In spite of this, and in the face of it, Francis of Austria, by a treaty concluded on January 11, 1814, acknowledged Joachim’s dominion and sovereignty over the States he ruled, and Joachim, as a matter of form, returned the compliment. Thus Naples was definitely placed in the ranks of France’s enemies, Austria agreeing to furnish 30,000 men for Italy, and Naples 30,000, the allied forces to be under the command of the King of Naples, or, in his absence, of the officer highest in rank in the Austrian army. This, together with a promise that Francis would use his good offices to bring about a reconciliation between Naples and England, as well as with Austria’s allies, was the published treaty, but there were several secret clauses, some of which seem to indicate a lack of humour in the high contracting parties. Francis, having acknowledged Joachim’s sovereignty, pledged himself to obtain the renunciation of it from Ferdinand (as though the consent of that individual made any difference to anybody!), while Joachim promised, on his part, to indemnify Ferdinand, thereby acknowledging that his own claim was that of _force majeure_ and nothing else; and yet the principle of Ferdinand’s Divine Right was never called into question! But at the same time Murat was in correspondence with General Miollis commanding the French troops in Rome, and with Barbou and Fouché, assuring them of his devotion and attachment to France, and endeavouring to explain away his treaty with Francis on the ground of political necessity! Miollis withdrew into Sant’ Angelo, and the Neapolitan troops forced the little body of French under Lascolette to shut themselves up in the citadel of Civita Vecchia. But now, after having inaugurated his campaign, Murat’s indecision prevented him from giving any definite orders, and his generals instantly began to suspect him of playing them false. Proceeding into the States of Rome, he found anarchy prevailing in every direction, and, already torn with conflicting emotions, he found himself the target of generals, magistrates, and Austrian Ministers, who maintained that he had not acted up to his part of the treaty. [Illustration: JOACHIM, KING OF NAPLES. Photo copyright by Neurdein Freres.]