Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-18
cHyRLorTE coKDEE;
AssAssIsAroa OF MARAT.

- Y.
Translated trcnasae French Of ls1.du Br0ea.
Charlotte Cordce was born ct ST. Sa,ur.
min dss LignereSs in the year 1908. Ma.
ture had bestowed on her handsome per.
son, wi., feehog, and mase1.ine energy
of understanding. She received her edu-
cation in a convent; but, disdaining the
frivolous ninutir of that species OF edu-
cation, she labcarsd with constant assidu-;
lily to cultivate her own powers, and hour
ly strengthened that bent of her imagina-
accorded With the inHcxible purity of her
manners, while il fitted her for that pc
rilous enterprise to which, at the age of
25, she fell a srlf-exvoted sacrifice.
Her love ofstudy rendered her CARELESS
of the homage that her, beauty attracted,
and her desire of independence caused
her to refuse many oilers Of. marriage
from men to whom her heart was indif-
feren,. But even philosophy and patrio-
tisn could not always render the breast
oftheir fair and heroic disciple iayuinera.
bic to the shafts of love. The youHg and
| handsome Belzunce, major en,sccond OF
the regiment of Bourbon, quar:ered at
Caen, became devoted to her, and sue :
ceeded il Inspiring her With passion as
virtuous as profound. This young officer
was massacred on the lith of August,
1889, bya furious multitude, after Marat,
| in several successive numbers Of his Jour
nal, called L'.fmi du Peuflie, had denoun.
cet che unfortunate Belzunce, as ceuu-
ter.revoiutinnist.
From that moment the soul Of Char
lo,se Cordee knew no happiness, and re-
posed only on the desire or vengeance
l.upon him whom she believed TO be the
| author of her misery. ~
Her hatred of Marat became yet more
[, vehement after the events of the 3ist Of
May, when she beheId him who had de-
creed the death of Belzunce now master
!! as itwere oftbe destiny OF France; while
the deputies, whose principles she loved
and whose talents she honored, were pro-
scribed and destitute fugitives, and look
ing vainly TO their country, to FrcnchmcH
and the laws 10 save them from the out
stretched sword of tyranny. Them it was
that Charlotte Cordee resolved to satisfy
j the vengeance of her love, and snatch her
country from the grasp of The tyrant.
/ TO execute with perseverance and eau
ton that which she had planned upon
principle, was natural q the determined
and steady mind Of Chariotle Cordee.-
She left Caen on the 9Th OF Joly, 1903, and
arrived aboat noon on the third dey ct Pa
| ris. Some commissions With which sac
was charged by her family and friends
4 occupied her the FIRST day alter her arri-
val. Early on the next morning she went
to the Palais Royal, bought a knife, and,
tgctting into a hackney coach, drove to
! the house OF Marat. II was not then pos
sible for her to obtainan audience of him,
though she left nothing nnessayed that
she thought likely 10 influence in her fa-
vor the persons VINO denied her admit
lance.
/ Being returned TO her hotel, she wrote
the following letter to Mara;---
T" CiHsm--I am Just arrived from Caen.
Yourlove for your country inclines me to suppose
you viii listen win pleasure 10 the secret events
of thar part of the republic. will presentmy
self at your house; have The goodness 70 give
orders for my admission. and grant ne mo-
Tient's private conyersauon: can point out the
4 means by which you may render important
service 10 France"
IN the Tear that THIS letter might not
produce the effect she desired upon Ma.
rat, she wrote second letter, still more
! pressing, which she intended to carry with
her, and leave for him, 10 case she was
not received. 1t was expressed ss fol-
lows
"lwrote you this morning citizen Marat, Have
I you received my letter Cannot inag inc II is pos.
sible you have when find your door still closed
against me. intreat that you viii grant me al,
interview TO morrow. 1repeSt, thai leone fr,n
Caen--sha, have secrets TO reveal to you Of the
highest Importance to the safety Of the republic.
BESIDES, am cruelty perserpicd FOR the cause Of
liberty. am unfortunate say that, is sufIiei.
ent 70 entitle me to your protection "
hwasunnecessaryto presenithe second
letter; for, whsn Charlotte Cordee arriy-
ed at the house or Matat, between seven
aud eight in the evening, and spoke i'm
| pressively Of her desire to see him, 10 the
woman who opened the door, Marat, who
{, heard her from bis bah, where he,then
was, concluded it was the person from
whom he had received the letter Of the
morning, and ordered that she should im-
media:ely be admitted.
| Hein,y tef alone. vii n hi m whom che IN