duke of Flor-
ence, and the Duke of Urbino, and all mani-
fested openly their sympathy for the little
state and their desire to search for the insti-
gator of the treason plotted against it. The
104. THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

result of their investigations furnished abun-
dant proof of the participation of the Duke
of Castro, and of the Strozzi, agents of
Francis I., in this affray, secretly planned at
Forlimpopoli and at Rimini.

Some have expressed the opinion that the
wisdom and prosperity of the little republic
excited against it the animosity of the Cath-
olic princes.

The restricted resources and territory of
the Titanic republic did not leave it open to
the least suspicion of liberal propagandism
in Italy; but what the warlike adventurers
feared and envied was the solidity of the
walls and the impregnable position of the
citadel. It was an eagle’s nest, wonderfully
adapted to the protection of birds of prey,
who from on high might seize the Romagna,
the principality of Rimini, and the duchy of
Urbino, and take refuge there with their
booty without fear of reprisals.

This bold act of felony attempted on the
night of June 4th was probably one of those
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 105

adventurous attacks which belonged to the
period and were often successful.

The Titanic people, now put on their guard,
and fearing a renewal of the attempt, sent
deputies to Venice, which this time deigned
to promise the support of its forces and its
influence.

On the other hand, Charles V., glad to
thwart the Roman purple and to interfere in
the internal affairs of Italy, ordered the Mar-
quis of Grasciales, his ambassador at the
Apostolic Chamber, to request the punish-
ment of the culprits. Bustamente de Herre-
ras was sent to San Marino, with full powers
to associate himself with the Venetian depu-
ties. His secret instructions were to throw
the. guilt upon Pietro Strozzi, a famous ad-
venturer in the service of Francis I, who
made him marshal of France.

At the same time the Emperor of Germany
proposed to the republic the direct protection
of his arms in exchange for certain privileges.
The inhabitants, distrustful by experience,
106 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

comprehended the danger of a guardianship
not less to be feared than that from which a
perpetual deliverance was offered to them.
Especially desirous of not offending their new
ally, they presented through the ambassador
their thanks for his courtesy and generosity ;
then they kept themselves strictly on guard,
awaiting under shelter of their ramparts the
attacks that their enemies might make upon
them.

The republic of Venice honorably fulfilled
its promise, and joined with the Duke of
Florence and the Duchess of Urbino, who
governed in the absence of. her husband, in
sending an imposing army of support to the
walls of the citadel. This warlike demon-
stration put an end to the attempts of the
adventurers who desolated the Romagna.

Fortunate events soon proved to the San
Marino people their wisdom in wishing to
be under obligation to no one for their inde-
pendence. Papal family interests, in fact,
consolidated the peace so laboriously con-
quered.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 107

Paul IIL, having given in marriage his
niece, Victoria Farnese, to Duke Guidobaldo,
the princely betrothal became the occasion
of an exchange of amicable protestations
between the republic and the Holy See.
The heir of Montefeltro received from the
ambassadors sent to the ceremony a cup in
silver gilt, upon which was engraved, in relief

the legend, Libertas perpetua reipublice Sancti
Marin.

And a little later, when the pontifical treas-
urers and agents in the Romagna wished to
renew their unjust pretensions and collect
taxes even in the territory of the republic,
the Pope, to put an end to ceaseless con-
tests, acknowledged the justice of the appeal
of its inhabitants. After having scrupulously
examined their rights, he proclaimed their
independence of the Holy See even in fiscal
matters. In order to assure the execution of
his wishes and to prevent new exactions in
the future, he went so far as to issue a brief,
in legal form, subjecting to canonical punish-
ment all agents who should transgress the
limitations of justice. A conflict caused by
108 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

the pontifical salt tax was decided in favor of
the inhabitants of San Marino, who for the
first time saw the fiscal exactions against
which they had contended produce happy
results for their liberties.
CHAPTER XV.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

New attack upon the citadel (1549).— San Marino aided by its
allies. — Defeat of Leonardo Pio. — Renewal of alliance. —
Treaty of Pesaro.— A clause of distrust.— Pope Paul III.
dies. — Is succeeded by Julius III. — His speedy death relieves
the republic of an enemy. — Reunion to the Conclave. —Im-
pudent summons in the name of the Holy See. — Resistance
decided upon. — Arbitration of the Duke of Urbino. — The Ar-
ringo refuses to pardon the culprit. — Reforms in the republic.
— Gradual decay of the institutions of Marinus. — Emigration
of men of talent weakens the republic. — A glance at the situa-
tion in the peninsula. — Its decline at the close of the sixteenth
century. — The republic seems destined to destruction. — The
famine of 1592 rouses its patriotism.— A new revision of its
statutes,

Tue example of the Duke of Castro found
an imitator. Another adventurer, Leonardo
Pio, — prompted, no doubt, by the impunity
of the first invader, — who, thanks to his
sword, had become lord of Verruchio, a
neighboring city, attempted in 1549 a new
surprise against the citadel. The Duke of
Urbino and the Count del Bagno, lord of
Montebello, seasonably notified by some cit-
izens, hastened to the defence of San Ma-
110 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

rino. The legate of the Pope in Romagna
wrote a letter of congratulation to the Ti-
tanic government, and caused a Te Deum to
be sung.

This alarm was the occasion of a renewal
of the alliance with the Duke of Urbino.
In the treaty signed at Pesaro appeared,
for the first time, a clause suggested by dis-
trust on the part of the republic. Fearing
that the excess of their gratitude to the
duke might one day become a source of
danger to their liberty, they stipulated that
for the future whoever should have recourse
to the intervention of the duke without au-
thority from the government would be con-
sidered a bad citizen. This decree of the
council was of a nature to annoy the loyal
soul of Guidobaldo, but, far from taking® of-
fence at the measure, he had the wisdom to
approve it as soon as his allies explained to
him the reasons which induced them to take
the precaution.

At the death of Paul III., which happened
soon after, Cardinal de Monte, uncle of Fa-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 111

bianus, succeeded him under the name of
Julius III. His exploits in Romagna, when
he commanded there as legate, naturally
excited fears for the future, but his speedy
death prevented any retaliations upon Mount
Titanus. ;

During the continuance of the Conclave
assembled to nominate the new Pope, the
Duke of Urbino advised the Titanic coun-
cil to redouble its vigilance, as a safeguard
against new attacks.

No surprise was, in fact, attempted; but
during the last year of the pontificate which
had just been inaugurated, the citizens of
Mount Titanus were astonished, upon awak-
ing one morning, to find a citation placarded
upon the walls, at the request of a citizen, to
appear without delay before the Pontifical
See. This interference of the court of Rome
excited, as may be imagined, the most lively
indignation of the proud community.

The council was immediately convoked,
and it was decided that each citizen should
112 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

give his advice. It was unanimously de-
termined to resist the summons, and all the
inhabitants offered their lives and their prop-
erty in defence of the country. “Let all the
citizens join me,” cried out Giovanni di Mar-
co, “and we will soon keep at bay whoever
may come to disturb the country.”

