'HIBERNIA' AT NAPLES: 28th Feb. 1849. 'Having ordered Commander Key of H.M. steam-sloop _Bulldog_ to proceed to Leghorn with a supply of provisions for the _Bellerophon_, he is directed, after he shall have delivered them, to join your Lordship for the purpose of rendering any protection or refuge that may be desirable, to British subjects in the event of disturbances occurring in Piedmont. 'You will therefore take Commander Key under your orders and employ the _Bulldog_ accordingly as long as her presence appears necessary, sending her back to Naples whenever you think her services can be dispensed with, directing Commander Key to call at Leghorn on his route, for the purpose of conveying any communications which his Excellency Sir George Hamilton, H.M. Minister at Florence, or Captain Baynes, the Senior Naval Officer may have to forward. 'W. PARKER, _Vice-Admiral_.' * * * * * On March 4, 1849, Sir W. Parker tells Lord Hardwicke to remain at Genoa or at Spezzia. * * * * * _Private._ H.M.S. 'HIBERNIA,' NAPLES: 4th March 1849. 'MY DEAR LORD HARDWICKE, 'Accept my thanks for your two acceptable letters of this 24 and 28 ult. I wish I could send you an answer more deserving of them but we are now getting under weigh for Palermo with the _Queen_, _Powerful_, and _Terrible_ in C°., carrying the King's ultimatum of the terms of adjustment with the Neapolitans, on which we have obtained some favourable and necessary modifications altho' I doubt whether the Sicilians will accept them. I think however that they ought to do so and I shall do my best to induce them. 'I think it will be better that you should remain at Genoa or Spezzia for the present, resorting to either place at your discretion. 'My family left me three days ago by the _Antelope_ for Malta or they would unite in every kind wish with, my dear Lord Hardwicke, 'Yours very faithfully, 'W. PARKER.' * * * * * On March 12, 1849, the armistice with Austria ended, and the following proclamation clearly shows with what eager hope the Genoese welcomed war. * * * * * 'GENOESE! 'Our brothers, who for seven months, have been groaning under the Austrians, are waiting for us: Italy for many centuries has been called the "Servant of the Stranger": banishment to the words! Perhaps the country will desire great and terrible sacrifices from us; let us prepare ourselves. Let us assist our brave Army which is about to renew the wonders of her courage: remember that this is the second trial and that it ought to be the last. Conquer or die. 'And now, Genoese, my work is finished, I am preparing to depart in a short time; presenting myself to the King and parliament, I can tell them with safety without being contradicted: Genoa is tranquil. 'DOMENICO BUFFA, 'Minister of Agriculture, &c. &c., for the City of Genoa.' GENOA: 14th March 1849.