Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, August 29, 1880, Page 9

oan THE CHICAGO ‘TRIBUNE: “SUNDAY, AUGUST xy, 1880—SIXTEEN PAGES &. THOMAS PAINE, is Relations to the French ‘Revolution of 1789. avery Interesting Paper by the Hon. E. B. Wash- burne. paine’s French Career Eminent- ly Creditable in Many Respects. How Be, Washington, Hamilton, and Madison Were Made French Citizens, 1s Determined Opposi- ion to the Execution of Louis XVI. paine de Openly Denounces Robespierre, Is : Arrested, and Imprisoned for Several Months. Tadoubtedly Destined to Be Guillo- tined, He Is Saved by the Fall of Robespierre, jd Is "Finally Released upon the In- ferrention of the American Min- ister, James Monroe. 1. Waskburne in Scribner's Magazine Be Hon B, Be Wary eemiber, ‘he relations which Thomas Paine held to the French Revolation of 1789 do not appear to have serbeon very widely treated upon ix all that lasixen written and. sald of that remarkable | gn, 1248 not the purpose of the present paper totuuch upon the controversy in regard to his personal character and habits, bis writings, and hisalleced want of religious belief, which has to some extent agitated public opinion for three- quarters of a century. Setting aside all the heated discussion in relation to bim, both in | England and in our country, it 15 simply pro- posal to review his carcer in France in the midst of the most stupendous events ever st down in the annals of any nation. A somewhat extended study of the French Revo- lution, during the extraordinary period in which Paine was so intimately connected with It, fails toshow anything to the prejudice of his person- aj or political enaracter, but, on the other hand, itreveats many things EXIXENTLY CREDITABLE TO HIM. Paine was in Paris in the earlier days of the Revolution and at the time of the tlizht of Louis XVI. and his family, and when they were brought back to that revolutionary city. He was coon ‘heard of asa member of a little soci~ ety which took the name of “Sooiété Répub- licaine,” and which was composed of only five members. Three of them, including Paine, aft- erward became members of the National Con- ‘vention, Tuking the ground that ‘the flight of the King should be deemed an “abdication,” this Society was formed for the purpose of opposing the reéstablishment of Louis XVI., “nut only in reason of the taults which were personal tohim, but for the purpose of over- turning entirely the monarchical system and es- tablishing the republican system and equal rep- resentation."" Asthe organ of this Soctety and in elabora- tion of its views, Paine drew up in English a fatement to be placanded on the: wails of Paris. Itwastranslated into French, and, as the law required that all bandbilis should be signed by a titken before they were posted, Achille Ducha- telet,2 member of the Society, and afterward a Lieutenant-General of tbe armics of the French Republic, affixed his name thereto. The ap- pearance of the handbill CREATED A GREAT SENSATION. Malouet, a Roralist member of the National Asenbly, tore it down with his own hands, and proposed that the author (Paine), the signer @uchatelet), and their accomplices should be prosecuted. Martineau, also a Royalist member of the Assembly, vehemently demanded the ar rex of all the parties connected with the hand: Uill, and denounced as infamous a proposition that was made in the Assembly to “pass to,the order of the day,” on the subject (equivalent in curiegislative practice to “taying on the ta-, ble"), “After anexctted debate the motion to “pass to the order of the day" was carried, and bo the matter dropped. Some time after this, Paine, deeply im- Pregnated with the doctrines of the French Hevolunop, returned to England. The Publication, in 1789, of Mr. Burke's “ Reflections onthe French Hevolution” produced a great | excitement throughout all England. Up to that ‘Ume, while there was sn intense interest felt Jouching events in France, distinctive parties badnot been formed. The immediate conse- Suence, however, of the publication of Mr. Burke's “Reflections” was the formation of Parties friendly and unfriendly to the Freach Hevolation. Fox and Sheridan antagonized Mr. Burke. ‘The publication of Mr. Burke was soon followed by the first purt uf Paine’s great work, “THE RIGHTS OF MAN.” Tals last publication added fuel to tho flame.” Itwas disseminated by all the democratic socie- een Bngland, and particularly among the lower Casses. The excitement. increasing, Paine was Sually indicted fora * wicked and seditious livel ” Suibe British Government. He had by thistime become intensely unpopular with the ruling Gusses of England, Prosecuted under the in- lctment, he wus defended by Erskine, who was then in the zenith of his glory us an advocate, in & Specch of marvelous power and eloquence. Afterhe had concluded his magniticent effort, tke Attorney-General rose to reply. The jury ls informed him that they did wot desire to him, 23 they had made up thoir minds, and cae Jeuving their seats brought in a verdict had 'y. Paine was not present ut the triul. but pil made bis way to France, and was followed 2 a0 waluuche of detraction which showed how t oly he had wounded the British Government. not only the “Rights of Man.” buta faveleton othe. Decling und Failof the Ea: § i rw May Tae oe harman publishes RAISED SUCH A STORM AGAINST HDT {Bupland, The part he had taken ia our Rev- poUWY struggle had much to do with to Judice excited ayainst him in England. His mpblet, “Common Sense,” translated into iy ich, created @ great impression in France, Many of his infidel disciples claimed that it Tore intluence than a“ bettle gained.” png HEC's Teturn to Paris after leaving En- find bisworkon the “Rights of Man” was Tpted into French, and published in, May, en ye. Burke's *Hetlections on the Fronch. maclution” bad enraged the revolutionary Ree’ of Paris beyond ull meusure, and Paine's ighte of Man" was considered a triumphant culate 22 Leet masterly production. It was cir i Hig everywhere and read with great avi ingptl classes. He at.ouce becutue a hero entpeuce: Gnd was everywhere received with of Poze. The doors of the salons and clubs ‘aris were opened to him, and he was svon Forni ; ized as one of the advanced Ngures in the rile Bue Standing by the side of de Bonne- ope eTissot, and Condorcet. It is, perhaps, uot tengrondered at that his reception and tho at- showered upon him made him Both POMEWHAT VAIN AND EGOTISTICAL. igxingiand and France be “magnitied his wee” “He had simply been Clerk to the Com- Tomee. 0 Foreign Atfuire in the old Continental of Cressi, but Be stvled himeclf 2s Secretary Teirs dures for the Department of Foreign Af- Of an og thewur in America,” giving the idea fag Cxaggerated importance. His bear- fendo’ yiti8_ Period ‘scems to have of- tin, Sfadame Notand, who speaks of than her “Mémoires” in terms nvt alto tase complimentary. He affecicd a supreme Rimeett books. implying that he considered Wise above what was written.” Itis wouig. that he sald that if be had the power he Dorgecnnibilate all tne libraries of the world, he act t0 destroy the errorsof which they were sfaiue remains in Paris after the spring of teat? Hevolution sweeps onward witb a re- Dons raed Femorselves trend. The National (or mopoegtent) Assembly, composed of the most Astor geeds OF men which ever illustrated the mi of any country. terminates its existence, Dn gpevceceded by'the Legislative Assembl Honal 4, bead Ot Robesplerr me Ba Asser prohibited every man who ba: beta member of it from becoming @ member and all were lacking in legislative experience. Tr'suon proved itscle aie e UTTERLY INCAPABLE OF MEETING THE FRIGHT- : FUL, EXIGENCIES which it hnd to confront. It was overtaken by that terrible “Tenth of August” (179), when tho moi of Paris surrounded the ‘fuileries und clamored for the biood of the Royal family, and when the King and Queen and their children sought n refuge from violence in the bosom of the Assembly, which had declared its sittings en permaneuce. ° All Puris wns a prey to a supreme agitation, and the exaltation of political spirit was at its hight. The Assembly, weak, in- capable, vaciliating, and completely” de- mornlized, — still sought by every device to strengthen itself in popular estima- tion. It was this which led to the deere declaring that the titie of “French citize: should be conferred on certain foreigners, ‘The prevaliing idea that Paine was made n French citizen for the special purpose of enabling him to become a member of the lexisintive and con- stituent bodies of France, is not exactly com rect, and it is not generally known thit the hames of other Americins were included in the me decree which conferred the title of French ‘izen on Thomas Paine. It was on Sunday, the 26th of August (1792), and when the Legislative Assembiy was in per- manent sitting, and sixteen duys after the ehack- ing events of the “Tenth of August,” that Guadet, a Deputy from the Department of the Gironde, proposed, in the name of the “Com- mission Extraordinaire,” that the Assembly adopt unanimously AHE FOLLOWING PREAMBLE AND DECREE: “The National