The Statesman. — London, England, 1818-02-16 00:00:00

yr" , • • • ',I'M of the witnesses herr present, he married the daughter of a wealthy Lord. who died in the United State*, after bearing him several children. In the prison of the Bicetre, at Rouen, he hoaxed his fel.' low-prisoners and the keepers, by asserting that be had been robbed of a ring containing two valuable diamonds, which diamonds came, he said, from a Rsgent—Yee, Gentlemen, that was his expression,a Regent—end that they were a present to him from the Princess Charlotte of Brazil. In one of these interrogatories I noted down the following remarkable words:— s• I look like a resent, bet I was a Coronet In Spanish America—and before that, Captain of Engineers, under Coronet Williams, In the United States." In September, 1815, he landed et St. Malo, pro. aided with a passport, mowing to be American, in which he was designated as Charks de Navarre, citizen of the United States. From St. Melo he ' proceeded to Nantes, and then along the Loire to Varesnes, in the arrondissement of Siemer. Here the son-in-law of a Lord, a Captain of Engineers, way more, a Coronet, to use his own espression, en tered as an humble pedestrian a small public-house, 'keeled on the road from Nantes to Paris. He was dressed in a nankeen jacket, breeches of sail-cloth, and without stockings. Matherin Bruneau.—How can you say so? I al ways had stockings. The )(pm's ATTOBISSY.—After wandering about some time in the department of Maine and Loire, and committing various acts of swindling on the fa mily of Plielipeau, the whole of which will appear at one of the neat sittings, Brunette was appre heeded at St. Malo. He soon made an attempt to escape from prison, and wrote to the Governor of the Island of Guernsey, requesting him to inform Ids Britannic Majesty that the son of Louis XV[. was in confinement. This letter, signed Dauphin Bourbon, was intercepted, end Bruneau was sent to Rouen. In the prison . of that city he found convicts who assisted him with their advice, and endeavoured to procure him adherents abroad. He arrived in January, 1816, in the meanest apparel, and a five franc piece las all tbet the pretended Louis XVII. 'possessed in the world. He did not suffer himself to be cast down by distress ; but soon found in the prison an employment that perfectly suited him. Tie :fell to work to make wooden shoes, and thus be trayed the secret of his birth. • The soi-disant Charles de Navarre met with a dope. A man, named Vignerot, came with truly comic re spect to visit this intriguer, kissed his band, took him for Louis XVII. and thought himself highly Ito floored in being permitted to leave him several pieces 'tit gold. This money was employed by Bruneau to hire one Larcher, a prisoner like himself, to draw up neclemstions. This wretch was burned to death, a victim of his own imprudence, or perhaps of a new crime which he meditated, in setting fire to the straw of his cell. For the rest, he wits • complete adept in the art of imposture, end exercised the sacred functions without any right—a false Priest was worthy of be ing in the pay of a false King. Total'', une of the ac cused, made abundance of copies of all these papers, and thus did this living press propagate scandal and Imposture. Let us now come to Madame Dumont. She goes to see the Prisoner ; he is well ciothe , i, well fed, gingles money in his pockets, is called Monsieur. — Neither his drunkenness nor his swearing prevents this woman from manifesting en interest for him ; Madame Dumont defrays his expeoces. The keeper of the Bicetre, who has been removed, acknowledges to have received from 1,200 to 1,500 francs of Madame Dumont. It is certain that she spa red "nothing to increase She number of his adherents. A sea! was found nith the pompous inscription— Louis XVII. King of the French. The civil list was abundantly supplied.— Branson becomes an accomplice in the plans of Bru weau ; they shut themselves up to concert measures for their execution. libois, the Keeper, was pre sent at these conferences, which %ere enlivened by good cheer. The plate of peas which it is customary to serve up at the King's table on Good Friday was also provided for Breutiau, and Branson shared his good fortune. It its true that it was not all pleasure for him, as Broneau struck,him more than once, and qe confidant's face often exhibited bloody marks or the power of his master. You see, said the King's Attorney, as he concluded his statement,. what kind of a man it is that has given himself out for so august a personage. Every thing betrays the lowness of his mind as well as the meanness of his origin. To see, to hear him, must be sufficient to open the eyes of the most credulous, end the evidence will overwhelm the impostor with confusion. The witnesses were called. The first s was M. Ar deux, formerly a Vendean officer, wearing the Cross Of St. Louis. He deposed as follows:- 1n 1795, 1 found Broneau begging at Augry.