Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-08-01
From the Louisville Journal.
PONTIUS PLATE AT VIENNE.

Translated and abridged from the Courier des
Etats Unis'
Vienne in Dauphlny, a province of
France, the ancient capital of transal-
pine Gaul under the Romans, is situa-
ted on the river Rhone. There, on
the left bank of that beautiful stream,
is seen tomb Of an ancient architec-
ture which, according to tradition, is
the tomb Of Pontius PiIate-Pilate un.
der whose government Jesus Christ SUI
Tered. Pdssus est sub Pontio plato.
1t was in Vienne also that the Wander
ing Jew revealed himself in l777-a
most remarkable occurrence, the spot
that contained the ashes Of the Judge
of the Righteous was to be trodden
upon by a descendant Of his accu-
ser.
The following chronicle was ex.
tracted from an old Latin manuscript
found in a monastery near Vienne.
1t was under the reign Of Caligula,
when c. Marcus was prator at Vienne,
that an old man bent with age, yet of
a tall stature, was seen to descend from
his litter and and enter house of mo-
dest appearance near the temple of
Mars. Over the door OF this house
was written, in red letters, the name
of F. Albinus. He was an old ac-
quaintance Of Pilates. After mutual
salutations, Albinus observed to him,
that many years had elapsed since
their separation. Yes," replied Pr
late, "many years-years Of misfor-
tune and affection. Accused be the
day on which | succeeded Valerius
Gratus in the Government in Judea
My name is ominous; it has been fatal
to whomsoever has borne it. One OF
my ancestors imprinted an indelIible
mark Of infamy on the fair front of i'm
perlal Rome, when the Romans passed
under the Candine Furcule in the Sa-
muire war.-Another perlshed by the
hands of the Parthians in the war
against Arminlus. And miserable
me -
You miserable" asked Albinus;
"what have you done to entail misery
on you? True, the injustice Of Cali
gula has exiled you to Vienne, but for
what crime? have examined your
affair at the I'abularium. You are de-
nounced by Vitellus, project of Syria,
your enemy, for having chastened the
rebelious Hebrews who had slain the
most noble of the Samaritans, and who
afterwards withdrew themselves on
Mount Garisim. You are also accused
of acting thus out Of hatred against the
Jews"
"Non replied Plate, "No! by all
the gods, Albinus, it is not the injustice
Of Caesar that afflicts me-"
What then is the cause Of your
afflictionl" continued Albinus. "Long
have known you-sensible, just, hu.
name. | see it ;-you are the victim
of Vilellus."
"Say not so, Albinus-Say not that
/ am the victim Of VItellus-No; | am
the victim of higher power The
Romans regard me as an object of
Caesars disgrace; the Jews, as the Sc
we're Proconsul +; the christians, as the
executioner of their God ~
"Oftheir God, did you say, Plate?
-Impious wretches Adore God
born in manger, and put to death on
the cross ~
"Beware, Albinus, Beware con-
tinued Plate. "lfthe Christ had been
born under the purple, he would not
have been adored. Listen. To your
friendship | will submit the events of
my life; you will afterwards judge
whether am worthy Of your hospitali-
ty.
On my arrival at Jerusalem, took
possession Of the Pretorium, and order
ed splendid feast to be prepared, to
which invited the Tetrarch Of Judea,
with the high priests and his officers.
At the appointed hour, no guests APP
peared. This was an insu: offered to
my dignity. A few days afterwards,
the Tetrarch deigned to pay me WIS.,
It. Ills department was grave ana oe-
ceitful. He pretended that his religion
forbade him and his attendants TO sit
down at the table OF the Gentiles, and to
offer up hbations with them. thought
it expedent to accept of his excuse;
but from that moment was convinced
that the conquered had declared them
selves the enemies of the conquer
ors.
At that time, Jerusalem was, of all
conquered cities, the most difficult to
govern. So turbulent were the people,
that | lived in momentary dread OF an
instruction. To repress it, had but
a single Centurion, and handful Of
soldiers. requested reinforcement
from the Project of Syria, who infor.
med me that he had scarcely troops