Assembly, considering that the men who, by their writings and their courage, have served the cause of liberty and prepared the enfranchisement of the people, cannot be roguried as strangers by 2 nation rendered free’ by its intelligence and courage: “Considering that, if five years’ residence in France is suilicient to confor upon a stranger the title ot French ‘citizen, this title is more justly due to those who, in whatever land they may inhabit, have consecrated their arms and enérgics to the defense of the cause of tbe peo- ple uguinst the despotism of Kings, to banish the prejudices of the enteh, and to advance the Mmits of human knowledge. * Conside faz that, as it is hoped that men one day will fn bofore the law, as_before nature, but one faimily, one assveintion, the friends of liverty and of that universal fraternity which shonld not. be the less denr toa nation that has proclaimed its renunciation of alf conquests and. its desire to fraternize with all peoples: Considering, therefore, that at the moment when a National Convention is about to tix tho destinies of France and prepire, perhaps, those of the buman race, It belongs ton generous and free people to cull to itail-the intelligences, and to aliow them the right to coneur in’ this grand act of the reason of mankind, who, by thefrsen- Uments, writings, and thelr courage, haveshown, themselves so eminently worth: “Decree, That the title of Fyench citizen be conferred on Priestly, Paine, Bentham, Wilber- force, Clarkson, Mcintosh, David Williams, Gorant, Anacharsis Clootz, Campe. Cornelius Paw, Pestatorri, Washington. Hamilton, Madi- son, Klopstoe, Kosciusko, Gilieers.” It will _be seen by tho above decree that the title of Freneb citizen was conferred on Wash- ington, Hamilton, and Madison, ns well a5 on "tine. ‘Tnis decree, s0 interesting to Americans, AWAKENS THE MOST PAINFUL SOUVENIRS of its author, Guadet. A young Deputy from the Department of the Gironde, he was the collenzue of Yergniaud, Genvonné, Ducos, Boyer-Fon- fréde, and others. He became afterward a dis- tinguished member of the party of “Girondins” in the National Convention. a parts that was composed of the ablest, the most eloquent, and { most brilliant men ia all France, and whose sad fate will ever be associuted with the worst days of the French Revolution. At a little more than 3) yearsof age he hud become a leador at the Barof Bordeaux, which then rivaled that of Paris. A Republican by conviction, earnest, able, eloquent, and courngeous, he was some- times called the “ Danton of the Gironde.” im- Petmous and aggresive. he antagonized Robespierre and the Moutugne, and confronted Danton in the very bight af bis pewer. He brave- ly resisted the uegressians of the Commune of Paris, and in retura the Commune inscribed his name among the “twenty-two” proscribed Deputies of the Gironde. Afterward be was put in accusation, with his colleagues, by a de- cree of the National Convention, but be was en- abled to escape from Purls. He was not guillo- tined with them, but was declared an outlaw; hunted by the bloodhounds of Currier, bis re- lreat was discovered at the house of his father at St. Emilon. Conducted to Bordeaux. his identity was proved before a military commis- sion, and he was IMMEDIATELY SENT TO THE GUILLOTINE. ‘With unsubdued courage he said to his judges: “I am Guadet;—butcbers, do your duty. Go with iny head in your bands and demand your pay of the tyrants of my country: they’ will hever see it without growing pale, and seeing it dissevered they will yet grow still more pale." He was executed the Istn of June, 1744, at the age of 35 years. When conducted to the senifald, he wished to address the peeple. but the rol! of the drum drowned his voice. ‘These were the only words that were heard: |“ People, here you sev the only resource of tyrants; they choke the voices of free men in order to commit their crim: Such was the fate of the author of the deerce of the National Assembly (legislative) which made Gvorge Washington, James Madi- son, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Paine Freneb citizens. ‘Of the whole number of men that were made. Freneh citizens, only two of them became mem- bers of the French legislative bodies, Thomas Paine and Anacharsis Clog. Jean Baptiste Clootz wis‘ rich Belgian Baron, ‘A chuttering madeap and fool; oe fost bis herd in the excitement of the time. and took to bim- self the nume of * Anacharsis,” and designated himself as the “orator of the human race.” ‘Traveling over Europe proclaiming the revolu- tionary doctrines of the times, in 1790 he pre- sented himself ut the bur of the National Assem- bly at the head of a deputation of “* forerguers,” as he called them, and read an address against despots, congratuinting the Assembly on its labors, and demanded that ali the foreignars in Paris sbould be admitted to the federation of the Mth of July, 1793. It turned out afterward that most of these “ foreigners” were FRENCHMEN PICKED UP IN PARIS, dressed in the fantastic costumes of different countries, whickrClootz had provided at his own expense. the day after the passage of the decree above named, Clootz was admitted to the bar of the National Assembly (legislative), where he made a ridiculous speech, thanking the Assembly for having made him a French citizen. * Cosino- politan philosophers,” he said, ** were associated with you in your dangers and your labors, and you associate them in deelaring them French citizens. As to myself, penetrated with thanks for your philosophicat decree, I feel, legislutors, how much {t honors me and how honorable it is to you. 1 pronounce the oath of fidelity to the universal nation, 10 equality, to liberty, to sov- ercignty of the human race. Gallophile of all time, my henrt is French, my soul is’ sans cu- jottes.”” [Applause] Soon after this Clootz was elected a member of the National Conven- tion from the Department of the Oise. In tho Convention he was in the first ranks of the atheists and Montugnards. He was the au- thor of a work on the certainty of the proof of Mobammedismn. which he says was the fruit of fifteen huurs' lubor a day for consecutive years. He presented that book to the Nationai Con- Yention, iu rambling and incoherent speech beneath criticism. The Convention passed the following decree: ‘ “+ Anacharsis Clootz, deputy to the Convention, baying made homuge of one of his works en- litied ‘The Certainty of the Proofs of Mobammedism,’ a work which proves the empti- ness of all religions, the Assembly accepts this homage and orders the honorable mention and insertion in the ‘Bulletin,’ and curns the book over to the Committee on Public Instruction. “The National Conyention orders the printing and forwarding to all the departments of the speech made by Anacharsis Clovtz, preceding his offer.” But in the progress of events THE POOR CLOOTZ WAS INGULFED, ‘and was svon made to realize the saying of Verg~ niaud, that * The Revolution. like Saturn. would devour ail its ebildren.” He wus embraced in the prosecution of tho Hébertistes. The crime imputed to Clootz, whom Louis Blane calls the most devoted of the adopted children of France, was & participation in a couspiracy with foreizn- ers, ‘The proof of that conspiracy only amounted w this, that he hud taken some steps to know it a French womnu, who bud gone to Enyland to get married, was or was not 4 political emigrant, Put thia was envugh. Clootz, was tried by the revolutionary ‘Tribunal, jointly with nine- teen others knowa us the Udbertistes; he js deseribed as: “Jean Baptiste Clootz, calied Anncbarsis, aged 38 years, born at Cléves, Belgium; ‘livmg in France since 11 years, ‘domiciled’ at Paris, rue Ménars, 153; be- fore the Kevolution a man of letters, and subse- quently a member of the Convention.” All the derotion which Clootz had shown for France availed him nothing before the Kevolutionary ‘Tribunal, but {t was rather to bis prejudice, Benaudin, one of the Jury. said to him: “Your system of a universal Republic was a profoundly meditated pertidy. and gave a pre- Text for a _coulition of crowued beads uzainst France." Clootz quietly answered that the woi- Yersal Republic was in the natural system; that he bad spoken, a6 the Abbé de St Pierre, of universal pence; that they certainly cond suspect him of being a parusan of Kings, and that it would certainly be very extraordinary that man who had“ been burned at Rome, hung — at London and broken on the wheel at Vienna should be guillotined at Paris. ‘He was, however, SENT TO THE SCAFFOLD with his associates, the Hébertistes, and with many others, accused uf the lowest crimes, 00 the “itn of March, 174. ‘The “ orator of the bu- man mice” marched to hig destiny with the cour- age of a philosopher and a swile upun his lips. It was with shame that inany suw him im the midst of robbers, and sitting at the side of one Ducroquet, ebarged with baving robbed a pro- vision-curt, The bearing of Clootz at the scaf- fold was admirabio for its sang froid. ‘Thouzh gcouting all Christian ideas, he endeavored To calm those around. him, ana requested that he -might be the ‘last one