Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-09-21
miscellaneous.
TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF
CHARLOTTE CORDAY.

When she was seated on the bench of
the prisoners, she was asked if she had a
defender. She replied that friend had
undertaken this office, but not seeing him,
she supposed his courage failed him. The
President then assigned her the young
Chanveau Lagarde, aIterward illustrious by
his defence Of the Queen, and already IA
nous for his eloquence and courage in eau
ses and times when the advocate shared the
peril of his client. Chauveau Lagarde pla-
ced himself at the bar. Charlotte gazed on
him, as though she feared lest, to save her
life, her defender would abandon some part
Of her honor.
The widow Of Marat wept while giving
her evidence. Charlotte, moved by her
grief, exclaimed
Yes, yes-'twas that killed him
She then related the premeditation of the
act for three months; her project of stab
bling him in the Convention and the rusc
she had employed to obtain access to him.
confess said she, with humility, that
this means was unworthy of me but it was
necessary to appear to esteem this man in
order to obtain access to him.
Who inspired you with this hatred of
Marat! she was asked
did not need the hatred of any one
else,' she replied. ly own was sufficient
besides, you always execute badly tina,
which you have not devised YOURSELF
What did you hate in him 2
His crimes
What did you hope to effect by killing
himp
Restore peace to my country
Do you, then, think that you have as
sasslnated all the Marats!'
Since he is dead, perhaps the others will
trembe
The knife was shown her that she might
recognize it, She pushed it from her with
gesture Of disgust.
Yes replied she recognize it,
What persons did you visit at Caen 2
Very few saw Larne, "a municipal
officer, and the Cure of Saint Jean.
Did you confess 20 u confirming or nom
juring priest!
Neither one nor the other
Since when had you formed this de-
signP
Since the 3lst of May, when the depu-
ties Of the people were arrested | have
killed one man to save a hundred thousand.
was a republican long before the Reyolu-
ton
Fauchet was confronted with her.
: only know Fauchet by sight, said she,
disdalniully. i look on him as Il man de-
void Of principles; and despise him.
Tie accuser reproached her with having
dealt the fatal stroke downward, in order to
render 1t more certain, and observed she
must be well exercised in crime. AT this
suggestion, which destroyed all her ideas,
by assmllatng her to protested murderers,
she uttered cry of horror.
Oh, the monster exclaimed she, he
takes me for an assassin
Fouquier Tinvile summed up, and de-
manded that sentence of death should be
passed
Her defender rose. The accused, said
he, coniesses her crimes, she avows its long
premedltailon, and gives the most over
whelming details. Citizens, this is her
whole defence. This imperturbable calm
and entire iorgetlulness Of self, which re-
veals no remorse in the presence OF death
this calm and this iorgetiulness, sublime
in one point of view, is not natural; they
can only be explained by the excitement OF
political fanaticsm, which placed the poign-
ard in her hand. 1t is for you TO decide
what weight so stern a fanaticism should
have in the balance Of justice. leave all
10 your consciences.'
The jury unanimously sentenced her to
die. She heard their verdict unmoved and
the president having asked her if she had
anything to say relative to the punishment
inflicted on her, she made no reply but
turning to her defender, Monsieur said
said she, you have defended me as l wish
10 be defended thank you; | owe you q
proof of my gratitude and esteem, and ! Of
fer you one worthy Of you. These gentle