The arbitrary interference of the king in his endeavour to check the sulphur trade of Sicily, led to new complications and humiliations. England and France were the principal customers for the sulphur of the island ; but in 1838 a French company obtained a monopoly of the trade, on condition that the yearly consumption should be reduced from 900,000 to 600,000 canters (150 lbs. or 160 lbe. each). The English government protested against this contract, as opposed to the interest of British subjects, and as the protest was disregarded an English fleet blockaded the coast and seized many Neapolitan vessels. In consequence of these vigorous measures the sulphur contract was cancelled, and the trade resumed its usual course.
Few events of importance occurred in Sicily for several years after this. There was but little symptom of discontent notwithstanding the loss of all its privileges. But the inspiriting reforms that followed the election of Pius IX. in Central Italy, seemed to rouse the spirit of liberty in the hearts of the Sicilians, and in January 1848 the island broke out into a blaze of insurrection. Messina led the way (Jan. 6), Palermo raised the insurrectionary standard on the 12th, and on the 15th had established a native provisional government, with Ruggero Settimo as one of its chiefs. A royal fleet, under the Count of Aquila, the king's brother, bombarded the town, which was prepared for defence. The bombardment and several attempts at negotiation having failed, the king granted a constitution with two chambers and the usual guarantees on the 10th of February. A parliament met in Palermo In April, which decreed (April 15) the deposition of the king and the Bourbon dynasty. The king occupied with revolutionary troubles at home could do nothing but protest, and the Sicilians con tinued to frame their constitution, which, monarchical in form, was adopted by the parliament on the 10th of the following July, and on the next day, the Duke of Genoa, second son of Carlo Alberto, was rivited to occupy the throne. Still the king's necessities in his
;ontinental dominions allowed him merely to protest.
At last, General Filangicri (Prince de Satriano) was dispatched to Sicily, and commenced the reconquest of the island by the capture of Messina (September 7, 1848) after an obstinate resistance of two days. Ile zealous but somewhat iudiacreet interference of the British and French representatives at the court of Naples, and the approach of a British and a French fleet, checked the progress of the king's arms, and raised high the hopes of the islanders, who had time to put all their towns into a state of defence. After long negotiations the king granted an ultimatum, offering every guarantee for constitutional liberty that any sensible people could desire. This decree, dated Feb. 28th, 1849, granted to Sicily, among other privileges, a general amnesty ; a resident viceroy, failing the residence of the king; a separate Siciliau ministry; the responsibility of ministers, who must be native Sicilians; a separate budget ; a parliament consisting of two chambers—peers and deputies ; and a resident minister for Sicily at the court of Naples. On the 9th of March following the Sicilian parliament having considered this ultimatum, refused to accept it, ordered a lev6e-en-masse, and were left to fight out their battle single-handed. The struggle did not last long. The Prince of Satriano took the lines of Taormina (April 2), Catania (April 6); Agoato and Note were soon mastered; and Palermo sent a deputation to announce a surrender at discretion on the 23rd of ApriL Some attempts were made however to continue the couteat in the capital, but the prince at the head of his troops took possession of it on tho 15th of May. And thus in Sicily, as elsewhere at this period, a paroxysmal effort to obtain constitutional liberty, ended in abortion.