Informed of this courageous resolution,
the Sacred College abandoned the unfortu-
nate man who lent himself to the insult, and
sent him to the Duke of Urbino, who was
accepted by the republic as an arbitrator.

Either from kindness of feeling or from
fear of compromising himself with the Pope.
the duke asked the council to pardon the
criminal; but, unwilling to furnish such an
example of impunity, it decreed perpetual
banishment against the traitor, and to re-
lieve itself from any suspicion of interested
motives it placed in the hands of the duke
the amount of the confiscation resulting from
the sentence.

Greater severity and a more rigorous ap-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 113

plication of the law might have been wiser,
for more than one unlawful attack took
place to disturb the equanimity of the mag-
istrates. Annoyed by the dissensions which
frequently arose in the general council, the
citizens, although convinced that they were
caused by commendable motives, resolved to
restore the government, then consisting of
eighty-six members, to the legal number of
sixty. To eradicate the evil at its root, they
had recourse to exceptionally energetic ac-
tion; a committee was appointed by the
council, with full power to adjust all differ-
ence and to make the necessary laws. They
granted also to the supreme magistracy the
right to take severe measures against sedi-
tious persons, and, if necessary, to inflict cap,
ital punishment.

These rigorous enactments rendered pow-
erless the spirit of discord, but did not pre-
vent the swelling of the seeds of dissolution,
nor the work of Marinus from gradually
growing weaker. The Duke of Urbino was
named first honorary councillor of the repub-

lic, and the investiture of this office was con-
8
114 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ferred, after his death, upon his son, Francesco
Maria II. The laxity with which justice was
administered was one of the most alarming
symptoms of the decadence of the primitive
institutions,

Many families in which the patriotic spirit
of years of strife was hereditary by degrees
became extinct ; men of merit, whose talent
brought them out of obscurity, sought celeb-
rity in sumptuous courts; others, without ex-
pecting renown, took pleasure in the parade
of pompous titles, thinking they could thus
disguise their obscurity.

But if it was difficult to recognize the na-
tional physiognomy of the Titanic republic,
it was much more so throughout the entire
peninsula, which was given up to the most
complete intellectual and moral weakness.

A general enervation had succeeded the
spirit of enterprise, the grand capacities, the
strange outbursts of genius and of crime,
the great renovation of the human mind,
the splendid manifestations of letters and of
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 115

arts, and that constant emulation engendered
even by anarchy and popular troubles which
characterized the sixteenth century.

The authority of the government had in-
creased in proportion to this loss of energy.

The soul of Italy seemed asleep. Dark
clouds had succeeded the bright light of the
Renaissance, and it might well be asked if
the feudal yoke, with all its hardships, law-
lessness, and anarchy, and in spite of their
bloody consequences, were not preferable to
this sterile peace.

The Titanic republic did not escape this
morbid influence, and, according to a his-
torian, “negligence in the administration of
justice and want of energy in the govern-
ment insensibly weaned the citizens from a
love of country; the patriotic fasces were
loosened, the assemblies were deserted, the
council was without power, the administrative
body without forces, the reformers of laws
without energy and patriotism.”
116 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

For more than thirty years the degener-
ated people awaited, without protest and
with resigned indifference, the beneficent
laws which were to revive the work of Ma-
rinus. The little republic seemed destined
to become the prey of adventurers, when in
1592 a terrible famine fell upon it.

Public calamities sometimes produce more
effect than the efforts of wisdom. The voice
of misery is so imperious that it reduces the
most rebellious to silence, inspires the love of
brethren, quickens devotion, and revives the
spirit of mutual responsibility.

In presence of the great danger which
threatened them, the republican fraternity
resumed its empire; all the noble sentiments
were reawakened, the citizens encouraged
the magistrates, the rich offered their posses-
sions for the salvation of the poor, and soon
the old virtues and noble passions which had
made the happiness of the republic and as-
sured its independence flourished again.

The citizens, after having conquered the
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 117

scourge and aided their faithful ally, the
Duke of Urbino, adopted at last, under the
direction of the Councillor Camillo Bonelli,
statutes adapted to the necessities of their
time. This code, prepared from a well-con-
sidered collation of ancient and modern
laws, a curious monument of human inge-
nuity, was submitted to the sanction of the
people and ratified even before its proclama-
tion and printed publication, at the beginning
of the seventeenth century.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Necessity of a new revision of the laws (1602).— A serious dan-
ger in the horizon. — The Duke of Urbino advises the republic
to place itself under the protection of the Pope. — The proposi-
tion is submitted to a special commission and is approved by
the council. — Treaty of alliance with the Pope. — Reservation

. in the case of an heir to Duke. Francesco Maria II. — Ratifica-
tion of the treaty. — A providential event. — Birth of a prince
of Montefeltro. — Joy in the colony. — Stately embassy. —
Urgency of repressive laws.

Tue new code had been too hastily  pre-
pared, or was deficient in its practical charac-
ter, and a revision was found necessary.

But these palliatives were powerless to
avert a grave danger, foreseen by Francesco
Maria IL, Duke of Urbino, a wise and enlight-
ened prince, in whom the unselfish friendship
of his ancestors was fortunately perpetuated.

Fearing, in view of his already advanced
age, that he might die without an heir, the
protector of San Marinp saw in that contin-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 119

gency the dangers from combined attacks to
a people powerless to defend its liberties. To
save the last refuge open to true Christian
virtue in the midst of the corruption of the
age, he conceived the plan of placing the re-
public under the immediate and personal
protection of the sovereign Pontiff After
having privately conferred with several citi-
zens, whose wisdom he appreciated, he deter-
mined to inform the people of the project.

For some time the situation in which the
republic would be placed upon the death of
the Duke of Urbino, whose possessions would
then be under subjection to the Pope, had
been agitated by the people; the vivacity
with which they resisted the idea of submis-
sion to ecclesiastical domination caused a fear
that when the time came their energetic
decisions would not be sustained by sufficient
means of defence.

One day, an envoy of Francesco Maria IL,
the Lord Malatesta Malatesti, auditor of his
highness, presented himself to the general
council, and in the name of the first councillor
120 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO:

of the republic, a friend of whose devotion
there could be no doubt, proposed to the
citizens not to wait in the choice of a new
protector for the ambitious competition that
the death of his master would excite. The
only way of avoiding the dangerous conse-
quences of a quarrel was to put themselves
immediately under the protectorate of the
Pope, in consideration of satisfactory guaran-
ties of independence.

Fearing, in a question so important, the
ardor of a public discussion, it was agreed to
delegate the right of deliberation to a special
commission. This resolution being in con-
formity with the advice of the Duke of Urbino
and approved by the council, a treaty with
the Holy See was drawn up and sent to Rome.