— Be said that he was of the fatuity of Vesting. Ma dame tie Turpin, a very benevolent lady, gave him hospitality. He then assumed the name of Baron de Vezins. For about a year he dined at the table of his benefactress. M. de Vezins, the uncle, having come to Angry, unmasked the young adventurer.— lie staled that his nephew, was io London. Ma. (lame de Turpin sent Brunette to his native vil lage, where he was soon recognised by the children, who said to him, What is it you, Bruneau ? Your fine clothes make you look like a gentleman. I Some time afterwards Madame de Turpin had the kindness to take Bruneau back again, but made him dine with the servants and look after her dogs.—(A general laugh.) PRECIDENT.—Do you admit that you had to look after the dogs ? Bruneath—.Ye, indeed ; I admit nothing of the sort. The second witness, Rene Montauban, called Si mon, who, in 1795, was keeper of the chateau of Augry, made nearly the same deposition ; but added one very important circumstance. Having taken Bruneau to his village by order of the Countess de Turpin, he led him to his sister's, whom he called by her name and kissed; she refused to keep him, and sent him to one of his uncles, who would not have t•im either. PR CSIDENT.—When it was discovered that he was not tfie Baron de Vezina, 'what was he called ? •Witness.—Sometimes Broom, at others Gredia. THE STATESMAN. Pant osteT.—Yoe are sure that this is tbe Maths rin Broseau, who was born at Vezina Witnemi—Yeet vety iadte. " • Bruneen.-- , I was here at Versailles sod baptised at St. Denis. The third witness was M. Rene Pierre Quinton, Priest, almoner to Madame 'l'orpin io 1995. Ile confirms the whole of the preceding depositions. The accused stasvessredr out a declaration which it is impossible to understand, and which has neither coherence nor sense :—" I cannot understand'you," tiaid he to the President ;." my religion is not year's. N KING'S ATTORSINAS it is not our intention to conceal what is good, any mere than whit is bad, we will ask the accused if he recollects a fact which is in his favour. Madame de Tenpin has deposed that at the age of I I years, Broneau seeing that she was envies, about her nephew, who was serving in La Vendee, took a horse, repaired to the head.quar.. ust's, and brought her the Intelligence which she so much wished for. Accused.—Do you recollect this ? Bruneau.—Not I, indeed ; but I don't wonder at that. The President broke op the sitting. There yet remsio to be heard about 60 witnesses, among whom are some very important ones, such as the sister and other relations of the shoemaker of Vezins. The whole auditory retired laegleiug at the credulity of the dupes that he has made. Faswzroar, Fes. 7.—The Baron d'Anstett, Rus sian Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipo tentiary to the Germanic Confederation, has trans mitted to the Diet a letter from the Emperor of Russia, in which his Imperial Majesty says, " All the nations of Europe are closely united by the in dissoluble bonds of peace and paternal concord, founded on the imperishable basil of the religion of our Saviour. The tranquillity, welfare, and inde pendence of the Germanic Confederation will form in future a new rampart for the security of Europe. In directing all its efforts to the accomplishment of so salutary ■n object, the Diet will effectoslly con tribute to consolidate the work of the Almighty, con fided to the common care of all Sovereigns and of all States, united for the same object, which is solely the consolidation of political and social order, re established in Europe by the negociatians of Vienna and. Paris. Uniting our wishes to the wishes of so many Sovereigns, full of the hope of seeing re alised those important malts, we congratulate oor. selves on being called upon to enter into relations of friendship winh the High and most Serene Germanic Confederation represented by the Diet, towards which we think. it our defy to express, by these pre sents, our constant and invariable consideration." PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE 07CLOCK, Hank Stuck 4914 5 per Cent. Navy 10iit 3 per Cent. Red. 80612 India Bonds 96 97 p 3 per Cent. Consols 79iii 60 Stock Omni, fur Acc. 5O Long Ann. 901 4 per Cent. 990 Exchequer Bills le 47 