Columbus Democrat., 1841-02-06
NAPOLEON.

We take from the Journal of Commerce an
extract from long and interesting letter of
a correspondence at ST. Helena giving an ac-
count OF the dsluterment of NAPoLEoNs te-
mans. Great care, il seems, was taken 10 pre-
serve them from violation aud from decay. The
precise account of the condition of the body
when the collins were opened, (which we add
Will be read with much more interest ihan all the
yauntlng OF the oseAaous pageautty which at
tended their deposltes IN the lnvalIdes,
From the letter to tho Joaraal Of Commerce dated
at ST. Haleaa, November q 1910.
The tomb was at this time in the presence Of the
above famed persons found as enIre and perfect
as II was Immediately after the iuterment of Ma
poIeon on the 9th Of May, 1921. The first
thing removed was the Iron railing which encom-
passed the top pant Of the tomb and the stone
coping 10 which it had been inserted. The SUI
face occupied space Of about twelve feet BY s,
covered with three slabs of Portland stone, half a
foot IN thickness resting upon masonry embrace
ed by iron bands. These slabs were displaced
little before two O'Clock. Immediately was
exposed to view wall, being the four sides Of
the vault, foot inches thick; width OF the vault
feet inches, depth | feet, length feet
Under the three slabs there was a vacuum Of 6
inches. When the earth was taken away, there
was a solid layer Of Roman cement to the ex.
tent 6 feet u inches. la a shor, time tins was
all taken away by much txerton with chissels
The commissioners, all the time walchlul, with
a number Of lighted lanterns then descended as
far as the progress oihe work would allow them
Tor the purpose oil ascertanlng whether all was
right. Al this moment, when the layer Of ce-
ment had been removed, bed of 10 IL inches
OF masonry OF hard stone was exposed to view,
strongly secured by IRON clamps, aud well cemen-
,ed.--Nearly five hours were expended in ac-
! complIshing this part Of the work, which at one
time the English commissioner thought he would
not be able 10 accomplish aud he therefore saw
lt to issue orders to clear away the exterior earth
and commence taken down the north side of the
vault, in order 10 effect an entrance to the chain.
Der IN which lay the remains Of the great deceas.
ed but by eight O'Clock the object without this
operation being finally accomplished he gave dl.
rections 10 desIst. At this time the workmon
had got to the depth of nearly six feet.
When this masonry had been finally removed,
| there was found Immediately under, Portland
stoEe slab, about half foot lnlck (eet7 IL in.
ches long by feet vide, covering and forming
| the upper surface Of the chamber. All around
this was as perfect as 1t twas on the day il was
laid. Into these slabs in order TO raise them holes
were drilled by means Of chlsels, aud iron rings
we're put in, so as 10 lift them out. Itwas new
nearly 10 o'clock, and Dr. Gulllard purified the
tomb with certain preparations he had preyi.
ously got ready. The slabs were then lifted to
the surface Of the earth with tackles fastened to
spars, and put at the side of the vault, aud as
soon as Napoleons coffin came into sight, the
French chaplin spnnked holy water Eau Be.
nHe) all over The tomb, and then read psalm ode
proiundls," al which moment all pei sons present
out Of resPeci,took ofrlheir hats. The commission
ers,wth their wonted watchfuncss, ,agaIn descen.
ded INTO the vault. when they found the coffin Of
Napoleon as sound it was on the first day ofits
deposIte there with the exception only Of small
part OF the bottom, which was slightly decayed.--
1t must be observed that the bottom of this cham.
brr rested upon several stone pillars, equidlstant
Iiom each other, so placed that the soakage from
J adjoining h might pass off without lnuung the
chamber. Iais proved 10 be an excellent pEeeaa-
tlonary measure. The Governor being unwe
at Plantation House,had gwen Captain Alexander
orders to proceed ,nus far without his presence