him in his last moments, that this Pope left behind him a document, under his own hand, empowering the Cardinals to proceed to an immediate election on his demise if they saw danger to the free action of Conclave, in observance of the traditional formalities. This document, we are informed, was indited at the period of the insurrectionary movements in the early part of this Pope's reign, which were formidable, and required Austrian intervention for suppression. It was ever after kept by Gregory XVI. in the drawer of his writing-table (where it was found after his death) with so great solicitude, that every time he moved from one palace to another, the individual who is our informant was specially charged to watch over the transfer of the precious document.[1] What may be the precise form of document which Pius IX. is believed to have prepared we cannot say; but we cannot doubt his having been guided by these precedents in the Papal archives in any provisions he may have taken to meet exigencies of an analogous nature.
- ↑ The fact that a document of this nature was found amongst Gregory XVI.'s papers is mentioned incidentally by Emil Ruth.—Geschichte von Italien vom Jahre 1815 bis 1850. Heidelberg, 1867. Vol. ii. p. 80.