cxe- cuted, in order that be miuht have the time to ig a prove the correctao-s of cer ain principtes while - they were cutting off the heads of the other con- demned. Anacbarsis Clootz bas been thus spoken of for the reason that be was the only naturalized citi- zen, besides Thomas Paine, who wasa member cc 4 sae ative. This latter body, therefore, hada igniting many able and brilliant men, lange majority of sdvanced revolunonists, of the National Convention, and that the names of Clootz and Prine, described as *“ex-Deputics to the National Convention,” were included in the same wirrant of arrest. issued by the Com- tittee of Public Safety. and were sentin the company of eachother (0 the prison of the Lux- embourr. > 5 it will have been seen that the decree of tho Legislative Assembly (ur, as it came to be called, the Nutionul Assembly) conferring French eiti- zensbip upon Pine and others, was of the date of the. 20th day of ' August, 1702. That assembly came to -the end ‘of existenco on the 2ist day of the follow ing month, when the “National Convention Was constituted, While it does not appear from the “Moniteur™ that Paine was a momber of the Legislutive (or National) Assembly, yet it ap- pears, from THE FOLLOWING LETTER OF 1TS PRESIDENT, that he was elected trom the Department of the Oise. The original of tais letter, now in the hands of the writer, is believed never to haye been before published: : cca U'ranstation. Panis, September bth, 17 poses the Ist of 1, 2, the 4th Year of Equality.—To Tuosas ‘AINE: France calis you, sir, to its bosom to Bi the most useful, and, consequently, the most honorable of functions—that-of contributing, by wise legislation, to the buppiness of a ponpic whose destinies Interest and unite all who think and all who suffer in the world. “It ig meet that the nation which pro- claimed the ricbis of man sbould do- sire to have him among its — iegls- lntors who first dared to measure all their consequences, who developed their principles with that common sense which is but genius putting itseif within the reach of all men und drawing all its conceptions from nature and truth, The National Assembly bad already ac- corded to him the title of French citizen, and had seen with plensure that {ts decree had re- ceivod the only sanction that is legitimate,—that of the people, who already ciafincd you bofore it bad uumed you. Come, sir, und enjoy in France the spectacle the most interesting to nn ob- server and toa philosopher,—thut of a people, confident and gencrous, who, betrayed bascly during three yeurs and wishing, at lust. to end this struggle between slavery “und liberty, be- tween sincerity and perfidy, rises finally as one mun, puts under ‘tho sword of the law the ‘sreat offenders who have bo- trnyed it, eppowes. to the barbarians whom they have roused against it all its cltizens turned sol- diers, all its territory turned into eamp and fort- ress;'and, on the other band, calls together in a ress ‘the lights sexttered through all the verse. the men of genius most capable, by thoir wisdom and their yirtue, of giving her the form of government best fitted to secure liber ty and buppiness. “Ihe Electoral Assembly of the Department of the Oise, prompt to chose you, bas bad the good fortune to be the tirst to ‘render this jus- tice to Thomas Paine, and when a number of my fellow-citizens desired that 1 should make this intelligence known to you, I remembered with pleasure that 1 had seen you ut Mr. Jetfer- son's, and I congratulated myself upon ving the buppiness of being acquzinted with you. “ HERAULT, “President of the National Assembly,” HERAULT DE RECHELLES, the writer of the foregoing ietter, was a marked mun in the French Kevolution, muking bis en- trance into public life as a member of the Leg- islative (or National) Assembly trom the Depart- nent of the Seine et Oise, aud becomime Presi- dent of it toward its close. A friend uf Danton, he ailled himself to the purty of the Montagne, and became one of its most prominent mem- bers, though as fur separated from ft us a man well could be by birth, education, and associa- tion in lite. Kich, superb, of elegant manners and person, they called him the beau Séchelles, Intelligent, highly educated ana eloquent, he pluced bim- self at the service of the popular cause in the early days of the Revolution. In the midst of thg Jacobins he présented the type of the Grand Seigneur, and lived en gargon luxury and el- egance at No. 16 rue Basse-du-Raimpart, a well- kuown street in Paris at the present day. In him tho gentleman always uppeured under tho democrat, and 1t was Suid at the time that Hérault ‘proved that ‘ democrats" wero not strangers to personal accomplishments and captivating manners. He was Pre: dent of the Conveution during the events of tho 3ist_of Say and 2d of June, and when Henriot, at the hend of bis troops, threatened the Convention in the name of the insurgent people, and demanded the arrest of the proscribed Girondins, He presided a: the national féte of the 10th of August, 1793, and was soon ufterward made a member of the Commit- tee of Public Sufety, and bis uame is ussociuced with many of its most atrocious decrees. When absent fn mission the quarrels broke out in the Convention in the purty of the Montagne, and Herault found himself accused in that body by Bourdon de !’Oise, who, before that time, had been a party friend of Hérauit’s aud a violent révolutionuaire, Hérault, on his return, de- fended hbimseif before the Convention in a speecn which was 1 masterpiece of eloquence, but it was of no avail in the strides of revolu- tionary madness. MORE VIOTINS WERE NOW DEMANDED, and, at this time, the oldest children of the Revolution were cluimed. They were the * Dantonists, among whom was included Hérault. Ov the report of the Committee of Public Sarety, Danton, Camille Desmoulins, Philippeaux, and Lacruix were sent tothe Hev- olutionary Tribunal on the 2d of April,.1794, con: victed, and onthe dd day of April they were sent {motediately- to” the - guillouneHéradit- was unmarried, When imprisoned at the Lux- embourg awaiting his trial he appeared sad and preoccupied, aud only assuciuted with his valet, who Was permitted to accompany him. On ar riving at the guillotive, on the Place de la Revo- lution, on the day of his execution, all his looks were turned toward the hotel of the Garde~ Meuble, hoping, evidently, to exchange glances with one with whom were ull his thoughts at that supreme moment. Behind the shutters, haif-closed, could be seen a beuutiful woman Who sent to the condemned a fast adieu and waved a lust sigh of tenderaess wo the dying nun: “Je aime” (I love thee). It was a beautiful day of the spring-time, und the crowd that hud assembled to witness the execu- tion of Danton, the great apostle of the Revolu- on. and some of bis assuciutes was enormous. The splendid figure of Hérault de Séchelles seemed to take new life. and the serenity of courage replaced the inguietude and sadness which had settled upon him. The first one to mount the scaifold, he showed himself CALM, RESOLUTE, AND UNMOVED. As be was about to tay his head under the knife, be wished to present his eheek to the cheek of Danton, as a lust fare- well. The aids of Sanson, the executioner, prevented it. “Imbeciles!" indignantly ex- claiined Danton, “it will be but a moment be- fore our heads will meet in the busket, in spite of you.” ‘The Legislative Assembly, having proved it- self utterly incompetent and powerless to direct the destinies of France, then in convulsive throes of revolution, practically abdicated by ‘culling a convention. the members of which were to be immedi:tely elected by all the de- partments. ‘This was the National Convention. composed of some of the ablest, the most dis- Unguished, the most. patriotic, as well ng many of the worst men in France. "This Convention, seizing all the powers of Goverument.