The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-04-20

positions In iayoF Of Lesuruues ith extreme
prejudice; those alFaadv heard seemed htfis
better than eonniyance, and those vet 10 b
heard were listened to with such suspicion -
to have no effect. Tie conviction Of his auif
was fixed IN every mind. Lesurquos, dsnsir-
ing to get over such fatal appearances ceased
his energetic denials, and awaited hB sen
tence in gloomy silence. The jury retired.
At this moment woman, agiialed with tue
most violent emotions, demanded 10 spesk 10
the President. She said that she wasmoved
BY the voice Of conscience, and wished % save
the criminal tribunal from a doubtful error. Il
was Madelaino Breban, the mistress ofCour.
iol. Brought before the President, she declare
ed that she knew positively Lesurques was in
noceni, and lhatfthe Witnesses, deceived b. al
nexplicable resemblance, had conioundod him
with the real culprit, who wac called Dubosq
Pejudiced ss they were against L.esurques
and suspicious Of ali testimony after the pFeiu.
" they had already detected he hibunai scar
cely listened to Madelain Brehan and he ju@
ryreturned with their verdict 10 consequence
Of which, Couriol Lesurqucs. and Bernard
were condemned 70 death Richerd 10 four
and-twenly years imprisonment Gusno and
Bruer were acquitted:
No sooner was The sentence passed than
Lesurques rose calmly, and addressing tbs
Judges, said, II am innocent Of tho crime II
which am accused. All, citoyens, II Il is
horrible 10 murder on the highroads, Il is not
less so 10 murder by the law 2"
Couriol condemned to death, rose and said
II am gully; avow IT, But Lesurques Is in
nocent' and Bernard did not.pa1ticipate IN the
murder"
-Four times he reherated this .declaration
and, on entering bis prison, he wrote 70 the
Judge letter full Of sorrow and repentance,
IN which be said,'l have mover known LesuF.
ques my aecompices arc Vidal, Rossi, Dur
ochal, and Dubosq. The resemblance ollie,
surques to Dubosq has deceived the witness
SEES"
To this declaration Of Courol was joined
that Of Madelaine Breban who after tho judg-
ment, returning 10 renew her protestation, &C
companied BY two individuals, who sWore that,
before the trial, she had told them Lesurqnes
had never had any relations with the culprits;
but that he was a victim Of his fatal likeness TO
DubOsg. These testimonies threw doubt in
the minds Of the magistrates, who fastened to
demands reprieve from the Directory, which
terrified at the idea Of seeing an innocent man
perish through judicial error had recourse
to the Corps LegislatG for every other re-
source was exhausted. The Message Of the
Directory TO the Five Hundred was pressing
its aim was to demand a repreiye, and decis-
ion as to whatcourse to pursue. Il ended thus
"Mus9 Lesurques perish on the scafold be-
cause lie resembles a william ?"
The Corps LsgislatiG passed 10 the order
the day, as every condition hadbeen legally
fulfilled, that particular case could not justify
an infraction Of dCcreed laws; aud hat, 100
on such indications, TO do away with con-
demnation legally pronounced BY jury would
be to overset all ideas Of justice and equality
before the law.
The right Of pardon had been abolished;
and Lesurques had neither resources nor hope.
He bore his fate with frmness and resigna-
ton, and wrote, On the day Of bis execution,
this note 10 his wife
"Ma bonnie Annie; There is no GLIDING one's
destiny was faIed to be judicially murder
ed. shah at least bear il with proper cour-
age. send you my locks q hair when our
children are grown up you will divide it among
them it IS the only heritage can leave
them"
He addressed also letter to Dubosq through
the newspapers. "You, in whose place | am
about to perish content yourself with the sa-
,rifco Of my life. Should you ever be brought
10 justice, remember my three children COW
cred with opprObrium- -remember my wife re-
iuoed 10 despair, and do not longer prolong
their misiorIunes'"