on 6 december 1798, the french first republic declared war on sardinia. charles emmanuel was forced to abdicate all his territories on the italian mainland and to withdraw to the island of sardinia. the royal family was ordered to leave turin immediately after the abdication, and as the king had a nervous attack, the departure was organized by clothilde. upon the wish of the duchess of aosta, clothilde successfully asked general clausel to allow the duke of aosta to accompany the rest of the family rather than to stay as a french hostage. she left the crown jewels behind, but took all jewels defined as private property and accepted a sum of money from the finance minister after having been assured by a priest that it would be in accordance with religious principles to do so. the family departed from the royal palace during the night, escorted by 30 italian and 30 french soldiers and a french commissionaire to the border: when the wagon was temporarily delayed on their way from turin by protesting crowds, charles emmanuel commented to clothilde that this incident of loyalty would comfort him in exile.