—exeen- Uve, legislative, and judicial—sublimo in its aspirations, it was at once terri bie and = sunguinary, heroic and _ cruel. It held its empire’ over France for: three yeurs one month and ve days by terror und force, unchafning all the worst pussions of mankind, Never was thore a legislative or con- stitueut body which displuyed such stupendous energy or performed suca immense lubor. Tt depopulated Frunce, aud left In tts pathway anarchy, misery, and social disorgunization. In the delirium of {ts passions, it stamped itself on the history of the world not only by its erimes, but by it grent acts of legislation, which will tive as long as France sball endure. Tbomns Paine was & member of this Conven- tion, His popularity in France at this time is shown by the fuct that he was CHOSEN A MEMBER OF THE CONVENTION by three. departments,--the Pas de Calais, the Oise, and the Seine et Oise. He chose to sit for ‘the Pas de Calais. He wus in England at the time of his election. Achille Audibert, of Calais, was deputed to go to England and escort him to France. It seems to huve proved a somewhat hazardous adyent- ure, for at a later period, in # letter toa mem- ber of the Cominitice of Public Safety, in rela- tion to Paine, be suys be “hardly escuped be-, coming a victim of the English Goverument, with whom Paine was openly at war.” The Moniteur of the Zid September, 1793, refers to this matter as tollew: ~The celebrated Thomas Paine, author of ‘Common Sense,’ snd of n- refutation of Mr. Burke, entitled ‘The Kights of Man,’ had be- lieved ‘it his duty to take precautions-for his personal safety. in coming into France, where he had been calied by tne Nation- al Convention. He had come by Rochester, Sandwich. and Deal; arrived at Dover, after having been put to the inconvenience of making that.circuit, he had suffered mucb from the ini- pertinence of a clerk in the Custom- House, who, not content with placing bis books and papersin disurder_ under pretext of examination, even went so far.us to tear up his letters. Some paid wretches insulted him grossly In presence of M, Audibert, of Calais, and M. Frost. Probubly M. Paine has been recompensed for afl these in- sults by the brilliantreception which he recoived upon bis arrival ou Freneb soil” Paine hud commenced bis career in Paris, in 191, by establishing the “Société Kepub- lieaine,” which bus been referred tu, one of the objects of which was “to overthrow en- urely the mouarchical system." What must have been his ‘emotions at finding himselt a Freneh citizen; apd a member of the Conven- tion. and when giving bis voice and vote w its first decree, introduced by the Abvé Gregoire, and which. according to the olficfat report, was received by “acclumations of joy, the eres of ‘Vive Ia nation,’ repented by aif the spectators, prolonging themselves for many minutes “: “La Convention Natiousie décrete que ia roy- auté est abolie en France.” : ‘As a member of the Convention, Paine VABORED UNDER THE JNMENSE DISADVANTAGE ‘ot notspeaking nor wriling the French Jan- guage, wid vere few of the members spoke En- glish, ' At the epoch of the Revolution it was as Unusual to hear English spuken in Paris ait ts now to bear Aruble, As far ag now recollected, the only members of the Convention who spoke -Englisti were Danton, Marat, Lanthenas, Garan- Goulon, and young Bungul, one of the secrota- ries, Danton aad spent much tine in Englund, iinderstoud. the Imuguage. and was ‘quite Well avguainted with the Eaxlish peupic. This was evidently to his disadvautage, for oue of the charges of the time aguinst hin was that he associated “avec les Angiais,” and dined too often with them in the Hue Grange Bate | eligre. Marat lived a long tne’: taught French in London’ and Taanueeend, Wired a youd knowledge of Engtish, and''pub- Ushed two books in that lemguage,—“Tho Chains of Slavery,"_and * A Plan -of Criminal Legislution.”* Dr. Lantheuas, .Garan-Coulon, and Bangal were good Envllsh scholars, : The Convention was not luo jn giving Paine’ a striking recognition of the consid. eration in. which “it held kim. One of its eurliost_ decrees wus to establish ‘a specint commission (committee) of mine members, on the constitution. ‘Chis commission itood 4 composed of the, most distinguished men” of | late she apne et eae ere 2 EMD, e Convention: Gensonné, Thomas Paine, Bris- it to the Convention. ‘The. first ae = fot, Pétion. Vergniaud. Burdre, Danigh, Conder- | larations of the celebrated “Turelscr cet, and the Abbé Sieyés. ‘The latter was called THE “CONSTITUTION-MAKEH," and the wits of the time said that he always car- ried a Constitution in bis pocket, ready to be drawn on the slightest provocation. twas he who exclaimed in the Nuvonal Convention, when A project was before. it which seemed te hi: De jn the mature uf a spoliation, “You be free. but know notshow to be just.” Or the nine mompers of this remarkable com- mission, which devoted itself to the preparation of what is kuuwn as the Constitution of tha year 3, four of them were guillotived, Vergniaud, Gensunné, Brissot, and Danton. Condereet committed suicide in the cell of a prison at Bourg-ln-Keine, and Pétion, escaping from. t Paris, after bolog plictd in decusation by the | speech, Gay PeTmitted fo | continue his National Convention, perished miserably white | tons. trom” the’ vonteen® interrup- hiding in the forest near St. Emilion, and where Thuriot, one of the most Tole 17 “at vio his body was afterward found half eaten up by wolves, Paine, Sieyés, and Barére were the only members of the comulssion who died a. natural death. " As Danton was the only manon the~commis- sion who spoke Enghsh, it was through him that Paine communicated bis ideas. In the’ Conven- tion he aut with the most advanced of the Ja- cobins, on tho benches of the Montagno. Though atterward becoming widely separated from Danton in the policy of the Revolution, their amicable . relations appear never to have been disturbed. 1t was a atrange scene; these two constitution-makers, Paine and Dan- ton, met for the last thue in the prison of the Luxembourg, BOTA EQUALLY DESTINED FOR THE SCAFFOLD. Conversing one day on tho mutations of the Revolution, forgetful of the terrible role he had played, und of the * Mussaere of September,” in Rocents of the most: profound uiscourngeinent, Danton suid to Paine: * What you have done for the happiness und liberty of tho people in your own country [have vuinly endeavored to do in mine. 1 bave been less fortunate than you. {- They are going to send me to the scaffold; very well, { will go guyly. In 1876, the Minister of the United States to France, while examining the papers of Danton, preserved in tho National’ Ar in Paris, found an extrnordinary letter written: in English by Puine to Danton. It had never deen inade public, but_ tt was afterwards made part of an_ official dispatch, and ublished by the State Deprrtment at: Wash- tneton in 187i, in its volume of * Foreign Rela- tions.” ‘Tne ‘letter was dated," Paris, “May 6 (second ayear of the Republic)” that isto s: 1793, Itistoo long for this article. but its full text will ever be read with interest by the student of history. The date of the letter is but little more thau three weeks prior to the events of the dist of May (1793), one of the most dumn- ing epochs of the Revolution, when the Conven- tion, under the guns of Henrolt, and surrounded by the mob of Paris, mutilated {ts representa- ton, decreed the arrest, the forerunner of | the guiliotine, of tue “Twenty-two Deputies” of the Gironde. e When Paine wrote his letter, with prophetic vision he beheld before bim the yuwning chasm which was soon to engulf France, Oppressed by that revolutionary madnessand fury of the hour which wns sweeping away the lopes-of all patriotic men, IN AN ACCESS OF DESPAIR, he pours out his thoughts to Danton: “Tam exceedingly distressdd.” he says,“ at the distractions, Jenluusies, discontent, and’ un- eusiness that reigu nmong uS,Jand which, if they continue, will bring ruin and disgrace on the Republic. . . . . I uow despair of seeing the grext object of European liberty uccomplished, und my despair arises not frpin the combine foreign powers, not from the intrigues of aris- tocricy and priesteraft. but from the tunuitous misconduct with which the injernutional atfaira of the present revolution iscondusted, . . . While these internal contentions continue, while | the hope remains to the-enemy of seeing the Republic fall to pieces, while not only the repre= sentatives of tha Departments, but representu- tion itself is publi insulted as it hus fitely been, and now is, by the peuple of Puris, or ut least by the Tribunes, 2hu edemy will be en- couruged to hang nbautthe frontiers and wait the event of circumstances... 2. ‘Tho dunger every day increnses of arupture between Paris and the Departments. The Departments did not send their deputies t0;Paris to be in- sulted, and every insult shown to them is an in- sult to the Departments that elected and sent them." Paine then ys that the remedy for sucha state of tbings is to ix the location of the Con- vention at x distance from Paris. and cites tho example of the United States; which formed tha project of building a town und having its seat of government not within the limi:s of any munici+ pul jurisdiction. He expressgs the most friend- y fecling toward the *:Tweuts-two. Deputies (the Girondins) who, were thet “uleeudy on the Hsts of proscriptian, and sayp that “most of the aoqduintanco-tiat Agr among those who are in that list, aud I-know there are not better men nor. better patriots than they are.” ~ THE TRIAL OF LOUIS XVI. commenced before the National Convention on the 2th day of December. 