The National Register.
London, England, 1818-07-19 00:00:00

ASSIZE COURT OF PARIS.

~~.,1

• Tim •COUNT OR TIM Coavrcr.—Second hearing for
proof of the Identity between Pierre or Louis Alexander
Coignard, sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, and the Couirt
de Pooh' de St. Helene, Lieutenant Colo::ri, Itiffeht (
St. Louis and Calatrava, and officer of the Legion of Honour.
This .cause has given r!:e to lunch discussion. It is ob.
served that the priionerar actnally in possession.of the sunk
to which he is asserted •to pretend ; and that he holds in .his
.hands the proofs of the distinctions with which he was decc-.
rated in Spain, and the appoinrmentsand honours he has re-
ceived its France. It is besides agreed, that the question of
rank does not come Within the province of the.Cvnt t of As-
size, but ought to be decided by a civilirilurnal. All dire
would doubtless be tine, if the question of .rank realLy.oc-
cupied the Court of Assize, but its object is.notto prove that
the ;prisoner is either Coignard or the Count, but merely to
ascertain whether he really be the individual who, under the
name of 'Coignard, was in the year 9 condemned to 14 )ears'
imprisurtment.lThelnestion ofidentaty must not be:onfounded
with that of rank, though-tire same evidence may be made to
apply:to both.
The prisoner appeared ibis day in a different dress froze
that which he wore on the former hearing. His countenance •
too was paler, and more downcast. On entering he respect-
fully.selated the Court and the Spectators..
A another of witnesses were called by the prisoner.
M.'frenil the llauben, formerly .diseetor of the Hospitals.
in Spain,diad seen the prisoner MI SU, at-Malaga. He stated
himself te.be a French emigrant.of a noble family in Poitou.
On the retreat of the French onSetlile, the prisoner was
intrusted with the care of 160,000 francs, which he faithfully
'preserved in the midst of considerahled augers. The witness
was present one day when the prisoner met with a Spanish
officer, and they recognized each other as old.compainons,
having served tog:therm Buenos-Ayres.
President.—Prisoner, .why did you say that you were-from
Voiten, when, according to your declarations, that is not the
country in which your family resides P
Prisoner.—l was presented +to the witness by an M. lan-.
titan, who may have rnade a.nristako as. to the.piageof..ny
Meth.
Here some letters west toad, signed Count 4Nrutisde Ott
,Helene, addressed to the Mayor of Bas Poitou, in which the-
writer stated that he had bee* born in that commune, as his
mother passed that way.on a journey, and requested a notarial.
copy of the register of his birth. •
The prisoner acknowledged that the letters were written
by Wm. He had never known with certainty the place of
Ids birth, lint basilic heard that his mother had been delivered
nu the jeurney,referred so in the letter, he applied to ascer-
tain the fact. lie had 'since learned .that it was his seeend •
brother who Wil/Lboraos that occtuioaca the Std September,
'Zr'.
The Advocate-general asked why Ittihad hitherto described
himself man only son?
liriainer—My father was a very severe Inas, who,. daring •
thesidthie-of his life, scarce spoke :tan .words to me • !ma
.knec etlrat Iliad had a brother, though.l was not sore Whether
Ise et myself had been borifrin je Vendee.
~lltrexamination of. witnesses for the prosecationiwas re. -
suared.i
Several swore psdhively that they knew tire prisoner loalre •
Ceipnarti. ;One was a woman who said be had been godia-
ther to herchild. One of the kespen of -the gardenottk•
. recognized him as having served with him in the
grenadiers of the Convention. A woman who bad been up-.
laic:tied with Coignard In the robbery in.lBol at firebisesi-
tated, but knew him by his voice. Madame Mammas, whose
lather's house had-been robbed by Coignard; swore to hies
pesitleely. "Shough young at the time, she bad taken par-
ticular notice bins during one trial for that offence . • and
recollected haeieg said to-her father "What a pity that..sick
a handsome young man .should be a father,"
Two women, In
innately acquainted with the family of' Gloignardyaeso mon
tha the prisoner was that individual.
A last witness was introduced, escorted lag two grenadiers
All eyes were filmed towards him. He is a young man
whose resemblance to the prisoner is astonishing. The saute
outline of the head, the same nose, the same chin. There was
no difkrenee;r: the features, except that which appeared the
natural effect li the diderence of age.
The, witness i.eclaredtis name to be Alexander Coignard,
his age 29. .He was born at' Langeais, in the departfuent of
Indesfet Loire, and is at present a prisoner in dte.Cenriergetres •
on a charge of robber,.
•
President-41)o ynu snow the prisoner ?
The witness hesitated and appeared greatly moved. The
prisoner looked s steadily at him without appearing in the
slightest degree troubled.. At last the witness said It is
M. de Pt. otis."

Prisouer—Yon recognise tire..prisoner as Conat de Eoltis •
, Witness (very mach agitated)--Yes,,eiir..
r rid en is emu] h. Let the wit new* tbdrAw.
prisonerAtpt bio eye tixed.on themltneesi ssikto retired
kritli Isis Itegd isseßned on his brNwat. :Xlie•Presideat.tid Igift
choose to, ress liir.examination farther 4 lest he shooldreally be
the brother of. the prisoner: the.Cnitri wonld not :einset
from him a •fialtitice equallf .tcppgaant to the law and to. •
C.

egitlent (tothe prisoner)—Do you know the witness who •
has withdrnau.

Prisoner—Tws :-lihaec.alreedy stated that A. Coignard, for
1 likens .1. have the inisfersosie to be taken, served under my
1 ennisuniol in sSpaiii. nit ikritness presented himself to me.ea
his dirovserrauil itotitykriAniy.protretion.
President.—For what did he want your protection?
Prisons/-43,yets.know people.are Always disposed to pale.
their court to men in limier.
'floe pi isoner then op pdied- in r a , further .delay, in..orsier
iifforil him the opportunity or ()ringing forturd other
.nesses• in his fit...otia ; .and Allot, the conseatodt?
'presecittor, the nest hcaeiug was fixed for Alen
stf the pieeent month.
At yousr.r.womiiii, caning .herself the Ct),
with wholes the prisoner lived. wrs.arreste '
i•agd lies alreedy..usidersone awes:Ai:4r
of Instruction. ~r
...............wiiiiiits.
.
A cor:ous eircisinstance ii-.°

ahirinru Ism mi(ienprninjoon, on witieh the villains effected is .'"''""
their escape. Nit); the auistenee .or ilvighbouni the Leven, JOS( above Mindy
wounds gm( ilre:•sed, and they were conveyed home. MIS. tell' bank "t the river. sei
Alder has since miscarried, and lies now with Mau hopes ut a "/"o
il
ill the
atrrar
•rneo s ery. it up alive in his mai
The ipte T.(ln sew, orriloo ja...M.4oo4hicateceo,,e, est,,,birex It weighedaboul.ll
:bas -014414sisbirgli
pre•
•