The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Warsaw, November 6.

"The following are some of the particulars relative to the late attempt on the life of the King of Poland.

"Kolinski led the King most.... to make an end of him there, but hearing the noise of horsemen, who, indeed, were people in quest of his Majesty, he was terrified at the peril he was in; and here it is that providence was visibly remarkable. The villain, perplexed and agitated with a sense of his crime, was staggered, and delayed the execution of it. The King observed his resolution altered, and availed himself of it. Kolinski said to him, 'I know that to kill the King is a great sin, but I have taken an oath to kill you.' His Majesty answered him, 'I see thou art not yet grown grey in thy iniquity; if thou knowest that it is a great sin to kill the King, how didst thou dare to take an oath to commit such a sin?' Kolinski replied, 'but I have, however, taken that oath: and, at last, if I do not kill you, I shall lose my own head.' Upon which the King answered, 'if thou believest me to be a King, thou oughtest to believe that I have power to spare thy life.' At last Kolinski giving way to remorse of conscience, confessed that he shuddered at the thought of killing his Sovereign, and knew not what to do. His Majesty proposed to him to go to Warsaw with him; but Kolinski still strongly expressed his fears; for, said he, 'It is common to promise many things in a case of necessity which cannot afterwards be granted.' The King then proposed to him that, if he would not trust to his word, he might leave him alone, and make his escape. Kolinski, convinced then of his Majesty's sincerity, declared that he would go with the King to Warsaw, although he deserved to lose his head, but that he was unacquainted with the road. In consequence he consented that the King should conduct him."