The auditor of Francesco Maria, furnished
with the necessary powers to treat in the
name of the republic with Clement VIII,
found the Pontiff well disposed to accept the
offer which was made to him, in spite of the
express reservation that the protectorate of
the court of Rome would not be accepted
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 121

without the condition that the Duke of Ur-
bino should leave no heir. The act, clothed
with the assent of both parties, was then
publicly read at San Marino. The rigorous
clauses which limited the rights of the Holy
See upon the republic gave ample satisfaction
to the national pride; thus the treaty of
peace and friendship was ratified almost by
the unanimous acclamation of the people.

Suddenly, one of those unexpected events
that seem providential took place to render
superfluous the wise precautions of Francesco
Maria II. The duchess gave birth to a prince.
At this news, the frenzy of the inhabitants
broke out in noisy demonstrations, and, not-
withstanding the poverty of the treasury,
they manifested by a stately embassy their
joy at the birth of an heir of the Montefel-
trian family.

Restored to the sentiment of entire inde-
pendence, the little people occupied them-
selves with the improvement of their institu-
tions while war was desolating a portion of
the peninsula.
122 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

Already numerous bodies of men, scattered
over the territory of San Marino, formed
secret friendships with some of its inhab-
itants, and created religious societies ready
to interfere with civil affairs.

Many citizens saw the necessity of a new
reform of the laws, Accordingly, January 31,
1621. a special commission was appointed,
and its work, while incomplete, assured the
progressive march of the state and the easier
management of its institutions.
CHAPTER XVII.

THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTU-
RIES.

Unexpected death of Prince Federigo. — The desolate duke cedes
his rights to the Holy See, and dies in 1631. — Treaty of alliance
between the Holy See and San Marino. — Independence of the
republic solemnly consecrated. — Benefits of a solid peace. —
Reform of abuses. —Letters of recommendation forbidden. —
Public instruction. — The right of asylum abused. — Citizen-
ship of San Marino sought by strangers as an honor. — Exten-
sion of commercial relations with neighboring provinces.

Tue happiness of the little state was not
of long duration. The sudden death of
young Prince Federigo snatched from the
Duke of Urbino and the Titanic republic
the precious hope which had filled them
with joy. The old duke, crushed with sad-
ness, abandoned any further discussion with
Pope Urban VIII, successor of Clement, in
regard to the possession so openly coveted.
Having left to his ambassador, Horace Al-
bani, the work of effecting a cession of the
duchy of Urbino, he chose a peaceful retreat
and died there in 1631, universally mourned
by his subjects and his old allies and friends.
124 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

Inasmuch as a public enactment before
the death of the old duke had recognized
his niece Victoria as the lawful heiress of
his possessions, the Pontiff, fearing that his
rights might be contested by the Titanic
colony, which he was not in a state to bring
under subjection, wisely determined to re-
new with the government the treaty of alli-
ance concluded by his predecessor.

This contract, made through the instru-
mentality of Albani, substituted for the sec-
ular relations of friendship between San Ma-
rino and the house of Montefeltro a more
stable and effective alliance. The papal pro-
tection, far from attacking in any manner the
ancient independence of the republic, gave a
new confirmation to it in the treaty, as fol-
lows: “ Libertate, juridictione, meroque et mixto
imperio, ae gubernio semper salvis.” So that the
Holy See, heretofore justly considered by
the freemen of San Marino as an adversary,
became, suddenly, their protector, their ally
and friend. In the excitement of his gen-
erosity towards them, Urban VIII. granted
the right of free entry into the territory of
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 125

the church of all the products of the soil
and of industry, without being subjected to
the custom duty or to that of the einguina.

Completely isolated within the domains of
the church, the little republic could at last
devote itself peacefully to the pursuit of all
the reforms dreamed of by its legislators.

The first was the suppression of letters of
recommendation, in use in Italy, to magis-
trates and functionaries. A penal law im-
posed a fine upon any one who should have
recourse to such letters to either the judges
or the captains. One illustrious prince think-
ing himself warranted by his title to recom-
mend a citizen to one of the captains, the
latter, by order of the council, replied that
he was only an agent charged with the duty
of supervising the execution of its general
decisions.

It was found necessary to adopt measures
either to compel members of the council to
attend regularly its meetings, or to restrict
the number of ballots necessary for the va-
126 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

lidity of a vote. In order to protect the
administration of justice from local influ-
ences, always preponderating in a small com-
munity, they returned to the former practice
of employing a foreign judge, who would
naturally be disinterested in the quarrels
that might arise ; finally, great efforts were
made for the development of public instruc- *
tion, the true guaranty of liberty and of
morals. Faithful men devoted themselves
to this mission, and soon remarkable prog-
ress was manifest.

To insure the internal peace of the state
there remained only a reform of the famous
right of asylum, the corner-stone of the old
constitutions of San Marino. Many worth-
less men, abusing this right, sought protec-
tion upon Mount Titanus against the laws
they had broken and dishonored. After
several violent expulsions a special decree
was issued, regulating the use of safe pas-
sages and the application of the right of ref-
uge. A residence at San Marino, free from
the corrupting elements which threatened to
invade it, was soon sought by distinguished
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 127

men from all parts of Italy ; many requested
the honor of citizenship in the free city, and
of adding to their rank this honorary title,
the only one then existing upon the moun-
tain.

The citizens of San Marino, now at peace
with their neighbors, began to acquire prop-
erty in the communes, and even in the adja-
cent provinces, and devoted themselves with
confidence to the commerce of wool and the
products of the colony. After so many sac-
rifices to fortify and defend the territory,
the feeling of security in peacefully applying
themselves to their occupations enabled the
citizens to appropriate the common resources
in developing productions. The precipitous
height of Mount Titanus necessarily limited
the scope of the relations of the people with
the rest of Europe, but they devoted them-
selves to the improvement of the soil with a
zeal equal to that of which they had given
proof in defending it against the rapacity of
its enemies.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

The protectorate of the Holy See assures the neutrality of San
Marino. — Development of an aristocratic caste. — Mount Tita-
nus surrounded. — Horrors of Famine. — Attempt of October
24, 1739.— The citadel surprised. — The people convoked in
the church. — Alberoni exacts the oath of obedience to the Holy
See. — Brave reply. — Enthusiasm of the people.— Alberoni
takes flight. — Intervention of the ambassador from France. —
Clement XII. sends another cardinal to Mount Titanus to pro-
claim there, in the name of the Pope, the entire independence
of the republic. — Alberoni, exiled at Bologna, publishes a
manifesto. — Crushing reply of Cardinal Corsini. — Testimony
of the republic’s gratitude.

In consequence of its alliance with the
Holy See, the Republic of San Marino, placed
by the protectorate in a state of. complete
isolation, was able to observe the most abso-
lute neutrality in the war which reigned in
Italy during the first half of the eightéenth
century. Without having immediate rela-
tions with the belligerent states, thanks to
the protecting zone of the papal provinces,
it could at last return to the destiny dreamed
of by its founder, and enjoy without anxiety
the benefits of peace. Unfortunately, the
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 129

development of an aristocratic caste, created
by dissensions, seemed to Cardinal Alberoni
a good opportunity to revive certain claims,
many times condemned, against the colony ;
and thus the endless suit between the re-
public and the Holy See was renewed with
increased ardor.

