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Official ceremony in Florence on August 4th for Count Caesar Ventura to take possession of Tuscany's sovereignty on behalf of King Lewis I of Etruria. Involved oaths by senators and magistrates, with General Murat present, following the Treaty of Lunéville.
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Official account of the taking possession of the Sovereignty of Tuscany, executed in the name of his majesty the King of Etruria, Lewis I. by count Caesar Ventura, Marquis de Gallinetti, &c. Minister Plenipotentiary of his Etrscan Majesty, Florence, August the 4th.
At seven o'clock in the morning the great bell of the old palace announced the solemn act that was about to take place. At nine a detachment of granadiers, with drums beating, appeared in the Grand Saloon of the old Palace, destined for the scene of the august ceremony, and they were immediately placed at their respective posts.
His excellency general Murat arrived at eleven with his staff, and was received by the Marquises Ferroni and Germi who accompanied him to the Saloon of the two hundred, where an alcove had been prepared for him and his staff, until the moment of celebrating the act.
The count de Ventura arrived soon after with the whole of his suit at the gate of the old palace, and was received by four senators, who accompanied him to the great Saloon.
The plenipotentiary and the commander in chief entered the Saloon at the same moment, by different doors, and were received with the customary honors by the militia. They reached the throne exactly at the same time, and neither of them, as it had been agreed, took the precedence.
In the mean time, the senate, the civil magistracy, and other magistrates, occupied the situations assigned them. The minister plenipotentiary and the general also took their seats.
A profound silence was observed in the Saloon where no less than 2,500 persons belonging to the different orders of the state were assembled. The first minister opened the ceremony, and the notary of the state delivered a long speech, in which, after praising the wisdom of the French republic, and the genius and talents of general Buonaparte he observed, that in consequence of agreement between them and his Imperial majesty, peace had been signed at Luneville. Having read the whole of the fifth article of the treaty, the minister plenipotentiary also read the proclamation of Lewis the first, announcing himself to the Tuscans as the new king of Etruria and constituting him, the count de Ventura, his majesty's plenipotentiary, to receive the customary oath of fidelity and obedience.
The advocate general next invited the senate and magistrates to take the oath, and this invitation was accepted by the lieutenant of the Senate.
The senators and priors of the civil community then proceeded to the foot of the throne; where having saluted the portrait of his majesty, the minister plenipotentiary and the commander in chief, they took the oath, laying their right hands on the holy evangelists, which were kept open by the deputy of the equestrian order of St. Henry.
All persons having resumed their seats, the notary of the state read with a loud voice the solemn instrument of taking the oath, named the seven persons who had signed their names as witnesses, and entreated the benediction of Heaven for the new king, Lewis the first. This entreaty was greeted with universal acclamation.
Thus terminated this august ceremony, during which every time when the French republic or the royal personages were mentioned, the minister plenipotentiary, the commander in chief and the senate, uncovered themselves.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Florence
Event Date
August The 4th
Key Persons
Outcome
senators and magistrates took oath of fidelity and obedience to king lewis i; ceremony concluded with acclamation and benediction.
Event Details
Count Ventura, as plenipotentiary, conducted the ceremony in the Grand Saloon of the old Palace. General Murat and staff attended. Notary read speech praising French Republic and Buonaparte, Treaty of Lunéville article, and king's proclamation. Senate and magistrates swore oath on holy evangelists before throne and portrait.