1. Itis iu the progress of this trial that the name of Tbomas wine first appears. On the motion of Conthon it was decreed that the discussion upon the trial be continued. to the exclusion of all other busi- ness, until judgment should be pronounged. It was not until the 18th of the following month, Janunry, 1793, that Paine was able to obtain at- Yention, and then on: ling an opinion, * sur ‘yin ithe..Conventinn sro{ Bi Belgian Baron, AnacharsisClootz. Th 3 , An e tribt were reserved for the Indies, “a rubane ts colors,” and-the huissiers weuld go and come to fake way for the beautiful visitors. The private xes Were tilied with Indies of fashion, who sipped lees and ate oranges while the members of their acqunintunce came to salute them... In the higher gulleries they drank eau-de-vie and pe as in a tap-room. ie appearince of ‘Thomas Pafae at the tri une. with a rol! of manuscript m his hand, gle fied quite a sensation in the Convention. By produced a comaiotion on the benches of th Montagne. Coming from a democrat like ‘Thomas Paine, a man so intimately allied with the Americans, a grent thinker and writer, thers,-was fear of their intluence on the Convention. Marat, Indignuut and furious, raised the point of order that Paine SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO VorE that, being a Qunker. hig religious principles miude hin opposed to the death penalty. — It must be said to the credit of the Montagnards that Marat’s question of order wag not received. with favor. Liberty of opinion was invoked frow all parts of the hall, and demands made that Marat’ should be ealied vw order. Paine thirsty of the revolutionists, declared that the Janguage of the trausiatorawas not the language of Thomas Paine. At this moment Marat rushed to the tribune and viotently interrupted Paine in Engtish.. Obliged w ‘descend from the trib- une, he addressed the Conveation: “denounce the interpretor. I contend that it ig nov the opinion of ‘Thomas Paino. ft isa wicked and unfuitbfut transiation.” The most“ vivlent exclumations broke out, drowning the voice of Bangal, the unfortunate interpreter, ‘and creating an Indescribable tumutt. Never was A man in a more embarrass- ing condition than Puine was at this time. ‘Though not understanding tho language, he yet REALIZED THE FURY OF THE STORM which ragéd around him. Standing at the trib- une in his bulf-Quaker cout “and gen- teelly nttired. be remained" undaunted and self-possessed during the tempest. Tho question as to the correctness of the translation of the speech was then left to Garun-Coulon, t distinguished member of the Montagne. anda. good English scholar, who declared that he hnd ‘seen the speech in the hands of Paine, and that the translation was correct. Buncul’ was thon Permitted: to translate the remainder of the speech. ‘This spegch of Patne breathed greatness of soul and.géuerosity of spirit, and will forever honor his-inemory. -* My hinguage,” he says, “hus always been the language of liberty and huunuity. and I know by experience that noth- ing So extilts u nation as the union of these two principles under all circumstances.” Ho warned the Convention aguinst doing that which at the moment migbt be deemed an uct of justice, but which would Appear in the future oniy as an uct of vengeance. Prophetic words, tndeed. He pleads for the life of the King: Fi “Tecan assure rou that his execution would luce a universal uffliction in America, und It §s in your power to spare that attliction to your best friends. If T could speak the French lun- guage I would descend to your bie, and-in tha name-of all my brothers in America, 1’ would present to you 2 petition to suspend the execu- ton of Louis.” ‘There is no doubt that this speech utterly de- stroyed Paine in the estimution of the Montagne, and froin that tine comarnced his relations with the Girondins, which added _to bis unpopu- Jarity with the Jacubins, ‘Yhat Robespierre HAD DOOMED HIM TO THE GUILLOTINE there fs no question, and his life was ouly saved by the full of that merciless tyrant on the $ih Thermidor (July, 1794), In the exhaustive report subsequently made by Cour- tois,in the name of the commission charged with-an examinntion of the papers found at the house ef Rovespierre after hig death.” the fact is disclosed thnt a note-buok was tound, all in his own handwriting, in which was the follow- ing entry: “Demand that Thomas Patne be decreed in ac- cusution for the interests of America as well ag those of France,” After quoting this entty in his report, the author of tho report says: “Why Thomas ine rather than orhers? Ist because he bas labored to found Iberty iu two worlds?” Though Marat spoke English, and he and Paine wero colleagues in the ‘National Con- yention, there wus evidently no sympathy between them. Marat was as iusincere in bis fepublicanism us in bis patriotism; he was us hypocritical as he was cruel. At a time when he was bawling in, public must lustily for” lb- erty,” “equnlity,” und a “republic,” he accosted Paine one day in’ the lobby uf the Convention, and said to bim snceringly, in English: “And ft is you who believe ina republic; you have too much sense to believe in such a dream.” ‘The hostile feeling of Marat toward Paine was shown by his violent und indecent interruptions of the latter at tho tribune during the trial of Louis XVI. before the National Convention, In Juguaty, 1793. The hatred which there cropped out SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME INTENSIFIED at a later. period (the. following April), -dnshis.,.Journal, Pi Amt._dy .-Peuple,, had “preachod’~ murder” “and ““pilliige ~ ‘to such itn extent that the Convention, a majority of whose membera were openly in sympathy with him, was obliged to place bim in accusation and send hit for trial before the “Tribunal. Criminal Extraordinaire.” This trial, as reported in the Mantteur of May 3, 1743, ig one of the curiosities of revolutionary jurts- prudence. Marat was completely taster of the situation, violent, aggressive, and impudent; instead of being tried himself, he made the ‘Tri- bunal an iastrument of attuck upon bis ene- mies. and particularly Brissot, Girey-Dupré, and Puine. The two former were editurs of the Patriot Francais, the organ of the Girondins, Yaffaire de Louls Capet,” with the President of ad Murat took — advantage of | the the Convention. Puine says he could not getthe | Sconsion “to. revenge hitnself on. thea, floor, as so soany_ were inscribed for speeches | pg well as on Piine, for the publica” that tho debate was closed before his turn came, The first sentences of ‘this “opinion” of Thomas Paine illustrate its character: “My contempt and hatred for monarcbical government are sulliciently known. My com- passion for the unfortunate, friends or evemics, is equully profound.” He alludes to the position he had taken in the address of the “Société Républic- aine,” heretofore alluded to, that Louis XVI., by his tight from Parts, bad abdicated the throne, and censures the Government for re- establishing bim in the power which his evasion bad suspended. He comes, be suys, ‘to recall tothe nation the error of that unfortunate day, of that futal error of not having ‘rejected Louis XVI. from its bosom, and to plead in favor of his bauishment IN PREFERENCE TO THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.” He continues: “ Ag to myself, I avow it frankly, when I think of tho strange folly of replacing him at the head of the nation. all covered a3 be was with per- juries, Luin embarrassed to know which I ought to despise the must, the Constituent Assembly, or the individusl, Louis Cupet. But, all other considerations apart, there is in bis life onecir- cuipstance which should cover up or. lessen a” great number of crimes; and that samu circumstance should — furn the ¥rench natiun the oceasion of purging its terri- tory of Kings without soiling it with impure plood. It is to France entire, ] know it, chat the United States of America owes the help by the means of which they have shaken off. by force of arma, the unjust and tyrannical dominatfon of George the 'hird. The enerzy and zea} with which it furnished men and money wasa natu- ral consequence of its thirst tor liberty, .". . ‘The United States should, thon, be the sufeguard and asylum of Louis Cupet. There, henceforth, tinding shelter from the miseries and the crimes of Royal lite, he will learn by tbe continual as- uon of an article in<relation toa young En- glshman named Jobnsun, who bad attempted suicide. It was alleged that having abjured his country, because he detested Kings, be came to France, hoping to find Uberty, but be only saw, undor its musk, the hideons ‘visage of anarchy. Revolted by such a spectacle, be undertook to kill hinself. ‘The article concluded with a note “written ina trembling hand, and which is in the hands of a celebrated foreigner "meaning Paine. It ts as follo’ “Teame Into France to enjoy liberty, but Ma- rathas assasinated it. Anarchy is yet more eruel than despotism. I cannot resist, the grievous spectacle of seéing the triumph of im- becility over talent and virtue.” THIS INFURLATED MARAT, and one of his objects was to conncet Paine with thig article in the Patriot Francais, AU this had [ nothing whatever to do, as Puine well said in hfs testimony, with the accusation prererred against Marat. Nevertheless. ull the evidence given on the trial, as reported in the Moniteur, is in relation so the matter of this article In the Patriot Francais. One Samson Pégaet is called. ‘a3 a witness, who testified that the man Johnson lived in the house occupied by Thomas Paine, deputy to the National Convention, rue Fau- bourg Saint Denis, No, 63: tnat from’ the read- ing of different articles anaouncing that those deputies that voted (on the