Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-04-03
The Mysteries of History.

"''' 9SHodI Vi emlnence, ana editor OF the
most prcmlnet journal in the empire, at Leipsic.
lie is represented as one of those learned and
indefatgable men of letters whom Germany
produces in greater numbers than any other
country.
M Balan has devoted much time to historical
researches and writings, and while narrating
Important events, and developing great political
laws, he says he has taken lively interest in
those minor details which illustrate the men and |
manners of the times, and especially in myste-
rlous and inexplicable incidents, and individuals
OF ambiguous or energetic character. The ac-
counts of the conspiracy which led to the muir
der of the Emperor Paul. and the accession of
his son Alexander to the throne of Russia, is
full of interest We cannot make room for the
whole narrative, but the particulars of the as
sassination will not occupy great deal OF
space. They differ somewhat from every descrip- |
ton OF the awful tragedy that we have ever be-
fore seen. But the statement contains internal
evidence of lis authenticity. We take up the
narrative at the time when one of the aids de-
camp of the Emperor had guided the conspira
tors to his bedroom.
Prince Zoubow and General Benningsen were
in full uniform, with hat on head, and sword in
hand. They stood before the Emperor's bed,
and said to him" Sire, you are prisoner p
The Emperor sat up, greatly amazed, and asked
what they wanted whereupon they repeated
their words, and declared that he must resign
the crown, enjoinlng him at the same time to
keep himself quiet. Prince Zoubow and the
aid-de-canp went to the door to call in the other
conspirators, and Benningsen was awhile alone
with the Emperor, who kept silence and alter
nately flushed and grew pale with anger. Ben
ningsen said to him" Sire, your life is at stake
you must submit to sign an act of resignation"
At that moment several officers pressed into the
room. Benningsen bade them to keep an eye
on the Emperor, and turned toward the door to
shut it.
Paul profted by the opportunity, and jumped
out of the bed. One of officers seized him by
the throat, but he broke from his grasp, and
sprang behind great fire screen and fell. For
the last time Benningsen called out" Sire, do
nothing; your life is at stake" But the Empe-
ror got up and turned toward the table, on which
he had several loaded pistols.
At the moment when the mass of the conspi-
rators rushed upon him, noise was heard at
the door, 1t was an officer with a detachment
who came to take Benningsen's orders, and re-
ceived directions from him to guard the entrance
Meanwhile the Emperor was thrown upon the
ground by the conspraors, who ventured to lay
their ruthless hands upon their sovereign. II
was affirmed positively that certain Yeschwel
by birth Tartar, was the first who received the
monarch in his regicide arms. After q tolerablS
powerful resistance, Paul was thrown down, ant
strangled with the military sash of an officer o
the Sremonowskoy guard, named Scariatin
which had been originally intended, it is said
to bind the Emperors feet.
During the brief contest, which lasted barrel,
ten minutes, the Emperor was heard to ask wha
they wanted of him. An officer answered tina
"they ought to have settled matters with hin
long before" Most of the conspirators wer'
intoxicated with wine.
1t seems without donbt that the master o
the horse, Nicholas Zoubow, strangled the I'm
peror with his own hands He was tall man
with rather fine features, but Of a wild expire s.
sion. He died rather young, still in office; bu
it must be presumed neither the Emperor Alex
ander nor the Empress Mother ever knew wha
an immediate share Count Nicholas had in th'
murder. In the ambassadors report, already
several times referred to, IS the following:-
"It is only too certain that this last act o
barbarity was committed by person, (NichoIa
Zoubow who had on that same evening suppe'
with the Emperor"
The memoir continues -" 1t is difficult t.
give with certainty the names Of all the murder
ers, and so TO denounce to future centuries tn
memory of those who dipped their reckless
hands in their sovereign's blood.
"The number of the consprator's was large
and it must be stated, to the scandal OF thu
time, that SO great was the hatred Of Paul, AM
the inveteracy Of his foes, that in 1871 hos
of officers were found who boasted OF having
taken part in the murder, without really having
had anything to do with it.
The names of Nicholas Zoubow and Genera
Tschtcherin. and those of Mansurow, TatarmoV
and Yrschwel, are handed down as those of tn
chief actors in the tragedy. 1t may be positive
y stated that Count Prince Zoubow, Count Va
erian Zuubow, and Generals Bennngsen, an
Talzin had no personal share in it ; and perhap
it is now due to the memory of the late Coun
} Vaerian Zoubow, deceased in 1904 to sa
that his tears of regret at the tragcal and uneS
pected issue of the affair were mingled wit
those of the son of Paul l."
Shut up in his apartment Alexander uwaite
the result of the undertaking. General UwaI
wo and Colonel Nicholas Borosdn RENAME
with him to defend him in case Of need, and
share with him the dangers of possible failure
Count Valerian Zoubow now went to hin
: and had some difficulty in obtaining admission
He found him dressed in uniform and lying o
/ a sofa, and informed him OF his fathers depos
, ton, of the commencement of his own reigI
f and finally of Paul's death. 1t is well known thu
} this last news threw him in terrible despair
The Empress Mary had heard noise in tn
palace, and had been informed that movemeT
was taking place against the Emperor, her hui
band. She endeavored to go to him, but ser
tries had been posted in all the avenues leadln
to his apartments, with orders to prevent her pal
n SAGE. An officer to whom the Empress applied
sent to General Benningsen for further order
e Benningsen charged him, on his life, not to Il
. her leave her apartment, An attempt she mac
in another quaTter to reach the Grand Duke