Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-07-16
london, Nag ST.
Nj. LAVALETTE.

We have received the following inter
esting statement from correspondent of
undoubted vcracity. The principles and
reasoning adopted in it Of course belong
to the writer only.
The return of this individual to that
country, on the soil of which he was con-
demned but six years since to shed his
blood under the axe of the law, is one of
the many examples which history offers
in the interests of humanity, to check the
indulgence of vindictive passions in mo-
ments Of political anarchy, and to allow
time for the restoration of the empire of
Justice under the auspices Of truth and
mercy.
r. Monsieur Lavalette was charged with
the crime OF high treason for resuming
his functions as post master general i'm
mediately after the departure of the king
from Paris, and before Bonaparte had en-
tered Paris and re-inves.ed him with that
appointment.
This was the charge on which he was
tried but the true motive of his prose-
cution was belief that he had conducted
correspondence with the Island of Elba,
and encouraged the return of his former
sovereign, his nenefactor, and relation
by marriage.
Monsieur Lavalette, when placed OH the
prescription list, was offered by Fouche a
passport to quit the French territory
He refused to accept it; and coniiding in
his innocence, and further protected by
the convention of Paris, he voluntarily
presented himself as prisoner to the CON
stituted authorities; but it was not till the
renewal of his application that the gates
of the Coneiergerie closed on him.
He was tried, condemned and ordered
for execution.
The subsequent transaction which eff.
fected his release few hours before the
contamination of the sentence, and Sc
cured ultimately his escape from France,
are we'll known.
Madame Lavalette, however, became
the victim of her generous devotion; she
had, to save her huaband, risen from
bed in which she had endured the Attic
ton of losing by miscarriage an only son.
This effort, and the anxieties of her mind,
followed by long confinement, impaired
her health. and produced alienation OF her
mental faculties.
Touched by these misfortunes, and con-
WINGED, no doubt, of the innocence of
Mons. Lavalette, the king, about year
since, signed the act of grace which can
celled the former proceedings, and re es-
tablished Mons Lavalette in all his rights
as French citizen.
1t was not however, till a few days since
that passport for his return to France
was granted Previous to his departure
from Augsburgh. Mons. Lavalette consid-
cred it to be his duty 50 publish the fol
lowing declaration, to the reservations
of which, all those who know the private
virtues of Mons. Layalette will not hest
tate to give implicit credence, and to
which only the most ungenerous political
enemies flor Mons. Lavalette never had
personal one) can refuse his confidence -
'DECLARATION.
"In presence of almighty God, the a
vengerof perjury, l delare that, during
the eleven months Of the year 1914, never
had any correspondence. direct or indi-
rect, with any Of the persons who inabi-
ted the Island of Elba at that epoch,'
and that never caused any letter to be
written, or received any letter from them.
"I declare that l never sent, or caused
any one to be sent, to the Island of Elba.
and, finally, that was an entire stranger
to the events which prepared and consum
mated the enterprise of the 10th March,
1915. make this public declaration, vo-
." Except the letter of of compliment
on new years day that l myself conmu-
nicascd to mr. judges"