Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-09
SPANISH ROBBERIES.


During my stay for fortnight in the capital
heard Of three robberies in the streets. One
of them was conducted in most singular man
ner.-The victim Twas returning from party
ut the French ambassadors, when he was accos-
ted by several men and ordered to give up his
money; which, being alone and unarmed, he
did; the robbers then handed him piece OF pa
per which, without looking at, he put in his
pocket. This happened near the foot of the Al
Gala; aud when he arrived at the top of the
street, he was again stopped and asked whether
he had not piece OF paper. He produced the
paper he had received at the foot of the street,
which was certificate ofhs being robbed, and
he was allowed to pass Immediately. The
Spaniards are certainly iadrones de garbo, as
the newspaper editor has il; for they give one
the option Of either fighting or paying; where
as, an Italian would first shoot you from be-
hind hedge, and then rob you Afterwards
The most singular instance of the GOODNESS and
intrepdty of the Spanish character ] have
heard occurred not long ago at Seville. My
informant was an English traveller who resi-
de1 at the time in the town.
countryman was proceeding to market
with his mule, when he was accosted not far
from the town by man armed with musket,
who ordered him to give up his property. The
peasant replied that he would do no such thing,
because he had a knife, and il his opponents
gun missed fire he would then have the advan-
tage. The robber expostuated, but to no pur-
pose: he at length took deliberate aim at his
intended victim, drew the trigger, and his piece
missed fire; the peasant instantly attacked and
dispatched him with knife, threw the dead
body across his mule, and entered Seville in
triumph, carrying as a trophy the arms of his
enemy. This wild species Of justice is certain
ly excusabe in country where no other Is
obtained "A Summer in SD1in
AFRICAN ATROcITIEs.-The following
heart-chng recitals are contained in a letter
received BY the Secretaries of the Wesleyan
Missionary Society, from the Rev. Robert
Brooking, one of the Society's missionaries in
Western Africa, read in the principal Wesleyan
chapels in England; II is dated Kumasi Feb
ID, 1912. The reverend gentleman, after de-
scribing many things of minor Importance, pro-
ceeds TO add: -
"On the 9th of last month (January) one of
the Kings daughters died, and custom was
made during which three poor creatures were
hurried into eternity in the shape of sacrifices,
one of whose headess trunks saw dragged
through the market place. On Sunday, the
9th, after preaching, | went TO take the air,
when came unexpectedly upon the headrss
trunk of human being who had been executed
few minutes previously. His hands were
also Topped off, and one of the execuioners
was engaged in cutting off part Of the chin
with the beard on it. On the 18th the old
chief Kumassi died. in consequence of which a
larger custom was made. During the day 3
persons were sacrificed saw the pushing OF
a knife through the cheek of one poor creature
70 prevent her cursing the King. This was
done almost instantaneously, alter which her
bands were tied behind her back, and in this
state she was left some time until executed
On the 18th, two persons were executed for
conspiracy and treason. ! saw those persons
with knives driven through their cheeks, their
hands fastened by iron staples 10 logs Of wood. |
saw the head Of one Of them struck of. His
heart was then taken out, and also one Of his
ribs, all Of which was done in the sight of
survivor. They both retained their faculties
till the last moment, and were quite aware of
what was going on. On the 18th, while re-
turning from the Kings house, saw the head
and hand Of one Of those who were executed
the preceding day carried by an individual
with as much uncOnceKn as butchers boy |
would carry the head ola sheep.
On the a2d fire broke out, which was soon
exiinguished. Scarcely was that done, how
ever when house in another part of the town
took fire, during which time the wind blew
rather strong, and the fire spread and burnt
down three-fourths of the most thickly pop
nlated part Of the town in the incredibly shoit
space Of four hours. | never saw such q scene
before; the fire ragged with incredible fury. Ii
was truly heart-rending to see women and
children retreating before it. On the 90th
man Of consequence died, and twelve individ-
uals were sent into another world to accom-
pany him, five of whose headless trunks and
six heads were lying together at one time
in the streets. Our reception was good, and
our prospects are delightful; yet the scenes we
sometimes witness are absolutely revolving to
human nature"
The British Treaty.-Extract Of a letter
from Mr. Gushing To a friend in this town, da-
ted Washington, November 9th, ls42.
81 had the pleasure Of seeing to-day the rati-
fed treaty, lately 'concuded between the United
States and Great Britain. The receipt Of it
here constitutes the completion of the most
important diplomatic act in which the United
States have been concerned, since the treaty
of Client. Ii is an event of which the Adj
mlnistration may justly be proud. And the
document itself, is an attractive object, indie
Pendently Of the political interests Of the irca-
~. II will take its place among the archives
of the government, for the curious inspection
IF future generations. | send you brief de-
scription of it.
The treaty is fairly engrossed in thin vol
ume of folio ruled paper, bound in crimson vel
vet, with ribons To tie the covers together.
when closed; depending from which, by Two
silveror silk cords with large tassels, Of the
same materials, is the seal, five or six inches in
lliamiter and an inch thick.-Ths seal is con-
tanned in a silver b,x or case, stamped on the
cover with beautiful raised impression of
the British arms, and represents Queen Vic
tora on horse back with page leading the
horse, and surrounding the figures the legend
Victoria Del Gralia Briianniarum Regina Fid-
ii Defensor.' The signature to the ratification
by the Queen, is in a large and bold hand,