Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-01
LAvALErTE.

Z" The account which you have given Of
the escape of Lavalette, is correct, with the
exception OF two circumstances.
You stated that the Minister of Gene
raj Police and the Project of Police went
to the prison, and Immediately ordered the
arrest of the jailor. You should have sta
ted that six minutes precisely after the es-
cape OF M. Layalette, the jailor, after hav-
ing ordered the keepers aud myself land it
was L who stopped the sedan chair OH the
Quar- des 0rfevres) to go in pursuit, pro-
ceeded binfself to the Project of Police to
inform him Of the disastrous event. ltw
then only that the Project sent nv fathert to
the prison of the Prefecture. Now, is it
probable that if the iailor had been guilty,
would he have given an account so soon to
the Prefect OF Police, and placed himself
at his mercyF would he not have conceal
ed the escape till next day, nay, even dis
appeared himself before it was known /?
Several journalists have SAID, that the
jailor seemed to be guilty of negligence
No, Sir, he was not. The TAILOR was pre-
sent in the front lodge when NJ. Layalette
went out disguised in his wife's clothes.
supported by his daughter and an old SER
want, all three sobbing and crying which
appeared to him quite natural. 1t has been
said, why was not the handkerchief taken
from his face? But ask those who nut
this question, would they have done so
themselves to female, to female in the
last asonies of grief aud despair, at seeing
her husband for the last time, previous to
his ascending the scaffold ? Would not
such conduct have been an insult and
cruelty, with which the jailor might have
beenjustly charged
sit has been said, why was it not Disco
yered at the various wlckets, that man
and not woman was going out In an
swer to this it may be said, that Madame
Lavalette, every time she came to see her
husband, was covered with a large fur
cloak, which seemed to accord with her
sickly condition, and under which his es-
cape was completely disguised.
Z" If my father had been capable of sell
ling his honor, he would have accepted the
offers made him by Madame Ney to save
her husband-offcrs of which [ now can
give an account from a conversation of
which took notes Immediately after nv
father reported il to me -
Con the 18th of November. at 7 O'Clock
in the evening, she came into the lodge
where | was; she said to my father that
she was DESTROYS Of speaking to him in pri-
vate-I retired into the front lodge. AT
ter both were seated, she spoke as follows
NJ. Rocquette, know that nothing but
the misfortunes you experienced at St. Do
mingo, reduced you to the necessity of be-
ing jailor-you have large family. 1t
may be possible, if you wish it, to place
them in Opulence.' How 50, madam p
A victim is wanted, and my husband ia
marked out; 1t depends upon you to save
INN set OIL with him nothing can happen
to you depend upon it, my fortune is con-
siderable--l offer you half nav the whole.
it you wish it, 'What, Madam, do Won
propose to me to forfeit my honor p Sir,
honor is not affected when it is necessary
to save an unfortunate person. No, Ma
dam, nothing can make me traffic with nv
duty. Your grief affects me, but beseech
you instantly to cease speaking of propu-
sal which hurts me beyond MEASURE
8 What, will nothing in the world move
you on behalf of an unfortunate family 7'-
Il participate most sincerely in your Iust
grief, but cannot do more, sThen rive
me your word and honor that you will not
mention what / have said to you to the
Marshal, who is ignorant of my proposal. ;
He made her the promise, and rose in or
der to put an end to the conversation.
which was disagreeable to him. She said
to him, on going away,' Will you think of
twill you reflect on what have said ,,
Madam, all my reflections are finished.
| beseech you to think no more on the sub
ject YOURSELF From this moment he
avoided being alone with Madam New.
lest she shonId renew the proposal. "
have the honor to be, &c.
(Signe
|" ROCQUETTE DE KERGUIDER, j.. ,,