ThemarquisofMontferratwasrecommendedbyhismatureageandfairreputation，bythechoiceoftheadventurers，andthewishesoftheGreeks；norcanIbelievethatVenice，themistressofthesea，couldbeseriouslyapprehensiveofapettylordatthefootoftheAlps。^3ButthecountofFlanderswasthechiefofawealthyandwarlikepeople:hewasvaliant，pious，andchaste；intheprimeoflife，sincehewasonlythirty—twoyearsofage；adescendantofCharlemagne，acousinofthekingofFrance，andacompeeroftheprelatesandbaronswhohadyieldedwithreluctancetothecommandofaforeigner。Withoutthechapel，thesebarons，withthedogeandmarquisattheirhead，expectedthedecisionofthetwelveelectors。ItwasannouncedbythebishopofSoissons，inthenameofhiscolleagues:\"Yehavesworntoobeytheprincewhomweshouldchoose:byourunanimoussuffrage，BaldwincountofFlandersandHainaultisnowyoursovereign，andtheemperoroftheEast。\"Hewassalutedwithloudapplause，andtheproclamationwasreechoedthroughthecitybythejoyoftheLatins，andthetremblingadulationoftheGreeks。
Bonifacewasthefirsttokissthehandofhisrival，andtoraisehimonthebuckler:andBaldwinwastransportedtothecathedral，andsolemnlyinvestedwiththepurplebuskins。Attheendofthreeweekshewascrownedbythelegate，inthevacancyofthepatriarch；buttheVenetianclergysoonfilledthechapterofSt。Sophia，seatedThomasMorosiniontheecclesiasticalthrone，andemployedeveryarttoperpetuateintheirownnationthehonorsandbeneficesoftheGreekchurch。^4WithoutdelaythesuccessorofConstantineinstructedPalestine，France，andRome，ofthismemorablerevolution。ToPalestinehesent，asatrophy，thegatesofConstantinople，andthechainoftheharbor；
^5andadopted，fromtheAssiseofJerusalem，thelawsorcustomsbestadaptedtoaFrenchcolonyandconquestintheEast。Inhisepistles，thenativesofFranceareencouragedtoswellthatcolony，andtosecurethatconquest，topeopleamagnificentcityandafertileland，whichwillrewardthelaborsbothofthepriestandthesoldier。HecongratulatestheRomanpontiffontherestorationofhisauthorityintheEast；inviteshimtoextinguishtheGreekschismbyhispresenceinageneralcouncil；
andimploreshisblessingandforgivenessforthedisobedientpilgrims。PrudenceanddignityareblendedintheanswerofInnocent。^6InthesubversionoftheByzantineempire，hearraignsthevicesofman，andadorestheprovidenceofGod；theconquerorswillbeabsolvedorcondemnedbytheirfutureconduct；
thevalidityoftheirtreatydependsonthejudgmentofSt。