,IWl?'7t,J" '"- '-" "- . -' " ' ' ' ' """iiywiwiiin t 4
'l havo sworn upon tlio Altar of God, eternal hostility to every form of Tyranny over the Blind of Man." Thomas Jefferson.
MINTED AND PUBLISHED BV II. WEBB.
Volume III.
COLUMBIA
COUNTY, PA. SATUISX&AY, SEPTEMBER. 211, 1839a rtmnliter 21.
OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRAT,
OrrosiTE St. Paul's Church, Main-st.
rn-ni'p Trei
The COLUMBIA DEMOCRAT 'will be
.published even Saturday morning, at
TWO DOLLARS per annum, payable
Itulf yearly in advance, or Two Dollars
Fifty Cents, if not paid luithin the year.
No subscription will betaken for a shorter
period than six months; nor any discon
tinuance permitted, until all arrearages
are discharged.
-ADVERTISEMENTS not exceeding a
square will be conspicuously inserted at
One Dollar for the first three insertions,
and Twenty-five cents for every subse
quent nscrlion, C7 'A liberal discount
made to those, who advertise by the year.
LETTERS addressed on business, must
be post paid.
AW EXECUTION
BY THE INQUISITION.
The following affecting sketch is from
Marryatt's "Phanton Ship, just republish
ed here by Coylcs, 104, Beekman street.
The heroine of the story, Amine Vander
decken, is condemned to the stake by the
Inquisition, in consequence of her attempt
ing some childish plantasmagoric experi
ments, which are construed into sorcery by
father Mathias, to whose care she has been
committed by her loving and believing hus
band, then absent on a long sea voyage. It
pictures the horrors of the Inquisition of a
more vivid light than we remember to have
seen before.
A few hours after Amine had been in
her condemned dungeon, the jailors entered
without speaking to herj they took down
her softy silk hair and cut it off. Amine,
wii the lip 'currc'cTi'n coiflcnfpt and without
resistance or expostulation, allowed thejn
to de their work. Thev then ordered her
to bare her feet, when for the first time she
looked into their faces. "If you do not wc
must, ouservcu one ol them who was
moved by her youth and beauty. Amine
did as she wa3 dc3ired, and was again left
to her solitude.
, Although to-morrow was to end all A
mine's hopes and fears all her short hap
piness her suspense and misery yet A
mine slop tilt her last slumber in this world
was disturbed by the unlocking and unbar
ring of the door of her cell, and the appear
ance of the head jailor with a light. Amine
started up she had been dreaming of her
husband of happiness ! There stood the
jailor, with a dress in his hand, which he
desired she would put on. He lighted a
lamp for her and left her alone. The
dress was of black scrgc.with white stripes.
Amino put on the dress, and threw her
self down on tho bed, trying if possible to
recall the dream from which she had been
awakened, but in vain. Two hours passed
away and the jailor again entered, and sum
moticd her to follow him. Pcihaps one
of the most appalling customs of the inqui
sition is, that after tho accusation, whether
the accused parties confess their guilt or not
they return to their dungeons without the
least idea of what may havo been their, sen
tenco, and when summoned on the morning
of the execution they are equally kept in
ignorance.
The prisoners were all summoned by the
jailors from the various dungeons and led
into a large hall, where they found their fel
low sufferers collected.
In this spacios, dimly lighted hall were
to be seen two hundred men, standing up
for support,against the walls, all dressed in
the same black and white serge. So mo
tionless were they that if it had not been'
for the rolling of their eyes, as they watch
ed tho jailors who passed and repassed, you
, might havo imagined them petiified. It
was the agony of suspense worso than the
agony of death. After a time a wax candle
about five feet long, was put in the hands
of each prisoner and then some were order
ed to put on over their diesses xhoSanbcni
toz, others the Samiras! Those who re
ceived these dresses, with flames painted
on them, gave themselves up for lost and
it was dreadful to perceive the anguish of
each individual as the dresses were one by
one brought forward, and with tho heavy
drops of perspiration on his brow, he
watched with terror lest one should be pre
sented to him. All was doubt, fear and
horror.