trial of Louis) for an appeu! to the peoplé would be massacred, his friendship for Thomas Paine, who was of that number, bad induced him to attempt to destroy himself for fear of being a witness to the exo- cution of his friend. ‘The President of the Tribunal—'ts it to your knowledge that they held conversations ai the house of Thomas Paine tending to the belief that he would be massacred?” ‘Samson Pégnet--" Yes; it was stated that ‘Marat had suid it was necessary to massucre all relgners, particularly the English.” fore What answer have spect of the public prosperity that the veritable 3 to Sarat—" aystom of govornmont is tot of Kings, but of yor tohinane to thie lust fet?” ness representation. . “observe. to the Tribunal that tt ts tine closes his “ opinion” ns follows anv airecious calumny, a wickedness of the In the particular cage submitted in this mo- ment to our consideration, { submit to the Con- vention the following propositions: * First—That the National Convention pro- nounces the banishment of Louis Cupet and his Second—That Louts Capet shall 5e impris- oned until the end of the war, wher the set- tence of banishment shall be carried ‘into exe- cution. ‘This “opinion” of Thomas Paine,thus pare tially set out, not being in the nature ofa speech, but. simply read to the Convention, SEEMS TO BAVE BEEN QUITE WELL RECEIVED, on necount of bis savage denunciation of mon- rebical governments, “The question submitted by the Convention, “What shall he the punishment of Louis, for- merly King of the French?" was decided by *appel fominal.” . By this method the members of cach d a n each one expressos his opinion only, giving reasons. if-be desire to do 0, or deposes bis ¥ jy an“ urn de serutin.” Paine voied for “ imprisoument of ras a he end of the war, and banishment afrerward. ‘The Convention having decreed'that the pun- ishment of death should be inflicted on Louis, xt question which arose was, should there bea suspension of the execution’ of the gen- tence? it was on the 19th day of January, 1793, that Paine mounted the tribune to speak to this question. This trial of Lovis XVL by the Na tonsil Convention ig one of the most remarkable on record. ‘The session was made pernancnt, and the trial went on day, and nicht, After a inpse of nearly Xl years, the painful and: dra- qutie scenes stand out with still greater prom- inetice. The Salle des Machines, in the Pavillon de Flores at the Tuileries, bud been convert: into a yrand hall for.the sittings of the Conve n. “ithe gultertes were fmmense, and could seat 1,400 spectators. Jn an immense city like Paris, convulsed with a political excitement never equaled, the trial of a King for his life PRODUCED THE MOST PROFOUND EMOTIONS that ever agitated any community. All classes and conditions in life were carried away by the Prevailing excitement, and the pressure for placed excerded anything ever kouwa. The scenes, ag painted by une of the most gifted his- Torians of the French Revolution :Louis Blanc), will never cease to awaken the most tbrilling Interest. The first row of seats was Niled by ladies en ntglizé charmant.” In tbe upper tribunes. men of all conditions in life;_an enor- mous number of foreigners who had heen altraeted to Paris by the events of the duy- On the sidu of the Montagne there sat great ersonages, trom the Duke of Orleans to the Marquis de Chateguneuf;} irom Lepelletier, St Fargeau. end Hérault deiSéchellea to the rich i wirtinent appear at the: tribune and i * statesmen’ to render me odious. ‘The President, to Sumson Pégnet—" Are you often at the house of Thomas Paine, and aro there many people there?” \ Samson Pégnet—" 1 huve never seen more f than five or six English there, and oue French- mui ‘Thomas Paine is then INTRODUCED AS A WITNESS. He testifies, through an interpreter, that he had onty known Marat since the meeting of the Con- yentiun, The note inserted in the Patrint Frin- cais wasthen read to bim, and be answered that he did not conceive that {thad anything to do with the chfvge preferred against Marat. He further said Yin “Johnson had stabhed himself twive because hesad heard that dlarat was go- ing to denounce bir, : Marat—"Itis not ‘ocause that { denounced this young man who has stabbed himselt, but because 1 wished to denounce Thomas Paine.” ‘Thomas Paine—* Johnson bad for 2 long time been very inquiet in bls mind. As to Murat, I hbaye only spoken to bim once in the passage- way uf the Convention. He suld to me that tho English people were free and happy, and I an- awvered-him that they groaned under & double espotism.”” . desPore probably in thts interview that Marat sneered at Paine for being a Repubticun, ‘and told him that be bad tosmuch sense to be- ileve in the dream of a repu Other witnesses were int d, and alt for the purpose of connecting Painéywith the article in the Patriot Francats. = Murat was on trial for inciting to murder and pillage in bis newspapor, and théchargo was fous proved by the articles be bad puvtished. Marat proved at the trial that Paine wascon- heeted with the publication of an urtice in the Patriot Francais prejudicial to bin, sfarat. Hence: . “Marat {s acquitted and leaves the Tribute jn the midst of the applause of the spectators, Wyo, ving crowned bim with the leaves 0% omc, pie ie Sn triumph to the Convenfon.’ lings of the trialin the Monitew of See eee ay as 2 ‘April, 1783, that luis Ji was on the Sith of April, 17 h: Serial” lace, and Puine's naye eee ee are fn tho Moniteur. does pot appear al i at acquittal of Marat, which was a sav.- ichinpec eae te ae a te erate element of the time, Bee ena ae RESH IMPULSE s 4 SANE a MADNESS. i 2 June_the Convention decree 18 On she 24 of Jane, he, Geuwe, Depuics™ (the Girondins). tigation of Robesplerre a decree was At the iboeame month excluding forelgucrs from the Convention. ‘This was for the aule pur- -|-taken-to.he.Commities.of pose of getting rid of Paine and Clootz, who are afterward described ns * ex-Deputies.” On the 1ith of the following month (July) the career of the wretched Marat was enjed by the poignard of Charlotte Corday, followed by a delirium of mge and fury on the Part of the Montagnirds which was’ alike Without limit and without example. This event was the death-knell of the Girondins, and thoy 8d understood it." Vergniaud said “to ‘one of his colleagues that the act of Charlotte Corday had prepared their way for the scaffold; “but,” be added, “she has shown us how to die.” in the following September the Convention Passed that terrible enactment known as-the “law of the suspect,” which was one of the most terrible engines of oppression ever known in legislative annals. Tn virtue of its inzenious and elaborated provisions, one-half of the peo- of America in, the year 1%, I promised to all. my friends t I would return to them the next year; but the hope of seeing a republic happily established in France that might serve a3 a model to the rest of Europe, and the earnest and disinterested desire of rendering every service In my power to promote it, induced me to defer my return to that country and to the society of my friends for more than seven years. “This long sacrifice of private tranquillity, especially after haying: gone through tho fatigues and dangers of the American Revolution, which cuntinued almost eight years, deserved 2 better fnte than the long imprisonment [ have silently enffered. 4 “But it is not the nation, *. - BOT A FACTION, that has done me this injustice, and it 1s to the ple of France could send'the other baif tothe | national representation that I appeal against prison and the senffold. This aw. was { that injustice. drawn up by Merlin (de Douai), an ad- » Partics nnd factions, various and numerous yanced revulutionist, one of tho most | as they buve been, | bare always avoided. My distinguished. Inwyers of his “time, and {| beart was devoted to all France, andthe object ta who was called ‘the “Legist of Terror.” | which I applied myself was the Constitution, “Itwas under this law that ‘Thomas Paine and | The pinu that I proposed to the Committee of Anacharsis Clootz were arrested: in. the follow- | which Iwas a member is now in the bands of ing December (ith Nivose) and sent to the prisog of the Luxumbourg. From that tine Paine was excluded from the Convention untit his arrest, ho had witnessed with indignation‘and shume the accumulating horrors of the revolution, and he had the cour- age to : OPENLY DENOUNCE ROBESPIERRE. From that moment he was undoubtedly doomed to the scaffold. Clootz, who was sent to prison with him in December.1793,was guiltotined, on the 24th of March, 1794. But thore was 2 dis- tiact charge against Clootz of having been con- neoted with the Hébertistes. There could be no accusation sustained against Thomus Paine. His being an American, the ‘author of the “ Rights of Man." and the high consideration in which he was held in France, may bave caused Robespicrre to hesitate until he. was himself overtakeu by the Uch Thermidor. Paine was sent to the prison of the Luxem- bourg, that great palace bullt by Marie de Medi- cls in 1615. At the titne of the Revolution it was vonverted into a prison of state. Here were in- carceratad a thousand people of all classes and conditions of life, accused of polftical olfenses. It seems to have been the prison where Robes- plerre sent his most illustrious victims. It was this prison from which Danton, Lacroix, Camille Desmoulins, Fabre d’Eglantine, Gen. Wester- man, Chabot, Bazire, Delauny (d'Angers), and Herault de Séchelles were taken to be conducted tu theguillotine. The condition of the prison- era was to the last degree deplorable, and when guarded au séeret was absolutely hor- rible. “A Prigoner at the Luxembourg” | hus given to the world wn account of the gtute of things-that existed in that prison Just previous tothe fall of Robespierre. ‘The unfortunate prisoners were considered by the agents and subalterns of the revolutionary au- thorities as ; MISERABLE ANTMATS, which were to be killed indifferently without ex- ception of individuals. All were to die, and no~ Mutter who was the victim. All were in a state of thé most cruel stispense and torment, in- by the permission given to newsvenders to cry the contents of their journuls under the windows of the prison, but without permission to sell them. These boys would vociferate in loud tones: * Here is the list of those who have drawn tickets in the lottery of the: holy gullo- tine!’ Who wishes to see the list? There are today sixty. more or less"; and like cries, Varied fromday today. Noone knew when he would be called upon to take up bis march to the remorseless revolutignary tribunal. Some Limes a squadron of gendarmerie would enterthe prison at 2 o'clock fu the morning, generally ar- resting 10) persans; divided into three squtds, they were to be taken for trial. one-third at each session of the tribunal. Their nurture was detestable; « thousand prisoners were to be fed. Tubles and benches were set out in one of the grand halls of the palace at which could be seated more than 30 people. They served them avile soup in vases or tin basins, a haif bottle of wine, which was worse than the soup; two dishes, one of vegetables swimming in water, the other always pork boiled with. cabbuge. ‘They hid each day 2 ration of a pound and a half of bread. This was tho only meal in twenty-four hours, As there were about a thousund persons, they had to have three separ- ate dinnera, one at-11 o'clock, one at noon, und one at lo‘ciéek. There were in the prison MANY SPIES AND PIMPS OF THE GOVERNMENT, with instructions to mingle among the prisoners {n order to observe all their actions, take down all their words, and find out or invent plans of conspiracy. Betrayed by these wretches, who would worm themselves into the contidence of the prisoners, euch one began to fear that he bad one of these munsters at bis side, and at last would speak only in monosyllables, trembling that even these might be metamorphosed into a conspiracy. ‘The following is tho warrant issued for the arrest of Puine and Clootz:* “NATIONAL CONVENTION. “Committee of Sureté Générale et de Sur veillunce of the National Convention. “ Nivose 7, in the second yeur of the French Republic, one and indivisible. “The Committee orders that Thomas Paine and Anacharsis Clootz, formerly Deputies to the National Convention, be upprebénded, and, as a mensure of general safety, committed to prison: that their pxpers be examined, and that such as muy be suspicious pur under seal and eneral Sufety.. arére, and it will speak for itself. “It fg perhaps proper that [ inform you of the canse assigned in the order for my ‘imprison= ment, [tis that [ama foreigner, whereas tno foreigner thus imprisoned was ‘invited into France by a decree of tne Inte National Assom- bly, and that in the hour of her greatest danger, when invaded vy Austrians und Prussizns. He was, moreover, a citizen of the United States of America, an ally ef France, and not 1 subject of Any country ir Europe. and consequontiy nok within the intention of any of the decrees cun- cerning’ foreigners. But any excuse can be made tu serve the purpose of malignity when it ig in power. “Twill not intrude on your time by offering any apotogy for the broken and imnerfect nan ner in which [have expressed myself. I request you to accept it with the sincerity with which it comes from: my heart; and I conclude with wish- ing fraternity and prosperity to France, an union and buppiness to her representatives. / “Citizens, [have now stated to you my situae ton. and I can have no doubt but that your jus- lice will restore me to the liberty of which I have been deprived. ‘THOMAS PAINE. * Luxestuoura, Thermidor 19, 2d year of the french Itepublic, one and indivisible.” On tho 18th Therinidor, the day previous to the date of Paine's letter, as above, Dr. Lanthenas had already INTERCEDED IN RENATE OF PAINE, by addressing the following Jotter. to Merlin (de Thionville), x member ot the Committce of General Safety.” Lanthenas wasn great ad- mirer of Paine, and allied to him pg the tles of & sincere friendship. The fact thit he “spoke English a litle” seems to have brought bim into close relations with Paine. ~Ideliver to Merlin de Thionville a copy of the last work of T. Paine, formerly ourcolleague, and in custody since the deerce excluding for- elgners from the national representation. “Pais book was written by the author in the beginning of the yeur "03 (old style). Tunder- took its translation before the revolution against the priests, and it was published in French about: the same time. * Couthon, to whom I sent It, seemed offended with me for.baving translated this work; still its nature and trunsintor were altogether free from any reproach that might be directed to the author in bis private or politica! life. “IL think it would be in the well-understood interest of the Republic, since the downfalt of the tyrants we have overthrown, to reéxainine the motives of the imprisunment of T. Paine. That retxamination is suggested by too'multi- lied und sensible grounds to need to be related udetail, Every friend of liberty, who is somc- what funitiar witb the history of our revolution: and deems it necessary tu repet the slandrs with which the despots toad it in the gyes of the nations, and who mislead them against us, will, bowever, understand such rounds. “Should the Committee of General Safe- ty, entertaining no founded charge or suspicion acainst T. Puine, bave any scruples and believe that, from my having occasionally conversed with that foreign- er, whom the people's suffrage bad called to the nationui representation, and because I spoke hfs lanwunge a little. f would perbaps throw lizht upon their doubt, then I would readily come and communicate to them all that I know about that individual, “1 ruquest Merlin de Thionville to submit these considerations tu the Committee. * F. Lanragyas. “ Thermidor 18th, in the 2d year of the French Republic.” FRANCOIS LANTHENAS, the writerof thisletter, was a doctor at the epoch of tho Revolution, and was elected a member of the National Convention. He voted Jor the death of the King, but tixed a delay for his punishment, On the return of the Bourbons he wus expelled from France as a regicide. He was attached to the party of the Girondins, and his name was on that fatal list which proscribed, and subsequendy sent to the scaffold, the “Twenty-two Deputies ” of that-purty. Strange as it may seem, his name was stricken from the liston the motion of the blgidthirsty Marat. His rexsons for his motion were uot very complimentary to Lanthenas, but fortunately they saved his life.’ He sald: “ Lanthenas is a poor devil, who Is not worth thinking of” He lived to write the ‘letter alike creditavle to his head and heart in behalf of Thomas Paine, and was afterward, in the time of the Directory, a member of the Council of Five Hundred. - Dr. Luthenas, whose Jetter of the 18th Ther-_ “The Committee commission citizens Jeaa | ‘midur has beca quoted above. was not’ the Baptiste “Martin and Lamy, benrer of | Onis Frenchman who intervened in Wohalt these | presenisy - to carry | tho same | of Paine. In the succeeding month (Au- into” execution,! for which purpose they | ust), Achille Audibert, of Calais. one shall summon the civil authorities, and, {a caso of need, the armed force. “The representatives of the people, members of the Committee of General Sufety: M. Bayle, Voullund, Jagot, Amar, Vadier. Elie Lacoste, Gutroy, Louis du Bus-Rhiu, La Vicomteri This is folluwod by the reccipt of the Concierge of the prison of the Luxembourg: “I have received from Citizens Martin and Lamy, secretries, clerks of the Committee un General Safety of the National Convention, Citi- zens Thomas Paine and Anacbursis Clootz, for- merly Deputies, by command of the Committee. * LoxewuounG, Nivose sth, in the 2d year of the French Republic one and indivisible. “Benorr, Concierge.” As it will have been seen. Paine was incurcer- ated in December (ith Nivose), 1794, and re- mained ENDURING ALL THE HORRORS OF THAT FRIGHT FUL PRISON, and at the Luxembourg, making no sign, until July (19th Thermidor), 1734, Declared an outlaw by the same Convention which be bnd so long used as xn instrument of his private vengeance, Robespierre was killed like a dog ten davs pre- vious July 28, 1798), ‘The full Of tho tyrant filled with hope the hearts of so many of his victims. still Iugering in prison, and produced a ray of light in the gloom of despnir. For eight months Paine had suffered and endured in silence. Prostrated by disease and tortured by anxiety, bis condition was most deplorable. He was liable at any mo- ment, day or night, to be dragged betore the Revolutionary Tribunal, and that meant the guillotine. Clootz mounted the scatfold March 24, 171, and on the Sth-of the following month Paine bid a final adieu to his associntes in prison, Danton, Buzire, Lacroix, Camille Desmoulins, Hérault de Séchelles, Delaunay (d’Angers) and others of the carly apostics of the Revolution, and they were, on the sime day, burried to the senifold. At this time Paine could not doubr that bts own hour would soon come to strike, but the death of his mortal enemy, Robespierre, SAVED BIS LIFE. Ten days after this event, and on the 19th Thermidor, Paine addressed the following letter to tho National Convention. It is A TOUCHING AND DIGNIFIED ATPEAL of the victim of a cruel! persecution, and one which, now brought to light after a lapse of nearly a century, will be read with feelings of the liveliest emotion. 