North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-06-26

noCH dStS aIe udiig PetioIIueu III lONiuCe
bordering on your happy republic and you
hardly take any notice of it. On hearing
that her beloved husband was in the power
OF his cruel and bIood-thirsty enemies, Mrs.
Narbonne sunk into a deep dependency
which very soou ended her amiable exist
ence The innumerable suilerngs Of our
unfortunate friend, were increased by the
loss Of his fond wife, who left three orphan
children TO the care of father loaded with
chains and thrown into adungeon. What
an awful stuttion for father who loved
his children so tenderly, and saw them de-
prived Of lheiI only support in the prema-
tore death Of their kind mother whilst their
father was thrown he pIess into a gloomy
cell. His unfortunate and helpless children
were left in the most completely destitute
manner ill the amnesty Of Lord Durham
in the month ofJuIy following when their
prosecuted father was released.
Faithful TO his promise & to his country's
cause, he resored TO arms upon that MEM
orabe day when the Canadian people
were striking second blow for freedom.
His popularity and his well known brave.
ry were his only recommendations 10 the
title Of Colone which was conferred on
him by the people of his vicinity. On the
9Th day of NOVEMBER he joined Dr.. Nelson
at Napierviie, and was at the battle oil
OdeItown on the 9th where he showed
himself to be possessed Of daring courage.
The scales Of victory were turned against
the patriots and from the superior forces
that the British Government were bringing
into the field, twas deemed necessary 10
retreat to the States. In attempting this
retreat he fell mo the hands Of The enemy
at OdelItown, from whence he was carried
10 NapierviIle Jail where he suffered ex-
cessiveIy both from cold and from want of
food. From this place he was forced to
march 10 the railroad at Lacadie, land from
thence he was drag ged to Montreal, where
he had to suffer all kinds Of bad treatment
and insult from the tory mob on his way
from the steamboat to the jail. On the
Goth day Of January last he was Gorcibly
carried before the unlawful and bloody
tribunal of Sit John CoIborne. He knew
too well that justice and humanity could
have no influence whatever on the hearts
of those merciess creatures who were de-
Gliding upon the life and death OF those who
were dragged before them; he was prepa-
red for the worst. On the 18th February
next, he received official notice that on the
Friday following which was to be the 18th
he should be sacrificed on the scaffoId.-
Far from being discouraged, he felt proud
TO be one Of the martyrs sacrificed for his
countrv's cause. The gloomy day was at
hand, with his companions he proceeded TO
the fatal spot. Colonel Narbonne had one
of his hands cut off in his youth and the
necessary precautions were not taken in
pinioning his arms. As soon as the trap
fell, he loosened his arms and took hold Of
the rope which Of course could not strange
him. In vain did the Provost Marshal pull
on his feet while some Others were ousv
with the but end Of their guns. in nflicting
blows on his head, face and limbs, the I'M
fortunate sufferer would let go the rope, but
he would again re-seize it. Three times
with bis sound hand he took hold of the
rope, three times by the blows inflicted on
him, was he forced TO let it 60. He then
put his feet on the ratings of the scafold
and by repeating this manoeuvre twice, he
prolonged for sometime his miserable and
existence. Death at last put
a stop to scene which is witnessed only
in slaughter houses. Who would believe
that during this horrible scene, some in.
iernal brutes could vociferate shat sit was
good for id REBEL" yet such was the
Language OF some fiends in human shape |
known under the name Of British tories
But we must also state that some Of them /
could not behold the horrible spectacle I
and left the place with tears in their eyes