The Sun.
London, England, 1818-09-04 00:00:00

ROMAN CATHOLICS.

We feel ourselvei much obliged to the Corre-
,pundeDt who iris favoured us with the follow-
iitg, we will not merely say affecting, but afflicting
7,,olative, and we cordially join with him, in asking
what security have we that the PAPISTS, who
profess that their Religion is wholly unchanged
aud unchangeable, would not act in the
here recorded, if they could once obtain the as-
tendency, towards which our Government AVoiil4l.
certainly open the way, if it were ever, by farther
concession, to suffer them to obtain any portion
of political Power ? The PAPISTS have already
the fullest toleration for their ReLtoton. If they
are sincere, they will be contented with that pri-
vilege, and not betray pride and ambition by
aspiring to political authority in a Protestant
State.

The following is a short and affecting account
of the Martyrdom of the Rev. M. RocHETTE4
and three young Noblemen that were executed
with him, at Toulouse, on the 19th of February
1762, for pr fessing the Protestant Religion.—
What security have we Protestants had from the
Cut holies since tha above period, that we should
grant them their claims, and thereby run the risk
of in hue this (England) becoming a Catholic
and Blitous be compelled to acknow-
ledge a foreign jurisdiction and behold such spec-
tacles as the following

The day before yesterday the prisoners were
tried by the two Chambers of the Parlia-
ment of Toulouse, and yesterday they ' were
beheaded. All the four Alartyrs behaved
wish invincible constancy and firmness of
wind, attended with a cheerfulness and serenity
that was adapted to excite the highest admira-
tion. They finished their days like christian
heroes. As soon as they beard their sentence
read, ►hey beheld each other steadfastly, and said,

" Let 113 then die since things are so and let us
. pray to God to accept the sacrifice that we are
uow to n►ake of our lives to him and to the

truth." Upon which M. RocHRTTe prayed aloud
in the u►ost moving and pathetic manner. They
then embraced two of their companions, who
A' er e condemned to the galleys, and congratulated
tenderly another of them who had been set at
liberty. Monsieur Billot, one of the Secretaries,

%t hp was present at this first scene of their trials

never speaks Of it without shedding tears. The
Martyrs were next committed to the care of the
four principal Curates, whom the Attorney-Gene-
ral sent to attempt their conversion. But the
exhortations of these Ecclesiastics produced as
little effect as those of the Abbe Coutezae, who
had been in the prison every day for three months,
fled Lad been so often empowered by the Magis-
trates to offer them their lives and their liberty
on condition of their embracing the Runtish Re-
ligion, an offer which they disdainfully rejected.
M. Rochette begged of these Ecclesiastics
that they would put an end to their useless im-
portunities, and not continue to trouble hint and
his three friends In their last moments, but sot
fer them to die in peace expressing at the same
time, his grateful sense of their well-meant zeal.
(The of the Curates threatened hint and his com-
panions with dam nation; upon which the worths-
Minister replied, with his usual serenity, " that
they were going to appear before a more equi-
table Judge than he was, even before that merci-
ful Judge who had shed his blood for their salva-
tion." At the same time he exhorted his fellow-mar-
tyrs to fortitude and perseverance ; and when, the
Curates interrupted him with accusations of heresy,
and with pompons discourses about the power of
granting the remission of sins, which was lodged
in the Church, he told them, that the Protest-
alit Religion acknowledged no such power, not
looked for the pardon of sin front any other
source than the mercy of God in Jesus Christ.
Being delivered about two o'clock flow the
inipminity of these priests, tire pious martyrs
employed those moments in prayer and praises
to that God who had enabled (Item to behold
death without terror or dismay, and encouraged
each other to persevere unto the end. While
these good men thanked the centinels and keepers
of the prison for the kind treatment they had
received front them, the latter burst into tears,
and shed the anguish of humanity upon the mar-
tyrdom of their prisoners. The minister perceiv-
ing one of the soldiers weeping still more bit-
terly than the rest, addressed himself to him thus,
Aly good friend, are you not willing and ready
to die for your King ? why then do you pity
me, svho am going to death for the cause of
GO,l ?"