The magistrates in charge of the adminis-
tration of justice having paid no attention
to letters of recommendation from the le-
gate, and having refused to pardon certain
culprits, he began to dispute the validity of
their judgments, and asserted that the con-
demned persons, having carried on an indus-
try under a special license from the holy
pontifical house, were legally subject to the
jurisdiction of Rome. The Pope, deceived
by the allegations of Alberoni, supposed the
rights of the tiara to be threatened by reb-
els, and permitted the prelate to surround
Mount Titanus with an army, which, unable
to carry the impregnable citadel by assault,
reduced its defenders to famine, and cut off
all communication between them and the

outer world.
9
130 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

The people, prevented from sending del-
egates to the Holy Father, to plead their
cause, determined to bear till the last moment
the horrors of hunger. Their hope was that
Clement XII., an old man of feeble mind, but
of a just character, would in the end under-
stand the schemes of the legate and acknowl-
edge the injustice of his pretensions.

But Alberoni did not cease to represent to
the Pontiff the deplorable example set by the
republic, a den of turbulent and ambitious
men, and rebels to all laws. It was neces-
sary, the prelate said, to restore within the
pale of the church the community of San
Marino, and to unite it permanently with the
pontifical domain.

Clement XII., unsettled in his mind by
these statements, decided that the wishes of
the oppressed citizens should be ascertained
by authentic evidence. He ordered the car-
dinal legate to proceed to an examination of
the true condition of Mount Titanus, without.
compromising in any manner the loyalty of
the Holy See and its respect for treaties,
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 1381

The mission of the cardinal was to remain
upon the frontiers of the republic, to make
known the apostolic orders, and to await the
free and honest expression of the will of the
people.

As their situation grew worse, the inhab-
itants, worn out by physical suffering, but
sustained by their remembrance of a glori-
ous past, went through all the alternations
of heroic resignation and hopeless despair.
Perfidious agents of Alberoni increased their
discouragement by showing the folly of re-
sistance to the kind intentions of the Pope,
whose authority was acknowledged by prov-
inces much more powerful.

Alberoni, determined to bring matters to a
speedy solution, on the 24th of October, 1739,
.- invaded the territory of the republic, and en-
tered the gates of the city by surprise. In
the midst of a gloomy silence he passed with
his escort through the crowd of citizens,
thrown into consternation by such audacity.
A deputation of the council waited upon him
to inquire into the motives which brought
132 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

him there. Without deigning to reply to
this request, Alberoni ordered the people to
assemble the following day to learn the de-
cisions of Rome.

At the time appointed, the hour of divine
service, the bells summoned the faithful.
Alberoni entered the church surrounded by
his soldiers and partisans; the executioner
himself appeared in the procession. The
fraction of the people that the legate had
gained to his cause crowded into the temple.

The holy sacrifice offering was interrupted.
From the high altar Alberoni demanded the
oath of obedience to the head of the church.

Suddenly, the venerable Captain Giangi
extended his hand towards the tabernacle,
and said, “I have sworn fidelity to my lawful
prince, the Republie of San Marino. I renew the
sacred oath.” Joseph Onofri repeated his
words. Then Giralmo Gozi, protesting with
energy against any attack upon the independ-
ence of his country, exclaimed with enthu-
siasm, “ Long hve San Marino! Long hve lib-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 133

ery!” This cry, repeated by the officiating
priest, was immediately taken up by a thou-
sand voices, and resounded like a thunder-
clap under the arches of the temple.

The cardinal, carried away by anger, de-
parted with threats of a prompt and crushing
vengeance upon the inhabitants.

The people, having returned thanks to
God, without leaving the church swore to
sacrifice everything to secure harmony, and
appointed ambassadors to carry to Rome the
expression of their wishes and of their at-
tachment to liberty ; then, seizing arms, they
proceeded to the abode of the cardinal, who
fortunately had taken flight.

At the news of the attempt, the ambassa-
dor of France hastened to the Vatican, and
made the following declaration to the Pope:
“ Holy Father, I beg to inform you that the
king, my master, will never permit the sub-
jection of a free and independent nation; at
least, not without his authority. In case of
persistence, I shall declare war upon you.”
134 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

Justly alarmed, the Sacred College and the
Pope openly blamed the legate. Clement
XII. solemnly asserted his respect for the
republic, to which he had sworn protection,
and over which he had never pretended to
exercise dominion. In order to make repa-
ration in a marked manner for the outrages
of Alberoni, he sent to Mount Titanus Cardi-
nal Enriquez Napoletano, to proclaim there in
his name the right of the republic to govern
itself without retraint.

This new agreement of friendship was
signed the 5th of February, 1740, the day of
the feast of Saint Agatha. This happy an-
niversary of the deliverance of the republic
is still annually celebrated by a public cere-
mony, in which the people take part with
special devotion.

Alberoni, who escaped punishment in con-
sequence of the weakness of Clement XII.,
did not leave the legation of the Romagna
until after the elevation of Benedict XIV.
Sent as legate to Bologna, his own country, he
there published a manifesto, containing with
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 135

an explanation of his conduct gross abuse of
the inhabitants of San Marino. Incensed at
this libel, Cardinal Corsini, nephew of the
late Pope, publicly exposed the falsity of the
charges; this he did, documents in hand,
with such authority and clearness that his
memory was honored by the people of the
republic by the erection of a statue, in grati-
tude for his great homage to truth.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES.

The end of the eighteenth century. — America proclaims its in-
dependence. — The revolutionary storm shakes Europe. — The
battalions of the republic cross the Alps. — The cry of liberty.
— Bonaparte sends Monge as ambassador to San Marino. —
His speech and offer of an enlargement of territory. — Reply of
Captain-Regent Antonio Onofri.— The offer refused. — Di-
vision of the pontifical states between the French empire and
the kingdom of Italy.— The republic saved from danger. —
Definitive peace.— Papal brief confirms the independence of
San Marino in 1817.

THE century was reaching its end. The
works of the French philosophers foreshad-
owed the near approach of a new order of
things. Already, beyond the ocean, America,
throwing off the yoke of the Old World,
proclaimed its independence, and anticipated
Europe in the way of reforms. Suddenly
there burst upon France the great revolu-
tionary storm whose concussions shook the
firmest thrones. At a moment when the
monarchical coalition saw with alarm its
armies retreating before the battalions of the
republic, the boldness of a young captain
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 137

transported into the plains of Italy the field
of battle upon which the destinies of peoples
were at stake. A cry of liberty resounded
beyond the Alps, and Bonaparte, victorious,
invoked the classic souvenirs of antiquity to
stimulate the ardor of his soldiers.