p THE STArEsm.A-- LONDON: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1 /11 8. We have received New York and other American Papers to the 20th ult. There is nothing in them to countenance tl r. rumour of Mr. BAGOT having quit ted Washington, in consequence of the Americans haring taken possession of the Floridas ; but they furnish a Message from the PRESIDENT of the United States to Congtess, announcing the suppression of the establishment at Amelia Island, without the effu sion of blood, and the paperi explaining this trans action, submitted at the same time, also appear in the National Intelligencer of the 15tb. We have not room for them to-day. The PRESIDENT has issued Proclamations, announc ing that Treaties of Peace and Friendship have been ratified between the United States and the Meno mance and Ottoes—tribes of Indians; and the Mil ledgeville Journal of the 6th states, ,bat the detach. agent of the militia from Georgia had reached Fliut river, and commenced erecting the fortifications direct ed by General GAINES ; that the Indiana had sent deputies to sue for peace, on the conditions formerly rejected by them; and that it was believed in camp hostilities would cease without the further effeaion of blood. No late intelligence had been received from the regulars in Fort Scott. The amok ea the DIA* of WumitiripS, At %shish intelligence was received by esprem on Satyr. day, is noticed in the Paris Papers of Wednesday and Thursday last ; but no satisfactory • information is furnished by them. They agree in the chief point with the hasty and mysterious account transmitted to our Government, on Saturday, which stated, that " on the 11th instantAWedneeday last), at one o'clock in the morning, a pistol ball was fired at the carriage of the Duke of WELLINGTON, at the moment his Grace was entering his hotel. No person was wounded ; the carriage even was not touched. At the noise of the report, the sentinels cried out to arms, and assembled at their post; but the night was se dark, that they could not dis cover the villain. They looked in rain for the ball. The Duke of WEr.t.tsGroN beard the report, but attached no importance to it. Ilis first thought was, that the musket of one of the sentinels had accidentally gone off. They were in search of the criminal; some cue had already been obtained which may lead to his discovery ; and no efforts will be left unattempted for that porpobe.—The moment the KING nas informed of the circumstance, hit Ma jesty sent the Duke DE RICIIELtIiG and M. the Count PE CAM, to express his bettor at so atrodon to attempt., M. DE Caw was efidellVoollTiflg ff, collect evbry Murtatttian which might lead to a discomy of lb* eliander." 'in addition 'to these particulars, and the - brief • Reader uodees in the Paris Journals, the _. will find some farther details in the Private Cot .espoadencein another column. There is some difference in the ac counts contained in the private letters. It is stated through another private channel that a certain foreign Officer had become the object of suspicion in this affair, and that more positive intelligence on this head was expected. This account bears that the Duke had that day given a diplomatic dinner, after which he went to an assembly at the boast of Lady CRAW FORD, in the rue d'Arfjou ; whence it is conjectured the assassin most have watched his return home, and accompanied his Grace's carriage through the streets, the coachman having observed a man running with all his might, as if to reach the gate of the hotel be fore the carriage should arrive there.. The French Government had assigned to the Duke of WILLING- Tom a Guard of Honour, consisting of 24 men, and commanded by a subaltern officer. The Legion of the Isere had furnished the geerd on that day. Two. salaries are posted at the front of the hotel towards die street, and two others, at night, towards the side of the Champs Etysee. In spite of these precis dons the assassin had the boldness to steal be hind the sentry-box, as was before mentioned, and thence to file so close to the entrance, while the carriage was passing rapidly through the gateway, that the ball flew across the court. yard, and struck the wall of the hotel.