The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-12-07
HOME OF FRENCH EXILEs.
Mobiles Who Fled 10 This Stats During the
French Revolution.

der of things i'll France, was speci-
ally directed against the clergy and
nobility. Not only the King Louis
XVI, bat also large number of
the highest nobiiity, fell victims to
the wrath Of furious mobs. while
many others we're doomed to exile.
A number of the exiles decided to
found a colony in Pennsylvania.
Among the leading spirits of ihe
movement were the Niscount Louis
Mari de Noailes, the brother-in-law
of Lafayette, and the Marquis Tai
on, Partisan banker, and formerly
one of the financial directors of the
Government. The scheme for the
colony was perfected in 1898 by the
appointment of NJ. Charles Bulogne
of France, and his associate, Adam
HOPES, Of Philadelphia. as the
agents of the colony. These men
secured large body of land OH the
north branch of the Susquehauna
in (now) Bradford County, and
proceeded at once to erect houses
and other necessary buildings for
the colonists. The settlement thus
formed was named, quite appro
priately, Asylum" and was locat.
ed near the present town of Wya-
lusing Some so or more houses
were built, besides several saw
mills and a gristmill. A weekly
post was established with Philadel-
phia, bringing the colonists in close
touch with civilization.
Besides the distinguished men al
ready named were the following of
patrician rank: Beaulieu. de Bal
cons. Dandelot, de Montule, Dupet-
it Thouars, La Port, lie Fevre and
others.
MANY DISTINGUISHED MEN.
The colony became the objective
point of many eXiles who did not
contemplate permanent stay.
Among this number were some of
great distinction. Louis Phillip,
who i'll after years assembled the
throne of France, was one of these
During his stay of several weeks at
Asylum he was the guest of NJ
Talon. The Count de la Rochefou.
cauld, noted as traveller and auth.
or, and also Prince Tallyrand, one
OF the greatest characters of French
history, were also here at this time.
Obviously, the French colonists,
most of whom were born and reared
i'll atfluence and luxury, were i'll
adapted for the work they had un-
dertaken. To subdue a wilderness
and to erect homes in virgin lands
was sufficiently difficult for the
German and Scotch, Irish and 9TH
er sturdy yeomanry OF Pennsylvan-
Ia, but when undertaken by gentry
whose hands were not injured 20
toll the project was doomed to fail
ure.
After struggling for several years
with adverse circumstances, the
colonists were joyfully surprised by
a sudden and fav rable turn of at
fairs III France. Following in quick
succession the power of the Jacob.
ins was broken; the tyrant Robe.
spierre met the fate which he had
mercilessly meted out to hundreds
OF others; the eXilian edict was re-
voked, and all exiles invited to re-
turn by the new regime.
The Asylum colonists were not
slow to avail themselves of these
unfavorable circumstances for a
Frenchman, above all others, is at
tached to his native land. One by
one the emigres disposed of their
holdings and effects and departed
for France. In few years the lit
tie town was almost deserted, and
in less than eight years from its
founding the French colony of ex-
lied noblemen had ceased to exist.
FATE OF SOME OF THE coLoN1sTs.
The subsequent history of some
OF the exiles is thrilling, and in
some instances of mournful interest.
Monsieur Boulogne, the efficient
agent OF the colonists, was accident
ally drowned in the Loyalsock
Creek, where Forksville, Sullivan
County, is now situated. This sad
event occurred on July 26, 17o5, as
he was returning from Williams
port, whittier he had gone on busi-
ness.
The Viscount de Ncailles was
commissioned brigadier general
upon his return, and sent on an ex.
pedition to Santo Domingo. He
was mortally wounded while lead
ing in the capture of British YES
sci near Havana. Admiral Dupet-
it Thouars had made all improve
ment on the present site OF Du shore
in (now) Sullivan County. The