After the glorious combats of Montenotte,
of Lodi, and of Arcola, the general-in-chief of
the army of the Alps, complete master of the
peninsula, determined, the more effectually
to terrify the kingly powers, to send a greet-
ing of peace from the young French republic
to the old Titanic republic. From his head-
quarters at Pesaro, he delegated for that
purpose the distinguished scientist, Monge.
Introduced to the council, the French envoy
spoke as follows: — .

“The liberty which in the brilliant days
of Athens and of Thebes transformed Greece
into a people of heroes, which at the time of
the republic produced wonders among the
Romans, which since and during the short
interval it has shone upon certain cities of
Italy revived the sciences and the arts, and
138 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

made Florence illustrious, — that liberty was
almost wholly banished from Europe ; it ex-
isted only in San Marino, where by the
wisdom of your government, citizens, and
especially by your virtues, you have pre-
served this precious deposit through so many
revolutions, and have defended its sanctuary
through such a long series of years.

“The people of France after a century of
enlightenment, blushing at their long sla-
very, have made an exertion, and are free.
All Europe, blinded to its own interests, and
especially to the interests of mankind, coa-
lesced and armed itself against them. Their
neighbors agreed among themselves upon a
division of their territory ; in every direction
their frontiers were invaded ; their fortresses
and their forts were in the power of the
enemy ; and what afflicted them most, a pre-
cious part of themselves excited civil war
and forced them to strike blows of which
they felt all the weight.

“Alone in the midst of so great a storm,
without experience, without arms or chiefs,
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 139

they rushed to the frontiers, made resistance
everywhere, aud soon triumphed everywhere.
The wisest of their enemies withdrew from
the coalition; the success of their arms forced
others to implore for peace, which they ob-
tained. At last there remain but three, but
they are infatuated, and listen to no counsel
but that of pride, of jealousy, and of hatred.

“One of the French armies enters Italy,
has crushed, one after another, four Austrian
armies, restores liberty to this beautiful land,
and covers itself, almost under your eyes,
with immortal glory. The French republic,
which has not shed so much blood without
regret, content at having given a great ex-
ample to the world, proposes a peace which
it was able to dictate. Would you believe
it, citizens! everywhere these propositions
have been rejected with scorn, or eluded
with guile. The army of Italy, to conquer
peace, is obliged to pursue its enemies and
to pass near your territory. I come in be-
half of General Bonaparte, in the name of
the French republic, to give assurance of
peace and of an inviolable friendship.
140 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

“Citizens, the political constitution of the
people who surround you may undergo
changes. If any part of your frontiers is ab-
solutely necessary to you, I am charged by
the general-in-chief to beg of you to in-
form him of it. With the greatest alacrity
he will put the French republic in a position
to give you evidence of its sincere friend-
ship.

“ As to myself, citizens, I rejoice to be the
organ of a mission which must be agreeable
to two republics, and which affords me an
opportunity of testifying to the veneration
with which you have inspired all the friends
of liberty.” i

The captain-regent, Antonio Onofri, sur-
named by his fellow citizens the Father of
his Country, replied in these words: —

“The day of your mission to Mount Ti-
tanus, citizen envoy, will be for us a mem-
orable epoch in the records of liberty. The
French republic is not less successful in con-
quering its enemies by force of arms than in
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 14]

surprising them by its generosity. We feel
happy to be cited among the models worthy
of exciting your emulation, but happier still
to know that you find us worthy of the
honor of your friendship and of receiving a
marked proof of it. We cannot without en-
thusiasm realize that you are reviving in
Italy the golden days of Greece and of the
Roman republic. Our sincere love of lib-
erty makes us appreciate the magnanimous
efforts of a great nation to accomplish this
noble aim. You have surpassed general ex-
pectation ; alone against the rest of Europe,
you have given to the world a new and illus-
trious example of the power that the senti-
ment of liberty inspires.

“Your army and its young and valiant
captain, who unites the talents of genius
with the virtues of a hero, follow the steps
of Hannibal, and recall the wonders of an-
cient times. You turn your eyes upon a
point of land where the remains of primitive
liberty have taken refuge, and upon which
is seen rather the precision of Sparta than
the elegance of Athens.
142 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

“As you know, citizen envoy, simplicity of
manners and a sacred sentiment of liberty
are the only inheritance that we have re-
ceived from our fathers; we rejoice in hav-
ing preserved it through so many centuries
without injury from the efforts of ambition,
the hatred of the powerful, and the envy of
our enemies.

“Return to the hero who sent you; carry
to him the free homage of our admiration
and gratitude; tell him that the Republic of
San Marino, satisfied with the narrow bound-
aries of its territory and with its modest
existence, has no desire to accept his gen-
erous offer, nor of entertaining the ambitious
idea of an aggrandizement which might in
time compromise its liberty; tell him that
its citizens will be under the greatest obliga-
tion to the French republic and its invinci-
ble general if they can secure the public
welfare by an extension of their commerce
upon conditions the most favorable to their
subsistence. Our wishes are limited to the
accomplishment of this object, and we beg
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 148

you to represent them to the general-in-
chief.

“ As to yourself, illustrious citizen, we are
the more happy at this moment because
we appreciate in you the union of wisdom,
knowledge, and patriotism. The aim of
your mission and the man who has so faith-
fully filled it will be an eternal monument
of the magnanimity of the new conqueror
of Italy ; they will live always in our hearts,
and our gratitude for them will never be for-
gotten.”

Faithful to the traditions of its founder, and
wisely fearful of the consequences of an en-
largement of territory, the colony of San
Marino furnished to the young conqueror an
example of moderation worthy of the old
republics. Struck with their disinterested-
ness, he wrote from Modena to the Sovereign

Council the following letter, dated February
28, 1797:—

“The citizen Monge, citizens, has in-
formed me of the touching picture that your
144 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

little republic presented to him. I have or-
dered that the citizens of San Marino shall
be exempt from contributions, and respected
throughout the French republic. I have
given an order to General Sahuguet, whose
headquarters are at Rimini, to send to you
four field-pieces, which, in the name of the
republic, I present to you. He will also
place at your disposition a thousand quintals
of corn, which will supply the wants of your
republic until the next harvest.

“JT beg you to believe, citizens, that under
all circumstances, I shall be eager to give
proofs to the people of San Marino of the
esteem and consideration with which I am

“ BONAPARTE.”

When Napoleon became emperor, and
consequently no longer professed the same
admiration for republics, he found himself, at
the time of the division of the pontifical
states with the kingdom of Italy, much em-
barrassed by the political position of the
Titanic mountain, enclosed as it was within
the portion vested in Italy. Consulted on
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 145

this point by M. Marescalchi, minister of
foreign affairs of the king, he had the good
sense to reply, “In faith, we must preserve
San Marino as a sample of a republic.” Thus
a freak of the conqueror saved the work of
fourteen centuries, that a word might have
destroyed.

The striet neutrality observed by the state
of San Marino during the successive changes
in the map of Europe till 1815 secured for it
the benefits of peace and liberty.