----Be fore the post left Paris, it was said that the Police had obtained important information, and that they expected to trace this daring attempt to murder the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied furies to some miscreant who was sot a Frenchman. Every eser don is making to discover the retreat of the assasin, end none are permitted to leave Paris after sun-set, nor before sun-rising, or at any time, without un dergoing a strict rumination by the Police, who are stationed at several barriers for that purpose. • We , meat not conceal, however, that some of the private letters from Paris speak of the affair of the shot said to be fired at the Duke of WELLINGTON, as a device ow the part of those who wish for a pretest to keep the Allied Armies in France. A Green Bag, and a Secret Committee may, perhaps, give as another version of the air-gen, and the happy escape from this ball that could oat be found, and the " speaking potatoes," that told such a dreadful tale. We give a report of the carious cube of the new claimant of the French Throne, under the.title of the DaupbtaC.which occupies a large )rtion of the Paris Peperg:Tteiorbrost•-''' ?silk piajilicad against the prisoner, but from the contralti under which they speak, this is not to be wondered at. Flanders and Ilamburgh Mails have arrived. The long-announced meeting of the Continental Sove reigns, it is said, will take place at Frankfort, in the month of May. The German Papers announce a great victory obtained by the Turkish, Governor of Egypt over the Wachabites. There is no principle so clearly laid down in the constitutional records of oar liberty as the right to resist taxation without Represents. lion. The enemies of this principle are right in say ing it was what animated the American Revolution. It was what gave justice as well as 'access to the American cause. If ►he Americans possessed this right, and it is now allowed that they did, can it be denied to the People of Greit Britain ?—Yes, it Is denied, and in a way that mast mite the indignation and disgust of sit who witness the manner in which the just demands of the People are rejected. The Petition to the House of Commons from the parish of St. George's, Hanover-square, which manfully added the expression of a resoletion on the part of the Pe titioners to cease paying tones, unless a Parliamentary Reform was instituted, bar been styled "an auda cious libel," and the Courier has gone to the inde cent length of saying it should have been " kicked out of the House."—The Petitions of the People, which the House of Commons pretends to re geestot. are often treated with sufficiently little, ceremony; and there is, perhaps, but a trifling difference between indecently and wantonly tramp ling upon the rights of men, and kicking their Peti tions to —; but we really think this mark of in. dignity would hate been a very seperfloous proof of the disposition of " the Honourable House," in re gard to Reform. It is attempted to contioue the cry of disaffection and rebellion, because such petitions are presented to the Rouse. 6 '. Shall we be told that no disaffection exists in the country after this unparalleled demon stration of it ?" It is a pretty open demonstration certainly—we hope it will not be deemed necessary to establish a Secret Committee to decide upon it.— Bat what are - the arguments employed to refato this claim of the People ? why, not one word of reason, bat that the Americans held such doctrine, and that it most needs lead to revolution. This is airway, the charge, and the bog-bear set up by the horror-struck pensioners. But we will reply to them in the words of Dr. Swtrr to Mr. POPE, and show what was the opinion of that eminent philoso. phe r and divine oo the subject of Reform. As to whit is called a resolution principle," says be, 66 my opluioti it this, %at Wheiteret those evils, which • , * 4ll usually atteod e follow a violent cheep of G o ., vernment, weft not, in probabil% se p sru i doet as the grievance we surer dltder a present powe r . then the public gqod will justify such a reeehiss on - As to Parliament, I, adored the wisdom of thin G s ,, Chic institution, which made them Annual; and ( was confident our liberty could never be placed ape s a firm foundation until that ancient law Isere m acaw' among us ; for, who sees not, that while suds 4 8 ., semblies are permitted to have a longer duration. there grows up a commerce of corruption bera t e s the Ministry and the Deputies, wherein they b ot h find their accounts, to the manifest danger of .lit ie ,,„ ty ! which traffic would neither answer the desi• A for expence, if Parliament mel'once a year." --....