Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1832-09-20
A LADY LIEUTENANT.

A whimsical case occurred last week in
Paris. Ayoung officer was brought be-
fore the correctional p olice, and on being
interrogated who and what he was, an
swered, yery much to the astonishment Of
all present, my name is Constantine
Catharinc Raffoux, aged II, lately an of
fcer in the Belgian service a.
The crime Of which the lady was accus-
cd, was wearing several knightly decora-
tons without a title thereto such as the
Belgian Lion, the Polish Eagle and the
Cross Of Jolly. When called upon for her
defence, she said, crying bitterly
If the things ofwhich / am accused
are as grave as you, say, request you to
say that they are merely the results of inn
prudence. You will, know, inquire why
] am thus dressed, and do not appear in
the habilimonts ofmy own sex. The facts
are these: Though young and a female,
the love OF my country, and that liberty
which all good citizens so we'll defended
during our glorious days, electrified mo.
When ! heard the sound Of cannon, / re :
GREETED that j was q woman, and prevent
ed by sex from doing as much good as 9TH
ers:
4 You know, gentlemen, that short time
after our revolution, another Of similar
character broke out in Belgium. The
same desire Of liberty induced me TO as
sumo male habilimenis, witt view of con-
cealing my weakness under such dis
guise. went to Belgium; and more than
one person worthy of credit, who went
there as did. will attest to you that
gave the lie to all assertions of female
weakness. Aiming myself with all the
courage of which am susceptible, and
shrinking Of my own dear country, my fee
bic hand defended and avenged the friends
Of Belgian liberty, as 1t would have done,
and ss5ll viii Do il tho freedom Of my own
nlsuags laad Is attacked.
On my setarm to Paris, though ] did
moi wish TO give up my male dress, which
HlhaA besAn aGnasaOnaed 10 weaT, and which
il MOST Suitable to my taste, had no de-
sine 10 ACT asgalhst sbe laws. ] iherefore
nasslka& 10 sSaaaaAS the habiIimcnts oi
my own Sea- aGBG 4 fcmnd sIey did NOT be-
COME noe. 4 west accOrdingIy to the Pre-
feet Police and Obtained permission 10
wear The clothes In which 1 now appear.
AS for the decorations have assumed,
trust, gentlemen, that your indulgence viii
induce You to attribute that to youthful
vanity; and some of that national pride
which may be pardoDable at my age. The
confinement have already suffered 10 ex-
piation Of this offence will hope incline
you 70 find, II the short and true accoun
Of myself that have just given, sufficient
motives 70 restore me to liberty. M,
counsel i, besides. charged with the task o
demonstrating more eloquentIy than | car
o. # gea daem il necessary. TINT my taste
- nV corrupt feeling has brought me be.
Ikt advocate who appeared IN be half q
Tie Crown pressed punishment but lightly
90 gjIo Iady's counsel confirmed ali he
ssAsomonts. He said that her militar,
vsopcnsities wsre strongly developed, the
] medical man. DR.. Mure, physician /
slss Ming, bad pronounced her to be- in
ssAie exaltntiow asartiale. lie manlione
some III her exploits, one Of which ws
tl.p sasAst bfa citadel III the head Of pal
u II she GolgIans. for wlichslle was mad
Af0utonant.
rho court was uneallAnt enough 10 In
pslson he's foF . week. --LORdoR paper.