Alexandria Daily Advertiser

MURDER OF J. P. PALM.

You have no doubt read the particulars of the murder of the unfortunate Bookseller, Palm,--and that to intimidate others, Bonaparte ordered 6000 copies of the sentence of the mock tribunal to be circulated all over the continent. Some patriots here have in return subscribed for the publication and distribution of 60,000 copies of the enclosed letter, which he wrote to his wife some hours before his execution. You can form no idea of the general indignation this murder has excited here and every where else in Germany. The pity of his fate is only surpassed by the abhorrence of the tyrant who commanded and directed the assassins who perpetrated this atrocious deed.

Letter from J. P. Palm to his Wife.

"In the Dungeon of the Military Prison of Braunau, Aug. 16, 1806, six o'clock in the morning--

"My Dearest Beloved,

When you read those lines you are a widow, and our dear, dear children have no longer a father. My destiny is fixed, in five hours I cease to live. But though I die the death of a criminal, you know that I have committed no crime; I fall a victim of the present calamitous times! Times when an untimely end can neither dishonor a man whose whole life has been irreproachable, nor throw a stain on his surviving family. In our miserable days what virtue has not expired by the hands of the executioner? Do not let your affliction for the fate of a husband, deprive you of firmness to support the duties of a mother. Our dear, dear babes (Oh, my God! I shall never more press them or you to my bursting heart!) have now a double claim on your maternal love, as well as on your maternal tenderness. Implant in their tender minds all those virtuous sentiments which made their good mother so very dear to their unfortunate father. I advise you to collect as soon as possible the wreck of our fortune (if any) and to retire with it to England or America. In those fortunate lands innocence is still secure, and patriotism is yet secure.

"In my last fervent prayers, I recommend you all to the protection of an Omnipotent Providence, and to the compassion of those contemporary patriots of all countries whose noble bosoms sympathise with my own feelings, and deplore, if not weep over the destruction of liberty in wretched Germany.

"Reward the friend who delivers this and forgive, and teach our dear children to forgive my murderer. May heaven pardon him as much as I do. I cannot -- I dare not say more: my breast is too full. Oh I my God! Never, never, more to behold and embrace them and you!! Almighty Creator bless and preserve you all till we meet in another and better world to part no more. With my last breath, your ever affectionate husband,

JOHN PALM."