The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-05-03


Plato Subow, fayorite of Catharine Cd,
and Gen. Benningsen, who had joined
the conspirators. Subow aud BenninS
sen commanded one party of the con-
spirators. and Pahlen the other. The
first arty. preceded by the officer who
usually made reports 10 the Emperor,
passed through the gallery, where the
seniinels were stationed, who had been
instructed in the plot, 10 the anti-cham-7
Der, where the Emperor's Wallets slept.
The reporting officer gained the admit
lance under pretext of making his
mornings report, and one Of the val
cts was killed, the other disappeared,
The particulars of the assassination
follow, in the words of the biographer
Salem Observer.
bow penetrated to the emperor's cham
ber.--Sobow, not seeing the prince in
his bed, cried, Good God! he has es-
caped.'-Benningsen, more composed,
having made careful search, discover
ed the Emperor behind screen. Hav-
ing approached the prince, he saluted
him with his sword, and announced to
him hat he was prisoner, by order
OF the emperor Alexander; that his
life would be respected but that it was
requisite for his safety that he would
make no resistance.-PauI made no an
swer. By the glimmering of night
lamp, the confusion and terror which
were painted at the same tiue in his
conntenance were easily perceived.
Benningsen, without loss of time, ex-
amined the whole room: one door led
to the apartments of the empress: a
second, which was that Of the ward
robe, afforded no farther issue: two
others belonged TO recesses which con-
tanned the colours Of the regiments OF
the garrison, as also great number of
swords belonging 10 officers who were
put under arrest. While Benningsen
was shutting these doors, and putting
the keys into his pocket, Subow repeat
ed in Russia to the Emperor, Sire, you
are prisoner, by order Of the Empe-
ror Alexander. '-How prisoner re-
piled the Emperor. A moment after
wards he added, What have | done
to you 2 For these four years past
Won have tortured u.s. replied one of
! the eonspiraiors.
"The prince was in his night-cap !;
he had only thrown over his flannel
Jacket; he was standing without shoes
or stockings before the conspirators,
who had their hats on, and their
swords in their hands.
i" If Paul had retained his presence
of mind, he might have escaped, either
by means of trap door which opened
under his bed, or by the apartments of
the empress; bat fear had entirely dis
concerted him, and at the first noise be
had thrown himself under the bed, with
ont taking any resolution; perhaps he
did not venture TO take refuge in the a.
partments Of the empress, thinking that
conspiracy against him could not have
been contrived without the consent and
the encouragement of princess whom
he knew 10 be beloved by the people
as mech as he was disliked.
"At the moment when they were Sc
curing the emperor, some noise being
heard, Subow fastened to the Grand
i Duke Alexander. The apartments of
the prince were under those of bis father.
He had with him only bis brother Con-
staniine aud the two grand dutchesses,
their wives. Constantine had not been
initiated in the secret till the same eve
ming though he did not love the empe-
ror, il was feared that he might be gull
ty of some indiscretion.---These four
persons waited with the greatest anxiety
for the issue of the affair; the arrival Of
Subow did not little contribute to aug
ment their uneasiness. Meantime Ben
ningsen, who had remained in the en-
peror's chamber with small number of
the conspirators, was greatly embarrass-
ed 4; he would have been more so, if
Paul had taken his ord to defend him.
self; but this unfortunate prince did not
utter single word, and remained mo-
tionless.
The emperor was found in this state
of stupor by some Of the conspiratOrs,
who, in their iutoxication, had missed
their way, and tumuluously catered the
chamber.
"Prince Tatcbwill, major-general Of
artillery, who had been for some time
out Of service, first entered at the head
of his companions; he furiously attacked
the emperor, and throwing him on the
ground, overturned at the same time the
screen and the lamp: the rest OK the
scene passed 10 darkness. Benningsen,
thinking that Paul wished to fly, or de.
fend himself, cried, For Gods sake,
,;ro Al not oAtounNs g. x,onc rs