New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-22
THE NEW INoUrsITrON.


since the outbreak of the French Revolution, and
by the scarcely less important history which IS
going on under its own eyes, has nearly forgotten
the events and the institutions which occupied
the thoughts aud excited the feelings OF its pre-
decessors. In the days that are past and gone,
the whole Protestant world, aud the better part
of the Catholic world, grew pale with horror and
indignation at the name of the Inquisition. Its
sudden and secret arrests, its brutal officers, its
impassive judges, its gloomy dungeons, and the
tortures it inflicted on men and women guilty OF
no crime, save unpopular opinions, were infamous
in all lands, and were especially odious and alb
horred in free and Protestant England and
America.
century ago the outos dc tt were as
continued, and the last hereto suffered death oy
FIRE, aud even in bigoted Spain the lnqulslton
wlthered before the light Of Civilization until 1t
was swept away by the French invaders IN loOo,
and after temporary revival under the despos
Ferdinand VII, was finally abolished in 1885.
For century no human being has been burnt
o. the stake in any part OF the known
world until, under tho influence Of pro-
slavery fanaticism fercer and more malig-
nant than the fanatcism of Spain in its
worst days. the GROWING atrocity OF the lnqssi-
ton was revived IN the Slave States Of this
country. With the burnings to death have been
revived, also, the whipping., the brnndngs, the
midnight arrests and the cruel imPrisOnments OF
the Inquistion. The punishment Of death BY
fire. We believe, is reserved exclusively fer ne
groes. We have heard Of no case where it has
yet been inflicted on white men or women. The
prescribed modes of punishment for them, when
convicted or suspected of erroneous opinions, are
personal tortures not affecting life, and imprlson-
ment, and exile. Bot even these milder forms
of correction are dealt out by the Dew lnqnlsi-
ton to its victims with grim severity that
would have extOrted smils OF appreciation from
tue sternest Inquisitor. General OF old Spain.
The latest case that has fully come TO light Of
the doings of ths tribunal viii be found in THE
TRIBUNE to-day. 1t is the statement Of Mrs.
Catherine Bottsford awidow lady Of this city, now
re,idu,s at No. l57 Hudson street. 10 December,
1859. she want n Charleston on business, with no
purpose OF meddling with local institutions, al
though entertaining decided opinions uufavorable
~ Slavery. During her stay in the city she held
no conversation with colored people, and said
nothing about Slavery except when her opinion
was asked, when she gave it frankly in friendly
and becoming manner. On the 27th OF Septem-
Der lest, "a largo and coarse man, who said he
WINS an officer of the Viglant Police, rudely en-
tered her room, aud arrested her without war
A l.. n. chs al ham
AL Abohtionist, and must come before the
Mayor Still feeble from recent alness, she was
forced TO 20 with him, and without seeing the
Mayor was taken 10 the common jail. where
she was thrust into q dark and filthy Cell, where
she was kept rithom food during the rest Of the
day, all night and oil the succeeding day. On
the afternoon OF the second day she was brought
before the Mayor, and tina. fuuetionary told her
she was accused Of treason and seditl0n, of tam
pering with slaves, and of being on Abolitionist
and an admirer of John Brown The charge of
with slaves she denied, but admAted
that she WAS an Abol,tionst, and admired John
Brown. The Mayor remarked that he had heard
nothing against her character, that she was
reputed to be quiet aud respectable, but said she
must give bail for good conduct or return TO
jail She replied that it was impossible for her
to give bail, and was accordingly taken back to
her cell. ....,...s. ....E
An hour or two later che was taken before an
other magistrate, one Kanepaux, who told her
thai nothing but her sex prevented tbem from
hanging her on one of the trees in the park
With him she held the following coloquy,
"Are you not an Aboitonist !" 4
"Yes, am"
"You are charged with treason and sedition,
and tampering with slaves"
"Al these charges are utterly false, j have
said nothing to the slaves, they do not know
me-"
ado you hold correspondence North, and no
ceive papers and lettersi"
"Only from my nearest friends few letters,
no papers,"
.Do you not road THE TRIBUNEf"
"No; because 1 cannot get it here, should
read it if could get it," B..
"YOu need not answer al my questions' you
may commit yourself"
mo fear of that, Sir; am perfectly willing !
to answer your questiOnsi there Is ncIhIng 70
conceal"
few more questions were asked, which she !
answered readily and was then remanded 70 JAIL
where the friends with whom she resided Were
at length allowed to see her and to bring her
food. The Rev. DR.. Howe Of st. Philips Church.
hearing that she was member Of Church, came |
also to see her after some days. She repeats the
following conversation with this Reverend COM
forter of those in affection:
.,Wby are YOU here, and what have son done "