But the prisoners in the Hall were not
those who were to suffor death. Those
who wore tho Sanbenitos had to walk in
the procession and receive but slight punish
ment; those who wore tho Samiras had been
condemned but had been saved from the
consuming fire, by acknowledgment of their
offence; the flames painted on their dresses
were reversed, and signified that they were
not to suffcrjbut this the unfortunate wretch
es did not know, and the horrors of a cruel
death started them in the face I
Another hall similar to the one in which
the men had been collected; wa3 occupied
by female culprits: the same ceremonies
were observed tho same doubt, fear, and
agony were depicted upon every counte
nance. But there was a third chamber,
smaller than the other two, and this cham
ber had been reserved for those who had
been sentenced, and who were to suffer at
the stake. It was into this chamber that
Amine was led and there she found seven
other prisoners dressed in the same manner
as herself; two only were Europeans, the
other five were necros slaves. Each of
these had their confessors with them, and
were earnestly listening to his exortation.
A monk approached Amino but she waved
him away with her hand; he looked at her
spat on the floor and cursed her The head
jailor now made his appearance with the
dresses foi those who were in this chamber
these were Samarias, only different from
i'ic others, jRnsrnuchsuiihc. flnmoo.,-.,mfBrn,
painted on them upward instead of down
These dresses were of gray stuff loose,
like a waggoner s frock: at tho lower part
of them both before and behind; was pain
ted the likeness of the wearer, that is, the
face only, resisting upon a burning faggot
and surrounded with flames and demons,
Under the portrait was written the crime for
which the party suffered. Sugar loaf caps
with flames painted on them, were also
brought and put on their heads, and the long
wax candles were placed in their hands
Amine and the others condemned being
arrayed in these dresses, remained in the
chambcre for some hours before it was
time for the procession to commence, for
they had been all summoned up by the jai
lors at about two o'clock m tho morning.
The sun rose brilliantly, much to the joy
of tho members of tho Holy office, who
would not havo the day obscured on which
they were to vindicate tho honor of the
church, and prove how they acted up to the
old doctrins of our Savour; those of charity,
good will, forbearing one another, foigiving
one another.
The prisoners were then all conducted in
procession to the Cathedral, the grand alter
of which was hung with black cloth, and
lighted up with thousand of tapers. On
ono side of it was a throne for the grand In
quisition op the other a raised platform for
the Viceroy of God and his suite. The
center aisle had benches for tho prisoners,
and the god fathers; the other portion of the
procession falling off to the right and left,
to the side aisle and they mixing for the
time with tho spectators- As the prisoners
entered the Cathedral, they were led into
their scats, those least guilty sitting nearest
to tho alter, and thoso who were condemn
ed to the slake being placed the farther from
it.
Tho bleeding Amine tottered to her seat
and longed for tho home which was to sev
er her from a Christian world. She
thought not of herself, nor if what she was
to sullerisho thought but of Philipiof his be
ing safe from these merciful creatures, of the
happiness of dying first, and of meeting him
again in bliss.
Amino had not taken hor scat in the
Cathedral more than few second, when
overpowered by her feelings and by fatigue
she fell back in a swoon.
Did no one, step forward to assist her?
to raise her up, and offer her restoratives 1
No not one. Hundreds would have done
so, but they dared not, she was an outcast,
excommunicated, abandoned, and lost; and
should any one moved by compassion for a
suffering fellow creature, have ventured to
raise her up would have been looked upon
with suspicion,and most piobably have been
arraigincd and have had to settle tho affair
of conscience wih tho Holv Innuisilion.
After a short time two of the officers of
tho Inquisition went to Amine and raised
her again in her seat,and she recovered suffi
ciently to enable her to retain her posture.
A sermon was then preached by a Domin-
can monk, in which he portrayed the tender
mercies, the paternal love of the holy office.
He compared the inquisition to the ark of
Noah, out of which all the animals walked
after the deluge, but with this difference
highly in favor of the holy office, that the
animals went forth from the ark no better
than they went in, whereas those who had
gone into the inquisition with all the cruel
ty of disposition, and with the hearts of
wolves, came out as mild and patient as
lambs.
The public accuser then mounted the pul
pit and read from it all the crimes of those
who had been condemned and the punish
mcnts which they were to undergo. Each
prisoner, as me sentence was read, was
brought forward to tho pulpit by the officers
to hear their sentence, standing up, with
their wax candles lighted in their hands.
As poon as the sentences of all those whose
lives were spared were read, the Grand In
quisitor put on his priestly robes, and follow
cd by several others, took off from them the
ban of excommunication (which they were
noiy waicr on mem witn a small broom.