'Hie priests returned to their impor unities
about one in the afternoon, and were entreated
to retire ; but to no purpose. One of them said,
It is from a concern about your salvation that
we come here ;" upon which the youngest
of the three brothers replied, " If you were at
Geneva, at the point of death in consequence of
a mortal disease (tor there no one is put to death
on account of religion), would you chose to be
re4zed and importuned in your last moments by
tour or five Protestant ministers, under pretence
of zeal ? Do therefore as you would be done
by." This mild remonstrance was insufficient
to put an end to the vain and cruel attempts of
these blind zealots, who, furnished each with a
crucifix, which they presented from time to time
to the prisoners, continued to perplex them in
the most indiscreet manner. " Speak of Him
(said one of the Noblemen who was to stiffer),
who died for our sins, and was raised for our jus.
t ification. anti then we will listen to you; hot do
not trouble its with your vain superstitions."
About two o'clock the martyrs were led out of
ism, placed in a waggon,with the four Curates,
aid thus conducted to the gate of,Ahe cathedral.
/lire the Minister was desired to step out of the
wagaon, and to ask pardon on his knees of God,
the Kilit4, and the Law, in that he had wickedly
perseveied in performing the functions of his
ry in opposition to the Royal edicts, This
he twice refused to do. He was told that this

*ilt n 0 more than z formality; to which he ciMwer-
ed, " That he neither would acknowledge nor Feb-
mit to nny formality that was contrary to the dic-
tates of his couscience." At length, however, being
obliged by force and violent treatment to leave
the waggon, be fell upon his knees and expressed
himself thus : " I (nimbly ask of Almighty God
the pardon of all my sins, in the full persuashri
of obtaining the remissioe of them through the
,blood of Jesus Christ. With respect to the King,
I have no pardon to ask of him, having never
offewled him. I always honoured hint as the
Loed's anointed ; I always loved him as the fa-
ther of my country ; I have always been to him
a good and Faithful subject, and of this my judges
themselves have appeared to he fully convinced 3
I always recommended to my flock patience, obe-
dience, ar d submission, and my sermons have
always been confined to the, two great objects
contained in these words of holy wilt, Fear God
and honour the King. If I have acted in opposi-
tion to the laws that prohibited our religious as-
semblies, I (lid this in obedietree to the laws of
Him who is the King of Kings. With respect to
public justice, I have nothing to say but this, that
I never offended it, and I most earnestly pray that
God will vouchsafe to pardon my judges." This
was the only confession that the officers of justice,
after much importunity and contestation, could
obtain from Monsieur Rochette ; and, though it
did not answer their purpose, yet they were
obliged to be satisfied with it, perceiving the in-
vincible resolution with which this noble martyr
protested against going any farther. No sect]
acknowledgment was rerteired of the three Noble-
men who suffered with him, as by the laws of
France it is never demanded of such as are be-
headed. They were however conducted, with
Monsieur Rochette, to the place of execution.
The ordinary place appointed for the execution of
criminals was not chosen upon this occasion, but
one much less spacious, that this glorious instance
of martyrdom might !Nye the fewer spectatoes.--.
All the streets which led to it were lined with
soldiers, end that on account of the pretended
apprehension of a rescue. But this they could
only fear from the Roman Catholic, (on whom,
indeed, the shedding thus deliberately the blood
of the innocent seemed to make a lively impres-
sion), for the small number of Protestant fami-
lies that live in this city, filled with consternation
at this unrighteous sentence, had shut themselves
up itt their houses, where they were wholly em-
ployed in tending up their prayers and lamenta-
tions to Heaven, while this terrible scene was
transacting. In the streets which led to the place
of execution, the windows were hired at very
I,igh prices : wherever the martyrs passed, they
were accompanied with the tears and lamenta-
tions of the spectators. One would have thought,
by the expressions of sorrow that appeared every
where, that Toulouse was, all of a sudden, be-
come a Protestant city. The Curate of Film- could
not bear this affecting spectacle. Yielding to the
power of sympathy (and perhaps of conscience),
he fainted away, and one of the Vicars was sent
for to supply his place. The circumstance that
was most affecting, was the inexpressible serenity
that appeared in the countenance of the young
Clergyman as lie went on to death. His graces
fol mien, the resignation and fortitude that reign-
ed in his expreseions, his bloomiug youth, every
thing, in short, in his conduct, character., and ap-
pearance, interested all ranks of people in his fa-
voor, and rendescd his fate the subject of univer-
sal effliction. This affliction was augmented by
one particular circumstance, even its being uni-
versally known that Monsieur Rochette might
have saved his life by an untruth, but rehired to
hold It at so dear a rate ; for as hehtg a Minister
was his only crime, and as there were no com-
plaints made against him, no advertisements de-
scribing his person, nor any witnesses to prove
his character, he had only to deny his being a
Minister, toot his life was saved ; but he chose
rather to lose his life than deny his profession.—
He was the first of the font. that was executed,
and in the face of death he exhorted his compa-
oions to perseverance, and sting those sublime
verses of the 128th Psalm, " This is the day
which the Lord path merle, we will rejoice and
be glad," Ste. 'When the executioner, among
others, conjured hint to die a Roman Catholic,
the Minister answered him in this gentle man-
ner :—" Judge, friend, which of the two is the
best religion, that which persecute!, or that
which is persecuted ?" lie added, that his
grandfather, and one of his uncles, hail died for
the pure religion of the Gospel, and that lie
would be the third martyr of his family. Two
of the three Gentlemen that suffered with him be-
held him tied to the gibbet with an amazing in-
trepidity ; hut the third covered his Eyes with his
hand, 'that lie mig,ht not witness such an awful
spectacle. The Commissaries of the Parliament,
and the Deputies of the other Courts of Justice,
discovered, by their pensive looks and downcast
eyes, how deeply they were affected upon this
melancholy occasion, The three brothers em-
braced each other tenderly, and recommended
mutually their departing souls to the God who
gave them. Their heads were struck off at three
blows. When the scene was finished, the specta-
tors returned to their respective homes in a so-
lemn silence, reflecting on the fate of innocence
and virtue, and scarcely able to persuade them-
selves that the world could present such a spec-
tacle of magnanimity, and such an instance of
cruelty, as they haul been just beholding.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.--On the night of the
30th ultimo, the house of Mr. Nathan find-
' son, in Finnan!, within four miles of this
town, was accidentally consumed by fire.--
Mrs. Hudson and the rest of the family bad
escaped, but she unfortunately returned in
hopes of saving a pocket book which contained
some bank-Motes, and was, we are sorry to say,
burned to death. She was a most respectable wo-
man, and the mother of three children. By the
exertions of Messrs. Crawford, aided by Mr. Scott
and others, the ,flames were prevented from com-
municating to the adjacent houses, and much of
Mr. Hudson's property was preserved. Some per-
sons who were ende&rouring to aid in extinguish-
ing the flames were severely hurt by the fulling in
of the roof.—(Newry Telegraph.)

