The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-26
CHARLoTTE OonDAY.

Greece or Rome, in their most devoted
times. never produced a finer instance of
patriotism or intrepidity; and Brutus and
Thrasybulus, with their glory around them,
can hardly claim higher rank among the
liberators Of mankind than this young hero
inc.
She lived in the town of Caen, in Nor
mandy, one of the provinces of France, and
appeared in the hottest period of the Revo-
lution, when Murat, the infamous friend of
Robespiere, was on his pinnacle of power
This man, native of Geneva, was original
ly of low origin, having been at one period Of
his life ashawker of toys about the streets Of
Paris He afterwards became editor Of
revolutionary journal; and at length, by dint
of talent and finesse, was appointed Depu-
ty to the French Convention. Here he dis
tingushed himself by that sort of eloqucnce
which takes among the vulgar, and still
more by the ferocious nature of his PROPOSE
tions, WHICH made him noted for cruelty, e
ven in this sanguinary assembly. His deeds
it were vain to relate. They realized all that
fiction has told US in its tales, and more than
realized the barbarities attributed by histo-
ry to Antiocbus and The worst of the Roman
Emperors. Suffice it to say. they aroused
the spirit Of fCAarlotte Corday; and with a
perfect conricton of the consequences Of
such an attempt, she formed the vast design
Of Of Kidding r. . her country Of one y considered
For this purpose she come to Paris, and on
the morning of the 18th Of July, 1892, wrote
to Murat, informing him that she had mat
ters oft the deepest importance to commune
cate, and requesting an immediate audience.
To this no answer was returned; and she a.
gain addressed to him note in the following
words
"Have you received my note If you
have received it, rest on your politeness.
1t is enough that am unfortunate, to claim
your attention."
| This was on the thirteenth of the month,
and on the evening of the same day, she was
admitted into his presence. He had just
stepped out of the bath and was only half
clothed, when Charlotte was announced.-
She would have retired an instant till he had
finished his toilet, but he ordered her
straghtway to enter his apartment.
"NVhat do you wish with me :" were his
| first words. as he cast his lascivious eyes on
the beautiful GIRL who stood undauntedly
before him. II demand justice" was her
reply ~ come to plead the cause of the
unfortunate deputies who have taken refuge
at Caen."
| She held scroll in her hand it pro-
! lCSoSu W OC tbSii PStlOus oho AvAUtoS so0A
it from her and glanced it over. 1t was me-
yer known how this petition came into Char
lotte's possession. 1t has been alledged that
one of the unhappy deputies was her lover,
and that he entrusted it to her care for the
purpose of being delivered to the tyrant.
1t has also been conjectured, that it he had
granted her prayer and extended mercy to
these persecuted men, she might for the
time have waved her fatal purpose. Ano-
ther and more probable opinion is, that IL
was framed by herself, to serve as an ex-
cuse for intruding upon Murat, and enabling
her more easily to carry her scheme into ex-
ecution. Be that as it may, itproduced no
effect upon his savage heart.-He read it
| with a sneer.
"Young woman," said he "you have come
upon useless errand. The fate OF these
men is sealed, have already given orders
for their apprehension. Their deaths will
soon follow"
"villain!" cried Charlotte; and drawing
"A poignard from her bosom, she plunged it
into the heart of the monster He reeled
back wards, and fell upon couch. His only
words were
"Traitress, you have murdered me- seize
her-seize her!"
She gave him but one look of horror and
tisdain, and dashing down the bloody wea-
pom, strobe with fearless grandeur out OF the
room.
She went home leisurely, nor made the
slightest attempt to escape. Her mind had
been made up as to the result OF the dread
full tragedy she had just acted. meanwhile
the report that Murat was murdered spread
like wildfire oyer Paris A sort of anxiety
and suspense pervaded this vast metropolis.
Vice trembled at the loss of its most terrific
minister. while all the nobler and more he,
roic passions were wrought into exstacy, at
the reported destruction of one of the most
execrable wretches that ever disgraced hu-
manity.
[ Charlotte was apprehended, but she ex-
Inhibited no sign of fear; and when told that
death would assuredly follow the deed she
had committed, she heard it with the most
sovereign contempt On being brought be-
fore the tribunal, and questioned as to her
motives for killing Murat, she showed the
same unshaken frmness. She defended the
deed on the grounds of justice end necessi-
.y. Murae, though not tried and condemned
by an official tribunal, was already looked
upon by his country, as a criminal deserving
!, of death. She only did that which the laws
ought to have done, and which future times
would applaud her for doing.
f II slew him." continued she, "because ne