As soon as this portion of the ceremony
iyas over,thosc who were condemned to suf
fer, and the effigies of those who had escap
ed by death, were brought up one by one
and their sentence read; the winding up of
the condemnation or all was in the same
words, that tho holy Inquisition found it
impossible on account of their hardness of
their hearts and tho magnitude of their
crimes to pardon them. With great con
cern it handed them over to secular justice
to undergo the penalty of the laws; exhort
ing the authorities at the same time to show
clemency and mercy toward the unhappy
wretches, and if they must suffer death that
all events it might be without the spilling
of blood! What mockery was this appar
ent intercession, no to shed blood, when to
comply with their request, they substituted
tho agony and the torment at tho stake I
Amine was tho last who was led forward
to tho pulpit, which was fixed against one
of the massive columns of the centre aisle
close to tho throne occupied by the Grand
Inquisitcr.
" You, Amine Vanderdecken," cried the
public accuser At this moment an unu
sual bustle was heard in the crowd under
the pulpit.there was strugglo and expostula
tion; and the officers raised their wands for
order and decorum but it continued.
" You Amine Vanderdecken, being ac
cused "
Another violent struggle and from the
crowd darted a yong man, who rushed to
where Amine was standing and caught her
in his arms.
" Philip ! Philip !" screamed Amino fal
ling on his bosom; as he caught her, tho cap
of flames fell off her head and rolling along
tho marble pavement.
" My Amine my wife my adored one
is it thus we meet ? My Lord; she is
innocent." " Stand off men, continued the
officers of tho Inquisition, who would have
torn them asunder. Stand off or your
lives shall answer for it."
This threat of the officers, and the defi
ance of all rules were not to bo borne, the
whole Cathedral was in commotion, and the
solemnity of the ceremony was short to be
compromisedi The Viceroy and his follow
ers had risen from their chairs to observe I
what was passing, and the crowd was pres
sing on when the grand inquisitor gavo dir
ections and other officers hastened to the
assistance of the two who had led Amine for
ward and proceeded to disengage her from
Philip's arms. The struggle was severe.
Philip appeared to be endowed with the
strength of twenty men: and it was
some minutes before they could sepa
rate them, and when they had done so, his
struggles were dreadful.
Arainoalso, held by two of the familiars,
shrieked as she attempted onco more, but
in vain, to rush into her husband's arms.
iVt last, by a tremendous effort, Philip re
leased, he sunk down helpless of the pave
ment: the exertion had caused a of bursting of
a blood vessel and he lay without motion.
" Oh God ! Oh God! they have killed him
monsters murderers let me embrace
him but once more," cried Amine frantical-
A priest now stepped forward it was
father Mathias with sorrow in his coun
tenance he desired some of the bystanders
to carry eut Philip Vanderdecken; and Phil
ip, in a state of insensibit'y, was borne a-
way from the sight of Amine, the blood
streaming from his mouth.
Aminc's sentence was read she heard it
not, her brain was bewildered. She was
led back to her seat, and then it was tnat
all her courage, all her constancy and forli
tude gave way; and during the remainder of
the ceremony she filled thciCathcdral with
her hysterical sobbing, all entreaties or
threats were alike lost upon her.
All was now over except the last and most
tragical scene of the drama. The culprits
who had been spared were led back to the
Inquisitor by their god-fathersl and those
who had been sentenced were taken down
oji the. bank, of. the river to suffer. It was
v.. u mifju ujjuii ojjauu, ua mu imi oi iue
Custom House, that this ceremony was to
be gone through. As in the Cathedral, rais
ed thrones were prepared for the Grand In
quisitor and the Viceroy, who in state head
ed the procession; followed by an immense
concourse of people- Thirteen 3takes had
been set up, eight for the living five for the
dead. The executioners were sitting on, or
standing by the piles of wood and faggots,
waiting for their victims. Amine could not
walk; she was at, first supported by the fa
miliars, and then carried by them to the
stake which had been assigned for her.
When they put her on her feet opposite to
it, her courage seemed to revive sho walk
ed boldly up, folded her arms and leaned a
gainst it.
The executioners now commenced their
office : the chains were passed around A
mine's body the wood and faggots piled
around her. The same preparations had
been made with all the other culprits.
The confessors stood by the side of each
victim, Amine waved lice hand indignantly
to those who approached her, when Father
Mathias almost breathless made his appear
ance from the crowd, through which he had
forced his way.
