Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-10-18
eel strength enough tor ne most ter
ribie attacks, if l am o say Honor is

may have be- eived-misled by
Illusions, by recollel 5. by false ideas of
honor--it is possible that country spoke 4
chimerical language to my heart.
The accused here declared, that he he'd
no intention, nor was it possible for him to
deny facts, public and notorious he was
ready to sign the act of accusation drawn
up against him, but he would justify him
self from the charge of having been con-
cerued in any plot that preceded the return
OF Bonaparte and he protested that he
was convinced no relation ever existed
between the Isle of Elba and Paris.
"AppoiRted Colonel of Regiment. |
wished only TO occupy myself in my m.li-
tary duties. ! wished, above all, TO inspire
my soldiers with an eshrit du coTns. Ne
ver should have attempted to maze them
forget the warrior who had So often led
them TO victory but | knew also the
names and exploits OF the great men that
have rendered the family of the BouTbons
illustrious and should make it Il duty and
pleasure to teach them to my troops.
" do not conceal that set off with sad
fresenfimentS but Napoleon was far
from my thoughts. had not foreseen that
France, untouched and united, would re
sumo for months, under new regime,
a political attitude. / had not foreseen this
coalition ct all Europe, against which the
army, protector of the territory, would a
gain fight under Bonaparte. But l was a
victim to vague uneasiness, of which,
nevertheless, l could explain, and perhaps
justify the cause. All if my voice could
have that solemn character which, they
say, the feeblest accents assume in the
moment of death, my reflections might still
be useful to posterity.
" In 1914 neither the nation nor the ar
my could longer suffer tie yoke of Bona
parte--it was tired of war without motive
Exhausted by sacrifices without utility
al felt the necessity of a repairing Gov
ernment--where could we fiatter our
selves that we should find it but in the re-
cal OF the Bcurbons, whose name reminded
France of long series of good Kings. ana
ages of prosperity? Hence they were w l.
coined with an enthusiasm which was too
soon chilled by numerous faults, grave err
rors, and fatal imprudeRces. The Kings
intentions were pure, but the outrageous
zeal of his servants did mucn harnl.-
These men formed al erroneous idea of
France"
The President inierrupting the accused,
required him to contine himself to his de-
fence Il is not political crime Of which
you are accused before US, or that we are
called upon 20 judgc---it Is military Crime
"a violation OF your duties as soldier and
colonel-try to destroy the proofs that are
furnished against you've desire it as
much as you can"
Labedoyere--" What Would you have
me combat facts that are notorious, and
disavow actions that are public | never
had such AN idea. And since you prohibit
me from entering into the examination of
the political causes that led to the step for
which | am called upon to answer before
you, must conhne myself to the avowal
of great error, and / confess it with
grief, upon throwing my eyes upon my
country-My fault IS the having misunder-
stood the intentions of the king"
Mr.. de Labedoyere here made tardy
but touching Teparation to the king 81
see all promises fulfilled, all guarantees
conSecrated, the constitution perfected,
and foreigners will see again, hope,
great nation in the French, united round
their King. Perhaps | shall not enjoy the
SIGHT but have shed my blood for my
country, and love to persuade myself that
my death, preceded by my error, may be
OF some use that my memory will not be
held in horror, and that when my son shall
have reached the age at which he shall
be able to serve his country, that
country will not reproaCh him with his
name"
The firm and noble accent, the modest
yet assured countenance, and the penetra-
ting tone of the colonel inspired all the au-
dience with feeling which the judges no
doubt shared-the feeling of regret that so
many fine qualities, which might have
made their possessor the pride of his
country and his family, should only have
contributed to the rendering him the
accomphce of the enemy Of the human
rae.
1t was with visible oppression of grief
that the President after a long deliberation
of the Council declared that G.. A. +. II.
de Labedoyerc, Colonel of the 7th regi-
ment of the line, had been unanimously
judged guilty of treason and rebellion
The Court declared besides, unanimously,
that the said Labedoyere had not availed
himself of the delay of eight days granted
by the Ordinance of the King to all the a.
bettOrs OF Bonaparte to return 70 their duty.
In consequence they condemned him to tie
pain Of death, to degradation from the
rank OF Colonel, and from the title Of
Commandant Of the Legion of Honor, and
to the payment Of the expenses Of the tri-
a..
The sentence, pronounced in the alb
sence Of the accused, will be read 10 him
by the Reporter, who will announce to him
that he is allowed a delay of 81 hours to
demand the revision of his sentence before
mother tribunal
The subjoined expressions ave said to
have been used by Colonel Labedoyere,