The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-10-23
CHARLOTTE CORDAY.

Greece or Rome, IN their most devo-
ted times, never produced finer instance
of patriotism or 'ntrepidity, and Brntus
and Thrasybulus, with then glory around
them, can hardly claim higher rank a
mong the liberators of mankind than this
young heroine. She lived in the town OF
Caen in Normandy, one of the PROVINCES
of France, and appeared in the hottest
period OF the revolution, nhen Marat, the
infamous friend of Robcsplerre, was ON
his pinnacle of power. This man, native
OF Geneva, was originally of low origin,
ha,lng been at one period of his life a
hawker of toys about the streets of Paris.
lie afterwards became editor of a rcvnlu-
tlonavy journal !; and at length, by dint OF
talent and iinesse. was appointed Depu-
ty 10 the French convention. Here he
distinguished himself by thai sort of slo-
qnence which takes among the vulgar, and
still more by the ferocluus nature of his
propositions, which made him noted for
cruelty, even IN this sangulnary assembly.
His deeds il were vain To relate. They
realiz' d all that fiction has told us In IFS
widest tales. and more than realized the
barbarlties attributed by history to Anti
oches and the worst fthe Roman Empe-
rors. Suffice II 10 say, they aroused the
splilt of Charlotte Corday and with IA
perfect conviction of the Consequences of
such an attempt, she formed the vast de-
sign OF Kidding her country OF one whom
she considered its bitterest foe.
For this purpose she came to Paris, and
on the morning of the leth of July, 1892,
wrote 10 Marat, informing him that she
had matters of tho deepest importance TO
communicate, and requesting an lmmedl-
ate audience. TO this no answer was re-
turned and she again addressed to him a
note IN tie following words =" Have you
received my letter? II you have rece, ed
II, rest on your poiiteness. 1t is enough
that am unfortunate, to claim your at
tenliou." This was on the 18th of The
month, aud on the evening of the same
day she was admitted into his presence.
lie had just stepped out of the bath and
was only half clothed, when Charlotte
was announced. She would have retired
an instan, till he had finished his toilet, but
he ordered her straghtway to enter his a.
partment.
What do you wish with me" were
his first words, as he cast his lascivious
eyes on the beautiful girl, who stood I'm
dauntedly before him. - demand ins-
tlce," was her reply. /" | come to plead
the cause OF the unfortunate deputies who
have taken refuge AT Caen." She held a
scroll in her hand it professed to be their
petition, and Marat took it from her and
glanced it over. II was never known how
this petition came into Charlotte's possess
sion. II has been alledged that one of the
unhappy deputies was her lover and that
he entrusted il to her hands for the pur
pose of being delivered to the tyrant.
Ii has also been conjectured, that ifhe had
granted It's prayer and extended mercy to
these prosecuted men, she might for the
time have waved her alpurpose. Another
and more probable opinion is, that it
was framed by herself to serve as an ex-
cnse for lntrudiug upon Murat; and ena-
bling her more easily to carry her scheme
into execution Be that as it may, il pro-
duced no effect upon his savage heart. de