Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/102

 made, were quickly dissipated. Before the year 1797 was out, on the 28th December a tumult occurred in the streets of Rome, when the French general Duphot was killed, and Joseph Bonaparte, the diplomatic representative of the Republic, left the city, in spite of the Papal Government having offered to make every apology that might be required for the crime that had been perpetrated. It was manifest that a fixed intention was entertained to make the worst of an untoward incident, and that the French authorities meant this time to avail themselves thereof to push the Pope against the wall. Accordingly, two days after the out. rage, on the 30th December, a Bull, beginning with the words Christi ecclesiæ regendæ, was issued by Pius VI. to give formal validity to the provisions contemplated in the former Brief. There can be no doubt as to the authenticity of this instrument; for although it is not to be found in the Bullarium, it is