The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-06-10

INext morning, the IAN, taxing Win her the kn1e
she had purchased, and her red pocket-book, she
proceeded to Marat's residence, No. Is Rue de PE-
cole de Medicine The Representative i'll, and
could not be seen and Charlotes cnreaties for ad-
mission on the most urgent business, unaya-
ing She therefore withdrew and wrote the follow
ing note which she herself delivered arat's
want -
"Citizens Representatice-I have Just arrived
from Caen. Your well known patriotism leads me
to presume that you will be glad to be made ac-
quainted with what is passing in that part of the
Republic will call on you again in the course Of
the day; have the goodness to give orders that
may be admitted, and grant me a few minutes con-
yersaton. have important secrets to reveal to you
CHARLOTTE CoRDAY."
At seven o'clock in the evening, she returned, and
reached Marat's antecbamber but the women who
waited upon him refused to admit her into the mon
ster's presence. Marat however, who was in the
bath in the next room, hearing the voice of young
girl, and little thinking she had come to deprive him
of life, ordered that she should be shown in. Char
io::c seated herself by the side of the bdth The
conversation ran upon the disturbance in the depart
ment of Calvados, and Charlotte, fixing her eyes
upon Marat's countenance if to scrutinze his
most secret thoughts, pronounced the names Of sew
eral of the Girondist deputies.
They shall soon be arrested, he cried with
howl of rage, " and cxucuted the same day.
lie Ddu SCdTCcIy uttered tnOSc WOTuS, WHcn CHdr-
otte's knife was buried in his bosom.
Z" Help ~ he cried, "help am murdered"
He died Immediately.
Charlotte might have escaped, but she had no
such intention, She had undertaken what she con-
ceivcd amcrtorous action, and was resolved to stay
and ascertain whether her aim had been sure. Ina
short time the screams of Marat's servants bro't
"A crowd of people into the room. Some of them
beat and i'll used her, but the members of the sec
having arrived she nIacp1 herself ,udpr their
protection. They were all struck with her extraor-
dinary beauty, well as with the calm and lofty
heroism that beamed from her countenance. Ac-
customcd as they were to the shedding Of human
blood, they could not behold unnoved this beauti-
fu girl, who had not yet reached her twenty fifth
year, standing before them with unbanched eye,
but with modest dignity, awaiting their fiat of death
for deed which she imagined would save her
country from destruction At length Danton arrived
and treated her with the most dcbasng indignty to
which she only opposed silent content. She was
then dragged into the street. placed i'm COACH and
Drouet was directed to conduct her to the Concier-
gcrie. On her way thither she was attacked by an
infuriated muttude.-lIere, for the first time, she
eyinced symptoms of alarm. The possibility of be-
ing torn to pieces in the streets, and her muated
limbs dragged through the kennel and made sport
of by iniriated rabble had before occurred
to her imagination. The thought now struck her
with dismay, and reused all her feelings of female
delicacy. The frmness of Drouet, however, saved
her, and she thanked him warmly
d" Not mat feared to die, sne saIu II
repugnant to my womans nature to be torn in pie
ccs before every one in open day."
Whilst she.was at the Conciergerle, great many
persons obtained leave to see her. and all felt the
most enthusiastic admiration on bchoIding young
creature of surprising oveness, with cndow mcnts
that did honor to her sex, and otness of heroism
to which few Of the stronger sex have attained who
had HpIiberateI pxpcutcd at which in tba
country had resolution to attempt, though the whole
nation wished it, and calmly given up her life for
the public veal.
Charloue's examination before the revolutionary
tribunal is remarkable for the simplicity of her an
swers. shall only mention one, which deserves to
be handed down to postcriy.
Accused" said the President L" how happened
II that thou coulds reach the heart at the very first
blow? Hadst thou been practcing before hand %
Charlotte cast an indescrbable look at the ques-
toner.
Indignation had reused my heart" she replied,
" and it showed me the way to his"
When the sentence of death passed on her,
and all her property declared forfeited to the state
she turucd to her counsel Nj. Chauveau Lncarge
cannot, sir, sufficiently thank you," she said,
" for the noble and delicate manner in which YOU
have defended me- and will at once give you a |
proof OF my gratitude. have now nothing in the /
world, and bequeath to you the few debts ! have
contracted in my prison. Pray discharge them for
me-"
When the eXecutoner came to make preparations
for her execution she entrcatcd him not to cut of
her hair
1T shall not be in your way" she said, and ia
king her stay lace, she tied her thick and beautiful
hair on the top of her head not to impede the
stroke of the
In her last moments she refused the assistance of
priest; and upon this is founded the charge of
her being an in6del-Deeply read lin the phiosophic
writings of the day, she had formed her own no.
tions of faith. She certainly rejected the commun-
ion Of the Roman Church and it may be asked
whether the conduct of the hierarchy of France be-
fore the revolution was calculated to convince her
that she was in errori