" Amine Vanderdecken unhappy wo
man ! had you been counselled by me this
would not havo been. Now it is too late,
but not too late to save your soul. Away
then with this obstinacy this hardness of
heart: call upon the blessed Saviour that he
may receive your spirit call upon his
wounds for mercy. It is the eleventh hour,
but not too late. Amine," continued the
old man with tears, " I implore I conjure
you. At least may this load of trouble be
taken from my heart."
' Unhappy woman, you say?" replied
sho" say rather unhappy priest, for Amine's
sufferings will bo over while you must still
endure the torments of tho damned. Un
happy was tho day when my husband res
cued you from death. Still moro unhappy
the compassion which promted him to offer
you an assylum and a refuge, and received
you into his family. Unhappy tho knowl
edge of you from the first day to the last.
I leave you toyourconscience.if conscience
you retain nor would I change this cruel
death for the pangs which you in your fu
ture life will suffer Leave me I die in the
faith of my forefathers and scorn a creed
that warrants such a scene as this."
" Amino Vanderdecken," cried tho priest
on his knees, clasping his hands in agony;
Leave me father."
" There is but a minute left for tho lovd
of God."
" I tell vou then, leave that minute id
my own.
Father MathisaS turned away in despair.
and the tears coursed down the old man's
cheeks, as Amine said, hi3 misery was ex
treme.
The head executioner now inquired of
the confessors whether the culprits died in
tho true faith 1 It was answered in the af
firmative, a rope was passed round their
nocks twisted to the stake, so that they wcro
strangled before tho fire was kindled. All
the other culprits had died in this manner;
and the head executioner enquired of Fath
er Mathias whether Amine had a claim to
so much mercy. The old priest answered
not, but shook his head
The executioner turned1 away1. Afterst
moments pause, Father Mathias followed
him and seized him by the arm, saying in rt
faltering vico, " Let her not suffer long.''
The Grand Inquisitor gave the signal and
the fires were all lighted at the same mo
ment. In compliance with the request of
the priest, the cxecationer had thrown a
quantity of wet straw upon Amine's pile
which threw up a dense smoke before it
burst into flames.
" Mother ! mother ! t come io thee V
were the last words fieard from Amino's
lips.
The. flamc3soori raged fdrlously, ascend
ing high above the top of the atako to which
she had been chainedi Gradually they sunk,
down;.and only when tho burjiinc embers
covered the ground a few fragments of boned
hanging on the chain were all that remained
of the once peerless and high-minded Amine;
A FRENCH DUEL.
A true story, on which to found a novel.
Hilaire and Ernest were school-fellows
and friends; both entered the French milita
ry service; the former became an officer of
infantry, the latter a lancer. On the occa
sion, having obtained two months leave of1
absence from their respective corps, Hiiairo
'nvilcd Ernest to his mother's country houso
at the foot of Pyrenees, for the purpose of
shooting and otherwise, agreeably spending
their short respite from garrison duty. Hi
laire had a sister, young and beautiful, and
the brother, was not long in perceiving that
an attachment was forming between her
and'the gay lancer. Fearing.that this attach
ment if allowed to have its own free course,
would not prove advantageous for his sis
ter, Hilaire proposed to Ernest, somc-timo
before the expiration of their leave' to spend
the remainder of itin Paris. Ernest replied,
I know why you make this proposal: you
havo discovered that Louise and myself ara
attached to each other, and you want to
separate us. My views are honorable; I
hope one day to make her my wife. Your
family are Republican, mine are of the old
Noblesse but I hope to be able to induce'
my friends to agree to the union.'
Ililaricfelt assured that Ernest's inten
tions were correct, and after a time tho
friends returned to their regiments. Hard-"
ly had Hilaire rejoined his corps, than hia
mother wrote to inform him that Louiso
was enceinte by Ernest. Hilaire flew toi
him, and upbraided him, nt tho same time
urging him to savo the honor of his family
by immediately marrying Louise. Ernest
protested that it was his intention to do so
that he had been urging his friends to
consent to his marriage into a Republican
family as yet ho was unable to obtain the
consent. That an aged relative, whoso
heir he was, had apparently not long to livo
he could not survive three years but
whether he did so or not, at the end of that
time he solumnly promised to fulfil tho
pledgo to Louise. Hilaric could get no hot
at ths end of tho three yeais, the mother
4