Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-08-28
From the Boston Commercial Gdfsfte
BURNING THE CONVENT AT CHARLES.
TOWN.


II is our painful duty TO record an act
Of violence perpetraied last Monday night,
Of nature disgrsceful TO the character OF
New Englanders. The Ursnline Convent
on Mount Benedict at Charlestown. with
all the buildings attached, was destroyed
by fire commune ated by lawless mob.
Collections of persons began to Assem-
t,ie early in the evening, in the streets OF
Charlestown, and near Mount Benedict
About nine o'clock. Mr. Runey, one Of the
Select men, addressed body Of about
80 assembled near the Convent, who were
threatening violence, requesting them to
dcsist, assuring them that having been one
Of the members OF the Committee TO IN
ve,tigate the affair, he was convinced that
there was no occasion for the excitement
But his remonstrances bad no effect, and
the mob continued 10 increase.
At about a quarter past eleven, the
bells in the city gave the alarm Of lire.
and a light was seen in the direction Of
Mount Benedict in Charlestown. Ii prov
ed, however TO proceed, from some tar
barrels, which were on an elevation about
400 rods east Of the Convent--probably
prepared as beacon to assemble the mob.
Some of the members OF the Fire Depart.
ed on perceiving the cause Of the alarm,
returned TO the city; others, aware Of the
great excitement which prevailed in that
vicinity for some days past. fastened on.
wards towards the Convent. Several
hundreds of people were already assem-
bled-and from one hundred and fifty TO
two hundred, disguised in various fantas
tic dresses, and with painted faces, imme-
diately commenced breaking open the
doors and windows of the Convent, which
was soon effected. They then entered,
and cody went to work to demolish the
furniture, and in less than an hour, the
whole OF the valuable furniture Of that es-
Enlistment, was removed from the build |
ing into the yard, and nearly all destroy
cd.
The building was then carefully search
ed from top to bottom to ascertain whether
any person was secreted in any part OF II,
(it is understood that the inmates left It
early in the EVENING" torches were then
called for. and they deliberately set fire to
the Nunnery in the second story This
was about half past IL o'clock, the fire
rapidly extended, and in short time the
whole Of this magnificent building was in
flames, and in one hour from the time the
first torch was applied the roof fell in.
The fire also was communicated to the i
out houses and the Chapel, which were
soon consumed. The mob then proceed
ed TO the Bishops Lodge at the foot Of
the hill, and set fire TO it. then the Old
Nunnery. large wooden building about
ten rods below the Lodge. and in a short
time il also was in flames-At about
O'Clock. they finished the destruction Of
the buildings, by setting fire to the stables,
which were also consumed, The beauti |
ful gardens were destroyed; and even the
cemetery was wrenched opea, and dis
figured. At daylight, the work Of destruc
ton was complete
The number Of persons assembled as
actors 10 this scene of destruction, or
spectators, has been computed at some
thousands. But no attempt wa. made TO
restrain the mob in their acts OF violence
Not Magistrate nor Police officer was to
be seen. Engines from Charlestown, Bos. |
ton, and we believe from Cambridge,
were on the spot, but no effort was made
by the firemen to extinguish the fire, al
though Col. Amory made several lauda-
BILE but fruitless attempts to bring up the
fire engines, and stop the progress Of the
flames.
This act of violence appears to have
been without excuse. 1t is said by Bishop
Fenwick that there was no cause for the
excitement in Charlestown, which had
prevailed for some time past, and which
has been increasing, until this shocking
result is produced. But even if there was
cause for the excitement, it should be re
collected that we live in a country Of laws
where all classes Of citizens may find re
dress under oppression. And if an act o
oppression and violence had been com
mi,ted by the Government Of the Nunnery
on a young and unprotected female, an
pie redress could have been obtained witt
out resoriing TO an act Of violence, whic
has not been equalled in New Englanc
since the establishment Of the Republic
feeling hostile to the establishment c
Mount Benedict, has existed among
portion of the citizens Of Charlestowr
since the Institution was first locate
there-and many stories, doubtless exag
gerated, or perhaps altogether destitute
Foundation, have been circulated, derog;
tory to the character Of that institution
And the last act, reported to have bee
perpetrated, that Of OBTAINING youn
lady without her own consent, and relu
ing TO produce her when called upon - al
declining to give any satisfactory explain
ton of the affair. appears to have excit
the fury Of the populace 10 an ungovern
BILE height-and the consequence we ha
seen.--.Mer. jour.
We copy the following particulars fro
the Transcrip':-The whole party we
disguised. All Of them. SO far as we CT
learn, had their faces painted aft
an Indian fashion, and others in 9th
ways; and part Of the number employ,
devices and DISCUSSES of various other d
scriptions. adapted to conceal the indivi
uals concerned in the outrage. from reco
milton, at the time Of its execution, and
course from punishment hereafter.
Meanwhile, the inmates Of the Conve
had all we believe, effected their escaJ
from the house, as admonished to do
the assailants in their first demonstration
about the entrance. These were the Lad
Superior, five or six Nuns. three servai