In 1817, a brief of Pope Pius VII. con-
firmed anew the independence of the repub-
lic, — an independence which since that time
has been subjected to no attacks.

10
CHAPTER XX.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY,

The expedition to Rome disturbs the frontiers of San Marino in
1849.— Garibaldi takes refuge upon the Titanic mountain. —
His order of the day. — Animosity of the Austrians. — Gari-
baldi takes flight. — The war of 1859. — Italian unity. — Trea-
ties between the republic and the kingdom of Italy.— Count
Cibrario. — Annexation to Italy of the Pope’s domains. — Abo-
lition of capital punishment. — Homage to the memory of Dante.

Tue European continent having enjoyed
almost a general peace from 1815 to 1848,
it was easy for the miniature state to live in
security and to develop without molestation
its relations with the neighboring’ countries.
In 1849, the sound of cannon and the spec-
tacle of war again aroused its inhabitants,
and reminded them that the era of universal
peace would be for a long time to come but
a dream.

The French expedition sent to fight the
Roman republic and reéstablish the pontif-
ical power, under command of General Ou-
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 147

dinot, took possession of Rome July 3, 1849,
after a siege of sixty days. Garibaldi, forced
to fly with a handful of men, sought from the
generous inhabitants of the Titanic mountain
that hospitality which had been in times past
so often offered to outlaws. The following is
the order of the day by which was disbanded,
July 31, 1849, the little body of troops which
had followed him to San Marino : —

“ Sotprers !— We have arrived upon a land
of refuge, and we owe an irreproachable con-
duct to our generous hosts. It will secure
for us the respect that misfortune deserves.

“From this time I release my companions
in arms from all obligations, leaving them
free to return to private life; but I would
remind them that it is better to die than to
live slaves of a foreigner. GARIBALDL”

In their animosity against the outlaw, the
Austrians stationed at Rimini summoned the
Republic of San Marino to deliver up the
fugitives, threatening to invade the Titanic
mountain if the order was not immediately
148 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

executed. Faithful to the traditions of the
right of protection, the inhabitants in oppos-
ing the demand urged as a reason the sacred
laws of humanity, which had been respected
from age to age by their enemies. Thanks to
the persistence of one of the regents, Delmo-
nico Belzoppi, a meeting took place between
the government and the Austrian General
Gorzgomski. It was agreed that Garibaldi,
furnished with a passport, should be allowed
to take refuge in America, and that his com-
panions, after having deposited their arms
with the military authorities of San Marino,
should not be pursued nor molested.

From a feeling of distrust, Garibaldi es-
caped in the night-time, with a meagre es-
cort, and gained the little port of Casenatico,
whence a fishing boat conveyed him to Venice.

This was the last occasion in which the
republic has been obliged to enforce its sec-
ular franchises, and to combat the abuses of
force at variance with justice. The political
transformations which in 1859 so entirely
disturbed the Italian ‘peninsula in no way
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 149

changed the cordial relations which existed
between the republic and the kingdom of
Piedmont.

March 22, 1862, Count Luigi Cibrario, sen-
ator and distinguished citizen of the republic,
signed as plenipotentiary a treaty of friend-
ship and commerce with the kingdom of
Italy. This agreement, by which the inde-
pendence of the state of San Marino was
officially proclaimed, regulated on an equita-
ble basis the international execution of sen-
tences, the extradition of malefactors, of de-
serters and refractory recruits, at the same
time preserving the hospitable rights due
to unfortunate outlaws. The suppression of
passports, the free circulation of the prod-
ucts and money of the two states, and the
arbitration of custom duties completed this
treaty of peace. A medallion in bronze of
the King of Italy, presented by himself, con-
secrated its ratification.

In recognition of his services, Commander
Cibrario received from the republic the honor
of quartering his armorial bearings and those
150 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

of his descendants in the arms of San Ma-
rino. This eminent citizen died in 187],
regretted not only by his compatriots, but
by the numerous friends whom his charac-
ter and talents had gained for him at the
court of Victor Emmanuel.

In 1872, this treaty, slightly modified, was
definitively ratified by M. E. Vigliani, min-
ister plenipotentiary of the republic, and M.
Quadasigilli, minister of his majesty the King
of Italy. A postal treaty facilitating the
service of correspondence between the two
states was concluded in 1864, and has con-
tinued in force since then.

The annexation of the Roman provinces
and of the domains of St. Peter to the
crown of Italy did not diminish the friendly
disposition of the powerful state in which
the territory of San Marino is enclosed. Free
at last from the Alps to the Adriatic, Italy
loyally respected the autonomy of the people
with whom the sentiment of freedom and its
defenders had always found a home, even
during the most disturbed periods of history.

‘
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 151

Faithful to their mission of peace and their
work of civilization and progress, the de-
scendants of Marinus decreed in 1859 the
abolition of capital punishment. In this the
little state gave to the great powers of Eu-
rope an example of humanity.

At the time of the ceremonies commemo-
rative of the sixth centenary of Dante, San
Marino wished to participate in a durable
manner in the homage rendered by Italy to
his glorious name. The medal struck for
this occasion represents on one side the ef-
figy of the poet, crowned with laurel, with
the legend, —

A DANTE ALIGHIERI NEL VI CENTENARIO

MDCCCLXV
On the reverse, —

A
DANTE ALIGHIERI
La Rervssiica pi San-Marino
1865
CHAPTER XXI.

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY CONTINUED.

Present institutions of San Marino. — Consuls. — Judges. —
Right of petition. — Military system. — Finances. — The two
powers. — The Grand Council. — The captains-regents. — Mode
of election. — Local administration. — Obligatory exercise of
public functions. — Sanitary measures. — Judicial organization.
— Defensive force. — The guard of honor. — Public instruc-
tion. — The budget. — Taxes. — Money. — Public library, —
Hospital. — Titles of nobility. — Equestrian Order of San
Marino. — The book of gold. — The patricians. — The freedom
of the city.

Arter having narrated the history of the
Republic of San Marino, it remains in con-
clusion to examine its existing institutions.
A study of the successive changes through
which it has passed since the establishment
of the first domestic government, upon which
its founder based its social organization, might
be a guide for a political constitution, justly
conciliating the individual rights of the cit-
izen and the collective rights of the state.

As by degrees the colony increased, the
authority of the heads of families, existing
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 153

under the name of the Arringo, was trans-
ferred to a council of sixty members, elected
by all the citizens. This body, issuing direct
from the popular will, was able, without a
written code, under the inspiration of good
sense, to form a democratic organization con-
stantly alive to the progressive necessities of
civilization.

To secure the execution of the expressed
wishes of the representatives of the republic,
and to avoid exposing any ambitious chief to
the temptation of usurping the power tem-
porarily instrusted to him, the people had the
wisdom to confide to two officers, for a period
of six months, the exercise of the executive
power. This magistracy, formerly known by
the names of consuls, defenders, and rectors,
exists at the present time under the respon-
sibility of two captains-regents, elected for
the same period, and representing, one the
agricultural population, the other that of the
city.

