The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-01-15
ST. HELENA.
THE JAGGED ROCK THAT WAS
NAPOLEON'S LIVING TOME.
His Couqueror, Wellington, OriSI-
mated the Idea Of Perpetual Ban
ishmcnt-The Life and Death or
the Distinguished Captive.
Z R. MACKNlGHT. for 70

the Disttls uishcd Captive
\ TR. MACKNIGHT, for four
Nj years United States Consul
Y a. the island Of st. Helena,
gives the following new
historical facts cleaned upon the spot
and describes the scenes Of NapoIeon's
exile:
First, I can give a historical fact,
which think has not yet been pub
Hshed, that throws some light upon
the selection Of this spot by Great
Britain on which 90 imprisou the great
general. After ne had surrendered
himself % the courtesy Of that Govern
ment, there was naturally m ezcit-
ing discussion IN regard 70 the dispo-
sitio1 20 be made Of him, WELLINGTON.
who was given the credit OF Waterloo,
and whose name was Landed TO the
skies by all the Conservatives of
Europe, was naturally consulted.
The Duke hal several accounts to set
tie with Napoleon. Early in the cen
fury he had been recalled from a most
desirable billet N India 70 fight with
the Spaniards against Bonaparte in the
Peninsula, and his resentment against
his now prOstrnte foe was OF that bitter
kind which Is eagendered IN some
minds mot the greatest or BEST by the
genius and success Of rival or oppo-
neut.
Returning from India in 1906.
Weliington's ship touched at St.
Helena, as nearly oil ships from the
East did IN those days, and the sol
der was struck with the utter bar
renness AMI isolation of the place.
When first seen from an approaching
vessel the island looks like a solitary,
Jagged rock, intensely forbidden.
Wellington was getting into the ships
gig after taking leave Of the civil and
military authorities OF the island.
when he said To the Governor:
If had an enemy whom | wished
TO bury alive III send him to this isl
and.
The overthrow of Napoleon gave
him the enemy ani the wish, AMI he
did not forget the place.
The proceedings of the council
which condemned Napoleon to q living
tomb were secret, but there is no
doubt that Wellington was the origi-
lator of the thought which developed
into that savage Punishment.
Sentence was no sooner pro
nounced than arrangements we're made
for execution. The huge three
decker warshIp Northumberland was
selected TO convey the august prisoner
to his island jail. His treasures were
taken from him, only few of his
friends were permitted to follow him
into exile, and n the middle Of sum
mer the big ship set sail for the
tropics, escorted By two armed cor
vettes.
The visitor to St. Helena in these
times can reach the island in sixteen
days from southampton, the distance
being 5000 miles, bu5 the NOrthum-
berland was seventy days en- route.
Napoleon reached the island in Oc-
tOber and was not allowed 20 land m
til the third day after mis- arrival, be
cause the orders to prepare for him
had inst been received, and there was
10 place ready. IEe' island was then
one Of the most fourisling ports Of
CAL in the Atlantic Ocean, and was
governed by tue East Indie Company.
Iany rich a-l cultivated families con
necteI with the civil and military de-
p8rInects dveIt on the island and had
elegant homes IN the country.
St. Helena Is only rock ten miles
by six In extent, AMI contains little
more than 3d., 900 acres Of superficial
area.
The Governor occ1piei a spacious
mansion IN the country, called Plan
tation House. The grounds about
this house are superb even now, re-
mlnding one OF fine old English
country home
After dusk on the evening Of the
third day after the NOrthumberlani's
arrival Napoleon was taken ashore.
Troops were massaI at the llnIirz.
and carriage was in waiting TO take
the prisoner into jamestown.
Napoleon WIS LODGED the first night
with q private family IN plain, two
story stone house, the walls OF which
are still Standing, adjoining the park.
October Is one Of the most disa gree
able months Of the year in jamestown.
as the air IS then intensely close anI
humid
Napoleon was greatly distressed By
the gloomy aspect anil sultrinsss of
the place, and his first night ashore
was one Of intense discomfort Sir
George CoeSd1ru. the admiral m
whose rra--a Dr.. -- -f,. 9 L. AL