THE QUEEN.—The roost alarming reports were
prevalent last night respecting HER MAJESTY, but
we have the pleasure to find, by the following
Bulletin, issued this day, that they are virtually
contradicted

" KEW Houss, SEPT. 4.

" The QuElrn Continues much in the same
state as yesterday, although HER MAJESTY'S
night has been but an indifferent one.
(Signed)

" MILMAN.
" H. HALFORD."

The Paris Papers of Tuesday last, which were
due this morning, have not arrived.

\Ve received this morning some further Ameri-
can Papers. The 1-Vashingion intelligencer of the
27th July contains the following important ar-
ticle respecting Pensacola, and the other Spanish
Posts taken possession of by General JACKSON,
which, it appears, are to be restored, under cer-
tain conditions, to the Spanish Government :

(From The National latelligenrer.)

" WASHINGTON, JULY 27.—The President of
the United States has, we understand, decided,
that Pensacola and the other Spanish Posts, which
have been taken by General Jackson, in the Flo-
rida', shall be restored to the Spanish Authority;
but with a requisition, that the King of Spain
shall, hereafter, keep such a force in those Colo-
nies as shall enable him to execute, with fidelity,
the fifth article of the Treaty between the United
States and Spain. That article, so far as it affects
this subject, is in the following words : The
two high contracting parties shall, by all the
means in their power, maintain peace and
harmony among the several Indian nations
who inhabit the country adjacent to the lines
and river', which, by the preceding articles,
lot m the boundaries of the two Floridas ; and,
the better to obtain this effect, both parties
oblige themselves, expressly, to restrain, by force,
all hostilities on the part of the Indian nations
living within their boundary, so that Spain will
not suffer her Indians to attack the citizens of the
United States, nor the Indians inhabiting their
territory ; nor «•ill the United States permit these
last mentioned Indians to commence hostilities
against the subjects of his Catholic Majesty, or
his Indians, in any manner whatever.'
11' On the strict execution of this article, on the
part of Spain, it is understood that the President
rigorously insists, and that it was the failure to
fulfil it which produced the necessity of crossing
the Spanish boundary during the present war with
the Seminole Indians.

" These tribes occupy the lands on each side of
the line between the United States and Florida;
much the greater part of them living within the
limits of the King of Spain. They are neither
citizens of the United States nor subjects of the
King of Spain. They owe no allegiance to the
laws of either Power. They cannot, therefore,
be tried for treason on account of their levying
war against either nation, within whose limits
they dwell. They are the owners of the soil
which they occupy ; hold at least a qualified
sovereignty over it, and exercise, on all occasions,
the right of making war and peace. To this pur-
pose they are sovereign within the country which
they possess ; to this purpose the country is their
country ; and that country may and must, of ne-
cessity, become the legitimate seat of war, if the
war cannot be otherwise terminated.