-_ . There is nothing against which Ministers h awse strongly set their faces as Reform. Even the gsp, . abuses in the Scottish Boroughs in tie Election et ' Magistrates, and the arbitrary assessment of loot taxes, though the Crown has, by a direct interferences altered the Constitution of one of those Boroughs, me. not be introduced as the foundation of legislative din. - cession, for fear of its leading to the general tiitesti ou of Parliamentary Reform ! if there be this obvini s connection between the arbitrary and corropt seaters pursued by the self•elected bciies who have mad, ' • such glaring infringements on the rights and prepay. ' ties of the Scottish Communities, and the ttsarN general, but net less iniquitous plan of Govers osi t which denies the right of a taxed People to a Mr Re. presentation, which spurns at the Petitions of a taxed nation, and employs chains and dungeons to silent, the voice of complaint—we trust the franchised iiibishitaxts of these Boroughs will now, more than ever, see the necessity of not only enjoying the ' power conferred by their local elective privi. leges, bet also that a Reform in Parliament is necessary to a restoration of their chartered rights; for so long as Corruption is upheld by corrupt ie. "- struments, assuming the Government, end centres'. ing the rights, properties, and immenitiss of the r People, there can bes.pe Atte choice of their &pm. sentatives, asr6 me ißiebte In the system, however .' j i , absurd and iniquitous, which has produced sa c k l a . 4 meotable elects. The Botoogh System is th a t o f the 4, Baroughmongers—they both claim the right of tat- :- ing and governing, without being accountable to the I I Community for whom they pretend to act—a oysters fraught with absurdity sod injustice, and perpetuated r upon the ruin of all popular right. The effect of this mysterious and selfish system of Borough management . by the self-elected Magistrates and Councils, eke 0 have set aside the ancient rights of their feller, townsmen, on the prosperity and meows of the' towns which they crietroul, have been of the asst cruel and dilapidating nature, sod quite iw uniseri with the mournful consequences of the system et • policy which the nation has seen put in practicsupow - a rpore extended scale ty the Government of the Boroughmongers and the war and pensiouing fic- tions. It is but too apparent that the public pre. peaty of many of the Boroughs in this Kingdom him been greatly lessened and abused by magisterial cepidi- ty, and debts contracted, which are severely felt by the citizens, and will continue to be felt by their Isiett posterity—that were this public property now entire, agreeable to their original Charters, instead of the pittance which, with difficulty, is made to pay the interest of the debt and unavoidable sixpences of the Boroughs, the annual revenues might have been more than quadruple. Nor can, those upon whom the ma- nifold taxes levied to support this system ascertain $ what has become of the money thus assessed for a freedom which they, : in many instances, do not ea- joy ? nave not then such communities reason to come plain, and demand the exercise of their chartered rights, as indispensible to the welfare of their socies ties) We have bailed the exertioos of the Scottish Boroughs for emancipation from such galling circus. stances, and we still desire to see them persevere to procure a system of government suited to the en- lightened state of society, and. the trite spirit of 4 , 'rational liberty, calculeted, as all systems of go- vernment ought to be, to create a reciprocal cool- ' deuce between the Electors and elected. Booed men can gain nothing by acting ender the re► sent miserable system, and every liberal minded! ' 1 - - men most shudder at contributing to the prolongs. lion of its pestiferous existence. None will cling to the close system bet those who fattest by the job. Bing end corruption to which it gives rise. blinistent may strive to throw a damp on the exertions of the, Fr lends of Boroughs Reform, for they acknowledge it is inimical to their system; but without appealing to them for Constitutions, the Public may demand, and we presume the Courts of Law will not refuse them, the restoration of their ancient Charters; and the system s of corruption in this Distance must fall amidst the execrations of all who admire fair, open, and ho- nourable conduct, and who set any value ou the Public favour and esteem. On Saturday evening her MAJFSTT had a dinsef party, et which the PRINCE REGENr and the Prince of HOMBURG were present. The Pricer , of lic,sz-llosisetto visited her M" JEITY, and the Princess Aucu,r.s and F.LiZABIIiI yeterday afternoon soon after four o'clock. 11 1 . 0 Serene Highness is about to remove from Gair.LO!ea lintel, to Abe house in St. James's Palace occup ied by the late Mr. BRAVEN, the principsl Page to the Ktr4(.. His Serene ILehness is expected to remote into it in a day or too.