Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/535

Rh to render assistance to the Spanish faction in the disturbance then raging. An appeal was made to the Pope, both by the insurgents and the Grand-Master, the latter of whom also informed the French ambassador at Rome of the situation in which he found himself. The greatest indignation was excited in the papal court at the lawless proceedings of the Spaniards, and the Pope instantly despatched an envoy to Malta to prosecute an inquiry into the causes of the insurrection. The French king also took the matter up warmly, and directed his ambassador to see the Grand-Master righted, and the intrigues of the Spanish faction thwarted.

The papal envoy, Visconti, as soon as he reached Malta, commenced an investigation into the causes and results of the disturbance. He had received directions from his Holiness to reinstate La Cassière in his dignities, provided he found that step could be taken without endangering public tranquillity. A very brief insight, however, into the state of popular feeling led Visconti to perceive that such a measure would be fraught with the greatest possible danger; he therefore contented himself with procuring the release of the imprisoned chief, and summoning him, as well as the leaders of the malcontents, to Rome, that the dispute might be settled by the pontiff in person. He also succeeded, after some negotiation, in inducing the Spanish fleet to leave the island, and trust the settlement of the question entirely to the hands of the Pope.

The entry of La Cassière into Rome, which took place on the 26th October, 1681, was attended with great pomp. Gregory seemed determined to mark, by the cordiality and magnificence of his reception, the sense he entertained of the ill usage to which the aged chief had been subjected. Romégas, on the other hand, was treated with such studied neglect, that his proud spirit sank beneath the insult, and he died on the 4th of November of a fever, brought on by agitation of mind. The Pope decreed the immediate restoration of the Grand- Master to his office, but at the same time privately cautioned him to act with greater moderation, and with more urbanity in the future governance of his fraternity. La Cassière, however, did not survive to resume the active duties of his station. The cares and anxieties of the last year had proved too much for