" This consideration becomes stronger, when
it is remembered, that it was owing to the ac-
knowledged incompetency of Spain to fulfil the
stipulation of her Treaty with us, by restraining
the hostilities of the Seminoles by force, that the
Uuited State. %vete compelled to take up artus in

a of
their own defence. Yet such was the delie3first
our Government towards Spain, that the
tot
order issued to the General commanding in isS
quarter, expressly forbade him to cross the SP3t3na
°
line. This inhibition was repeated by 3 sec
03s
order. But, as it was apparent that 116'414 les
Indians beyond the limits of the 'United S`a
ova
was doing nothing effectual to extiOguislithe
since in falling back within the limits of 171°rio',
they were still at home, with all the means n'
cursion and annoyance which they possessed
st
the commencement of hostilities, a third oract sa
was issued, which authorised the Aineric,„
General, if the Indians should present
selves in a body, beyond the line, to erns'
and attack them. Shortly after issuing tti
order, a massacre was committed by the
Ini
dians, which demonstrated that no alternatig
were left for the United States, but to !cave 01tr1,
frontier exposed to the mercy of the savages for
to carry the war into Florida, and thus to
Spain what she confessed herself unable t° ces
for herself, by terminating by force the nnstiliv,
of these savages. A fourth order was, thernO/rera i!
issued to this effect to the American Ge
but by the same order Ile was exnresslY
12 lei
minded, manded, if the Indians should take refuge te
a Spanish fort, not to attack them in that 4itt/0f
tion, but to report the case to the Dertrtifielitis
War. Such has been the delicacy observed bY
United States towards Spain; and no subsequco%.
order, it is understood, has been issued to e
large the authority of the American General',
11,
" In attacking the posts of St. Mat k and le
sacola, with the fort of Barrancas, General 113(.
"'et
son, it is understood, acted on facts, which ;
for the first time, brought to his knowledge, is
the immediate theatre of war ; facts which', o,
his estimation, implicated the Spanish Aut',.l;,
rides in that quarter, as the instigators and 3°l° is
aries of the war ; and he took these measures
tl°
his own responsibility merely. That his opens 14,
proceeded from motives of the purest patriat'4
and from his conviction, that, in seising
holding those posts, he was justified by tilebef
cessity of the case, and was advancing the
ra
interests of his country, the character of Get/eo
Jackson forbids a doubt. Of the important 1'; et
t,
alledged by him, satisfactory proof, it is
stood, has been already furnished to the Pres° 4,
and proof of the other facts is confidently otPectfil
It is difficult to admit the belief that acts, so tytts:
40°
regardless of the amicable relations between"to
-and the United States, so directly reptlOUtini
the stipulation of the Treaty above quetteall'to
in themselves so hostile and even cruel, '/` oft
avowed and adopted by the iiing of brig"' 164
trust that they were the mere unauthorised sett
311
his agents. But, should they, contiarY to
b 1
rational expectation, be so avowed and adopo
that Sovereign, there can be little doubt til) e
l ler •
means of annoying us front that quarter o'
th
long be taken front him, by the decision
of
competent authority, to be restored no more'tUe
ir
" In the mean time, as Congress only ha'''
'
power, under our Constitution, of declaring
and had made no such declaration against Sean'
it is understood that the President does nnt
ceive himself authorised to retain the Se 0
posts, inasmuch as such retention would be d,
act of war. It is on this ground, sve understl'os
that the resolution has been taken to rest°1111;0
posts, and to demand from the King of
punishment of those Officers whose intr-

conduct led to their seizure.
ot'
" The President, no doubt, sees, in c°—
g

with his countrymen, the great advantages W
the United States would derive froth the eilti';
possession of the Floridas ; but, confessedly %to
wil
as these advantages would be, he is not lir-0.
gain them, but by the Sanction of an act Of re'
press. To have retained these posts, onderdPoe
sent circumstances, would certainly have
eclat of being a strong measure ; but we vv.
never to see a President of the United States
f
posed to be stronger than the Constitution a 5
country ; for that is the palladium of intere'tt
it
more sacred, end of infinitely higher ifor oc,
the general cause of human liberty, than °Y
Os° r
quisition of territory, however vast or
tageous. f0.,0
" Notwithstanding this unexpected colhitc
the Floridas, we trust that the relations of
d; or
between the two nations will be preset oich
can we abandon the hope,
that the incidents
.:r
have grown out of the Seminole war, hove' oof
ve
b
verse their tendency may have app
eared to
tool!,
contribute essentially to produce that haPPY
Spain must see, and has practically eonles°,l:
incompetency to maintain her authotitY
ig/ se.
Floridas, against the Seminoles and for e
`gill
that I` at
venturers; and we hope she will see •ricrs
be much wiser for her to cede those pro ,ti
tbe 11=1
once, than to attempt to hold then' on r on
sible condition of her Treaty with ns ; "criea‘e'
condition now brought home to I!ers 11°1

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