1t wus sent to the Com- mittee on Public Safety, and inclosed with the following note: “ Citizens, Representatives, and Members of the Commnitire of Public Sufely—i foward you a copy of aletter which Thuve written to-day to the of bis “constituents, uddressed the follow- ing letter to Citizen Theuriot, a member of the Committee at Public Sufety, appealing for the release of Puine. As Robesplerre was then dead, he was safe in denouncing him, particularly to Theuriot. From having been the associate of Hobesplerre in all his ectmes, Theuriot HAD BECOME HIS VIOLENT ENEMY. He was the President of the National vention on the 9th Thermidor, and ry time that Robesplerre attempted to speak he would ring bis bell furiously and ory z Tu n'as pus la parvie! ‘Tu n’as pas la pa- (You huive not the Hoor. “Pants, Fructidor 2d, in the 2d year of the - Republic.—T» Citizen Theurtot, a member of the Committee of Public Sufety—Repnesestattve: A friend of mankind {fs groaning in chaius— Thomas Puine, who wus not so politic us to remain silent ia regard toa man who was not like himself, but who dared to’ say that Robes- pierre wns 2 monster to be struck off the lst of men. From that moment he becume a criminal; the despot marked bie us bis vietlra, put bie into prison, and doubtless prepared for him the was tu the seaifold, 23 well as for those wuo knew him and were courageous enough to speak out “Thomas Paine is an acknowledged citizen of , America. He was the Secretary of the Congres3 of the Department of Foreign Affairs durtug the Revolution, He has made bitoself kaown in Europe by his writings, and especially by his * Kights of: Man.” The Electoral Assembly of the Depart:nent of Pus-de-Calais clected bim one of its representatives to the Convention, and commissioned me to go to London and In- form him of bis election, and to bring oi to France. Ubardly escaped being a victim of the English Government, with which be was at open war; [ performed my mission; and ever since friendship bas ditached me to Paine. This is my apology for soliciting you for his liberation. “1 can assure you, Nepresentatives, that America was by no means ‘satisfied with the imprisonment of a strong colusmn of its Hevolu- tion. Please to take my prayer into consideration. But for Robespicrre’s villainy the friend of mun, would now be free. Do not perinit liberty longer to gce in prison n victim of a wretch who lives no more but by his crimes; and you will add to the esteem and veneration I feel for a man who dil_so much to save the country amidst the most tremendous crisis of our Revolution. “Greeting, respect and brotherhood. “acninte AupiuEnt, of Calais, “No, 216 Rue de Bellechasse, Faubourg St. Gere main.” ‘THE FOLLOWING APPEAL BY AMERICAN CITIZENS, then in Paris, in bebalf of Paine—whicn is in the shape of a netition for his relense Convention. The singulir predicament I find ic b myzelt in induges me to apply to the whole Con- | {0m prisun—to the National | Convention, vention, of which you area PB trea, ne Pyat Breathing ie prises [HOMAS PAINE. “Loxempoura Prrsox, on the lWth day of ‘Thermidor, in the second ‘year of tho Kepublic, one and indivisible. “ Citizen Representatives: Tf I should not ex- press myself with the energy I used formerly to. do, you will attribute’ it to the very dangerous illness I have suffered in the prison of the Luxemboure. For several days [ was insensible of my own existence; und, though 1 am much recovered, it is exceedingly with great“ difficulty that I tind power to write you this Teter. 4 “But before I proceed further. Trequest the Convention to observe that this is the tirst line that hus come from me, either to the Conven- tion or to any of the Committees, sinee iny iin- prisonment, which {3 appronehing eight months. Ab! my friends, eight months’ loss of liberty secins ximost a lifetime toa man who has been, as I huve been, the unceasing defender of liber- ty for twenty years. 4 have now to iaform the Convention of the reason of-my not having written before. “Itisa yenrage that I had stroug reason to believe that obespierre was my inveterate en- emy, ashe was THE BNEMY OF ZVERY MAN OF VIRTOE AND HU- MANITY. 5 3 “The address that was sent to the Convention some time about last August, frou) Arra, the nutive town of Robespierre, Ihave always been informed was the work of that hypocrit und the partisans he bad inthe place. The intention Of thut address was to prepure the way for de- stroying me, by making the people deciure (though without assigning any rexsou) that bad lost thelr contidence. ‘The address, however, failed of success, as it was immediately oppozcd by 8 counter-address from Saint Omer, which eelared directly the contrary. “But the strange power that Robespierre. by the mos. consummate hypocrisy ead the most hardened cruetties, had obtained, rendered any. attempt on my part to obtain justice uot on! useless. but eveu dangerous: for it is the nature of tyranny always to strike a deeper blow when Any attempt has been made to repel a former one. This being my situntion, I suburitted with ‘patience to the bDardness of my fate, and Awaited the event of brighter days. I hopq_ ‘sey are now arrived to the nation and to me. ‘Citizens, when I left the United States thie docaments which follow are copies taken from so ne0cuat urcbiees in Paris, Ir7.and It 13 be Neved'az none of them have ever before been made pai humanity and friendship. it is deemed worthy of insertion in this pape: * Citizens Legislators: The French nation, by a unanimous decree, bave Invited one of the most eatiniable of our countrymen to cume to France; itis Thomas Paine, one of the political founders of the independence and Republic of Americx. A twenty years’ experience has taught America, to kuow and respect his public virtues and the inappreciable services be has rendered his country. 3 “Convinced that his quality of a forelgner and ex-Deputy is the only casise of bis pravis~ ional appreension, in the name of our country {and we trust It will be appreciated) we apply to you to claim our friend and countryman, sv that he may be able to leave with us for America, where he will be received with open arms. “If it should be necessary to suy more to backe the petition which, as friends und willes of the French Republic, we submit to their representa- tives in order to obtain the release uf vue of tha most zenlous and faithful apostles of lib erty, we would céujure “the National Convention, by all that is dear to the zlory and bearts of Creemen, uot to afford a cute of exultation and triumph to the coalitivn of the tyrants of Europe, und, above all, to the despot~ ism of Great Britain, which did not blush to outlaw 2 THAT BOLD AND VIRTUOUS DEFENDER OF LIB- ENTY. “But their ingolent enjoyment should be of short duration; for we Teel entirety contident that yuu will detain no longer in the bonds of 4 painful captivity mao whose energetic and manly pen hus 8 much contributed to freo the Americuns, and whose designs. we do not doubt at all, tended to render like services to the Frenck Hepublic. We are convinced, indeed, that bis principles and views were pure, and in this respect he [3 entitled to the indulgence due to human fuailibility and to such regurd us true-heartedness ‘deserves; and we buld to the opinion we have of his in- nocence 30 | much the more, as we are Informed thut after w rigorous exam- ination of bis pupers by ordér of the Commit- tee of General Safety. far from anything being found neainst him, they have, on the contrary, found out much to corroborate the purity of his political and moral principles. “As Our countryinan, and especially as a man so deur.tothe Americans a3 well as to you, ar- lent friends of liberty, wo do, in the name of that goddess dear to the only two Hepublics in the worid. entreat you to render Thomas Paine