The King was indeed at Albano, whence from Palestrina Garibaldi marched to the attack; which would probably have been successful had he not been suddenly summoned back to Rome, as the movements of the French were by no means reassuring.  However, a fresh truce being proclaimed, General Rosselli, with Garibaldi under his orders, was sent out again in full force against the Neapolitans.  Not a wise arrangement this, as the volunteers and the regulars—­unless at different posts within the city—­had not yet united in harmonious action.  Garibaldi, sent by Rosselli merely to explore the enemy’s movements, finding that they were retreating from Albano, gave battle to a strong column about two miles from Velletri without giving time to Rosselli to come up with the main body.

So the Neapolitans got into Velletri, barricaded themselves there, and, escaping during the night by the southern gate, recrossed the Neapolitan frontier, the King foremost in the van.  Rosselli and the regulars complained loudly that this disobedience to orders had prevented them from making the King of Naples prisoner, the Garibaldians maintaining on their side that this would have been effected had the regulars thought less about their rations and come to the rescue when first they heard the distant shots.  Messengers sent by the generals to the Triumvirate bore the complaints of each.  Rosselli was recalled, and Garibaldi left with full liberty of action.  But when the French Government disavowed their envoy-extraordinary—­the patriotic, able, straightforward De Lesseps—­instructing Oudinot to enter Rome by fair means or by foul, sending enormous reenforcements, promising to follow up with the entire French army if necessary, what could they do but recall Garibaldi with all possible despatch?  Was it not a proof of their confidence in him?  Moreover, on Garibaldi’s return to Rome, Mazzini made a last effort to induce him to unburden his mind, at least to himself, by asking him in writing to tell him frankly what were his wishes.  Here is the laconic answer, characteristic of the writer; frank and unabashed as the round, clear handwriting of the original, from which we copy: 

  “ROME, June 2d, 1849.

“MAZZINI:  Since you ask me what I wish, I will tell you.  Here I cannot avail anything for the good of the Republic, save in two ways:  as dictator with unlimited plenary powers, or as a simple soldier.  Choose!

  “Unchangingly yours,

  “GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI.”

Again, Garibaldi disapproved the conduct of Mazzini and the Triumvirate because they refused to allow any acts of violence against religion or the professors of religion.  They had abolished the Inquisition, and used the edifice to house the people driven from their homes by the siege; had invited and aided monks and nuns to return to their homes and to lead the life of citizens.  But they had not allowed the confessionals to be burned in the public market-place.  A wretch named Zambianchi, who ill-treated some inoffending priests, was severely punished “for thus dishonoring the Republic and humanity.”  Moreover, the Easter ceremonies were celebrated as usual; the Triumvirate and the Assembly stood among the people in the church and in the square to receive the blessing from the outer balcony of St. Peter’s.