Under an oath to observe the laws of the
state and to defend them, these officers, who
154 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

for a long time performed also the duties of
ministers of justice, are strictly accountable
to the Grand Council for their acts. The his-
tory of San Marino does not contain a single
instance of usurpation or‘of treason commit-
ted by any of its citizens invested with pub-
lic confidence.

To avoid the inconvenience of a confusion
of powers, which might under certain circum-
stances be prejudicial to equity, they had re-
course to foreign judges, who would naturally
be disinterested in the questions submitted
to their arbitration. Oftener the captains,
having performed the office of peace-makers
between the parties, referred the definitive
judgment of the case to a sort of tribunal of
appeal chosen annually from the council.

Every citizen has the rights of petition and
of remonstrance, which are addressed to the
captains and discussed publicly at the meet-
ings of the Grand Council.

The military system rests upon the ob-
ligation of every citizen to bear arms, not
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 155

to maintain an unjust attack or an oppress-
ive war, but to defend the laws and liberty
of the country.

The finances, reduced to the simplest meth-
ods and free from the superfluous burdens
which exhaust the budgets of great states,
are managed upon an equitable system of
a division of the public expenses among all
the citizens, according to their fortune and
resources.

At the present time the legislative power
is exercised under the official name of the
“Princely and Sovereign Grand Council,”
generally called “Grand Council,” or “Sov-
ereign Council,” composed of sixty members,
chosen for life, with power to fill vacancies,
in which the nobles, the citizens, and the
rural proprietors are represented in equal
proportions. Following the example of the
ancient Florentine republic, the legislation
of San Marino has wisely included the aris-
tocratic class in the performance of public
duties, without, however, granting to it any
special privileges.
156 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

To this legislative body, representing the
sovereignty of the people, belong the reform

of laws and the right of pardon. Initisalso

vested the election of captains-regents, of
magistrates and public functionaries. There
is, besides, a kind of senate, composed of
twelve members of the council, of which two
thirds are annually renewed, and which per-
forms certain intermediate duties. Finally,
the exercise of supreme authority is intrusted
to two captains-regents, having the title of
“Excellency,” who are invested every six
months with the executive power.

The election of the captains-regents takes
place on the first of April and October of
each year. Fifteen days before the time, the
Sovereign Council assembles to prepare for
it. Twelve names are drawn by lot from the
sixty members of the council, and each one
of them proposes a candidate for the regency
from among the councillors, The twelve
names thus selected are submitted to a vote
of the Sovereign Council, and the six who
receive the highest number are declared to
be candidates for the office of regent. The
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 157

six names are written on three ballots, each
having two names, one of which is that of a
noble, the other of a citizen or a proprietor.

The election is held in the cathedral, be-
hind the altar of Saint Marinus. The three
ballots are deposited in an urn, from which a
young child draws a single ballot. The two
whose names are written upon it are then
proclaimed by the rector captains-elect, coram

populo.

Immediately after this ceremony the two
captains-regents, clothed with the insignia of
their office, proceed to the palace of state,
accompanied by a procession composed of
the Bishop of San Marino, delegations of re-
ligious brotherhoods, civil and military au-
thorities, and representatives of the nobility
and the people.

Military music precedes and the city mili-
tia escorts the two magistrates, surrounded
by a detachment of the guards of honor.
Received with proper respect and addressed
by the retiring captains, they are then recon-
158 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ducted with the same ceremony to the cathe-
dral, where the episcopal benediction is be-
stowed upon them. At the sanctuary, while
the retiring captains are placed upon a
throne, their successors, seated upon a plain
bench, receive a blessing from the archpriest,
after which the procession goes to the hall of
the Grand Council, where the civil ceremony
takes place. The newly elected officers, in
assuming power, take from the hands of their
predecessors the standard, the seals of. state,
and the keys of the city, after which the
oath of office is administered to them.

The government has two secretaries of
state, one for foreign affairs, the other for
the interior.

There is also, in each commune or village,
a syndic, having charge of local administra-
tion; he provides for the urgent wants of the
commune, makes known its wishes to the
government, and gives information of all at-
tempts against persons or property.

A meeting of the Grand Council may be
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 159

legally called by the regents, or by one of
them. A fine is imposed upon absentees, but
inasmuch as the performance of public func-
tions is considered a duty, and not a priv-
ilege, it is not often that recourse is: had to
coercive measures to secure an organization.

The republic has ministers plenipotentiary
and consuls. In France, independently of
the legation at Paris, there are consuls-gen-
eral of San Marino at Paris, Lyons, Rouen,
Bordeaux, and Marseilles.

Besides the national anniversaries of June
4th and February 5th, the city of San Marino
celebrates its dedication day on September
3d of each year.

One part of the territory of the republic
being placed under the episcopal jurisdic-
tion of the Bishop of Rimini, and the other
under that of the Bishop of Montefeltro, the
cathedral of San Marino is administered by
an archpriest, who has the title of auditor-
bishop. In the state there are seven par-
ishes and four convents, two of which are in
160 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

the city. They are the Conventuals, the
Capucines, the Brothers of Mary, and the
Clarissas. The young girls of good families
can receive a finished education among the
nuns of:Saint Clara.

Two physicians and one surgeon, appoint-
ed by the state, render their services gra-
tuitously to the inhabitants ; their office re-
quiring them besides to make known to the
captains-regents all cases of contagious and
epidemic diseases which are found within
the territory. In case of an epidemic, the
captains-regents are empowered to appoint
two additional physicians. A special article
of the penal code punishes with a fine of
fifty to two hundred francs the refusal to at-
tend to the call of a sick person, independ-
ently of the damages that may be obtained
judicially.

The sale of secret remedies and the adul-
teration of prescriptions are severely pun-

ished by law.

Three warm mineral springs in the valley
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 161

of Saint Anastasia, at the extreme end of
the republic, enjoy a certain reputation for
their remedial properties. One of the springs,
being highly sulphurated, is used with suc-
cess in the treatment of diseases of the skin.

On the Ist of April of each year, two dep-
uties are appointed by the captains-regents
to supervise the quality of the food exposed
for sale, with the right to commence pro-
ceedings against and to inflict fines upon of-
fenders.

A statute, due to the codperation of dis-
tinguished agriculturists, and drawn up by the
learned Domenico Mangozzi, has controlled,
since 1811, the cultivation of lands within
the republic. A special decree, dated in
1867, regulates the quarrying of stone, an
important source of revenue to the state.

The judicial organization of the republic
comprises civil tribunals and a supreme court.
The magistrates are chosen for three years,
and are selected from foreign jurists in order

to secure freedom from the influence of fam-
11
162 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

ily ties or of personal relations which exist
in a small state. A special code establishes
the penalty applicable to each offence. As
we have previously stated, punishment by
death has been abolished in the republic
since 1859.

The little defensive army is composed, ac-
cording to the principles of true democracy,
of all able-bodied citizens between the ages
of eighteen and sixty. The only exempts
are professors, magistrates, students, priests,
public functionaries, and scholars with di-
plomas. The government appoints the offi-
cers, of which the highest is general.

The privilege of an honorary rank in the
army of San Marino is especially appreciated
by the sons of noble families in Rome and
Tuscany. On the 3d of September of each
year (St. Agatha’s day) a general review
takes place.

Two special corps complete the military
organization of the state: one select corps,
composed of the most distinguished citizens
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 163

of the republic, is exclusively designed as a
guard of honor to the Grand Council in its
public ceremonies; the other, the guard of
the rock or fort, is recruited from the vet-
erans of the city militia. Upon the latter
devolves the military service of the city and
the citadel.

An armed force has charge of police du-
ties; but in that also, to insure the independ-
ence of measures of restraint, the agents of
the law are selected from without the state.

Public instruction, which, with charities,
health, public works, and commerce, absorbs
two thirds of the budget, has a state college,
founded in 1691 by an excellent man, a
priest named Ascanio de Giacomo Belluzzi,
who at his own expense created this superior
establishment. Raised at the present time
to the rank of a university, it embraces in its
course of instruction special mathematics,
physical sciences, applied chemistry, and
civil and criminal law. Diplomas issued by
it are recognized by many Italian universi-
ties. It is unnecessary to say that there are
164 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

elementary schools devoted to popular in-
struetion.

Thanks to the constant equilibrium of re-
eeipts and expenditures, the state of San
Marino has no public debt. The land tax is
almost nothing. The indirect taxes are lim-
ited to light octroz duties upon bread, meat,
fish, shooting licenses, powder, salt, and to-
bacco. In addition to these resources, there
are stamp and mutation dues.’

The only money bearing the effigy of the

1 The following is a fair representation of the budget for
many years : —

RECEIPTS. EXPENDITURES.
Lire. Lire.
Direct Taxes . . . 5,500 Regency .. . . 8,200
Indirect Taxes . . 48,400 Justice. . - « 8,200
Gov't Revenues . . 62,000 Army «2% ow 8 500
Miscellaneous . . 6,600 Finance . . . . 11,500
Health... .. 7,700
Public Worship . . 2,000
Public Works . . 38,000
Industry, Commerce,
and Post ... 2
Public Instruction . 17,100
Charity .. . . 5,000.
109,600
Surplus of Receipts, 2,900
Lire, 112,500 = $21,875 Lire, 112,500 = $21,376

The annual gain is invested to provide for any extraordi-
nary demand. — Tr.
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 165

republic was coined at Milan in 1864 It
consists of pieces of five centimes, presenting
on one side the arms of San Marino, and on
the other the expression of value surrounded
by two branches of laurel fastened by a
ribbon. This money has legal circulation
in Italy; as yet the government has not
thought it best to carry out a project formed
at about the same time of coining silver
money.

A bureau of mortgages and of surveys
and valuations of land has been in operation
at San Marino since 1858.

Works of art ornament the cathedral, the
palace of the Grand Council, and that of the

captains-regents.

In the cathedral are found the relics of
the venerated patron of the republic. The
dead, without distinction of rank, are buried
in tombs placed: between the exterior col-
umns of the cathedral.

1 The copper coinage of 1864 was repeated in 1869, and
in 1875 pieces of ten centimes were coined. The republic
has its own postage stamps. — TR.
166 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

A public library containing more than ten
thousand volumes has existed since 1839.
A mont de piéié and a fine hospital were
created in 1860 and 1865. A museum al-
ready comprising a certain number of rare
works will be open to visitors as soon as
the interesting collections are fully arranged

conformably to a decree rendered February
6, 1869.

Bartolomeo Borghesi, a celebrated anti-
quary, born in Savignano, a small city near
Rimini, honored San Marino with his pres-
ence from 1821 to 1860. Corresponding
member of the Institute of France, associate
of the Academy of Berlin, this learned man,
in recognition of the peaceful hospitality
which he found upon the Titanic mountain
after the political troubles of 1821, illumi-
nated in the little republic the prestige of a
name justly distinguished throughout Hu-
rope.

Often urged by speculators to permit the
establishment of a gambling-house at San
Marino, the government has always firmly
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 167

rejected the brilliant offers to induce it to
participate in the benefits of the undertak-
ing.

By reason of its precipitous situation the
state has no railway. Besides the carriage-
road which connects San Marino with Ri-
mini there is a wide foot-path between the
city proper and the Borgo.

In addition to the sovereign privileges
which we have enumerated, the state pos-
sesses the right of conferring titles of nobil-
ity and other honorary distinctions, which
possess the greater value from the rarity of
their bestowal. Many eminent men have re-
ceived from the republic titles of count or
duke, which would seem to be an anomaly if
one did not take into account the prestige
preserved by the noble class in this society,
where aristocracy shares with the people a
power originally purely democratic.

An order of knighthood comprising five
grades, called the “ Equestrian Order of Civil
and Military Merit of San Marino,” was in-
168 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

stituted in 1859. The Grand Council alone
has the right to confer it. When candidates
are presented by the captains-regents, a writ-
ten memorandum is furnished, stating their
social position, their personal merits, and
their services to the republic, to humanity,
to the sciences or the arts. This memoran-
dum, recorded with the proceedings of a
meeting of the Grand Council, is not dis-
cussed till the following meeting, and the
matter is then decided.

The diploma is signed by the captains-
regents and the secretaries of the interior
and of foreign affairs.

A “Medal of Military Merit” of three
classes was created in 1852. In 1860 a de-
cision of the Grand Council extended this
recompense to civil services, and changed its
name to that of a “Medal of Military and
Civil Merit.”

San Marino possesses also its “ Book of
Gold,” upon which are inscribed the names
of the patricians. This high honor may be
THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. 169

conferred for life, or as a hereditary title.
The esteem in which it is held makes it
specially desired by the great families of
Italian nobility.

The right of citizenship is an honor which
the republic confers upon those who have
rendered important services in letters, in
science, or in art. Among the illustrious
men thus adopted by the state were Canova,
Visconti, and Melchiore Delfico, to whom the
republic is indebted for the publication, in
1804, of the historical documents scattered
among its archives. Another learned bibli-
ophile, Commander Carlo Padiglione, pre-
pared in a remarkable compilation an anal-
ysis of all the works and all the critical
notices which had been published upon the
republic. This dictionary procured for its
author, among other honorary distinctions,
an inscription upon the “ Book of Gold” and
the title of patrician.

The republic has for heraldic bearings the
following: argent, three strong towers, azure,
on three rocks of the same; three curved
170 THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO.

flames gules issue from the towers. The
scutcheon is surmounted by a crown, indi-
cating a sovereign state, and is surrounded
by two branches, one of oak, the other of
laurel leaves, fastened by a ribbon upon
which is the device Lisrrrtas.
 

 

      

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