Virginia Argus

Of the Duke D'Enghien. The following interesting account of the execution of this unfortunate Prince, we extract from a London paper entitled The Globe.

The execution of the Duke of Enghien was as private, and as studiously concealed as his condemnation was published with eclat. For twenty-four hours after his murder petitions for him were presented by the Duke de Licourt, and several other of his friends through the means of Madame Bonaparte, as the First Consul resides at Malmaison, where he is visible to none but his ministers, favourites and relatives. Even in the Senate, on the 22d it was proposed by Lanjuinais to advise the First Consul to pardon the Duke. It is said at Paris, that his senator pointed out in strong language the danger of accustoming Bonaparte to blood in civil causes and said among other things, "that Nero once when he was forced to sign his name to a death warrant but, at another time. accustomed to the sight of blood. by the advice of depraved counsellors, he murdered his own mother and brother. his tutor. his senators, ministers, generals, and all classes of Roman citizens, with the same indifference as he saw Rome burning."

Bonaparte desired General Mortier to be President of the Military commission which condemned the Duke, but he declined it. General Hulin was then appointed (the son of a washerwoman, and formerly a servant in the workhouses of the Court at Versailles,) notorious since July 14th, 1789, in all the dreadful catastrophes of the Revolution. After sentence was passed, the Duke asked if he could see Bonaparte: "yes," said Hulin, "if you have any discoveries to make." "Discoveries," answered the Duke, with indignation : "carry me to the place of execution." "That cannot be done," said Hulin. "before we have reported our sentence to the First Consul." "I knew the sentence," answered the Duke," before, against the laws of nations, he carried me away from Ettenheim."

From the time of the Duke's arrest, he had never once been permitted to lay on a bed, to undress, to shave, or to change his linen; and his feet were so swollen from fatigue that he could hardly stand. In the dungeon at Vincennes, where he was shut up, with four gens d'armes, for the 14 hours he lived after his condemnation there was neither a bed nor chair ; there was some straw, where he set down, but he was prevented from a moment's rest, by the noise and questions of satellites, who had orders to prevent his slumber. A clergyman was with him for an hour, but was not permitted to speak with him, except so loud as to be heard by the guards.

In the morning, before day-light, on the 22d, General Murat arrived at Vincennes, escorted by fifty Mamelukes, and accompanied with four aide de camps. and Generals Mortier, Hulin, and Louis Bonaparte, who had come on purpose from the coast. Each Mameluke held a flambeaux, and 200 Gens d'Armes and 300 men of the Italian troops surrounded the Castle, prevented the approach of every one, and guarded all the avenues to that part of the wood about a hundred yards distance from the castle, fixed for the place of execution. The Duke being told that his sentence was to be executed, said, calmly, "I am ready and resigned." When he heard upon inquiry, that the grenadiers who should shoot him, were Italians of Bonaparte's guard, he said, "Thank God! they are not Frenchmen. I am condemned by a foreigner, and God be praised, that my executioners are foreigners too. It will be a stain less upon my countrymen." Upon the place of execution, he lifted his hands towards Heaven, and said, "May God Preserve MY KING, AND DELIVER MY COUNTRY FROM ITS FOREIGN YOKE." Two gens d'armes then wanted to tie a handkerchief over his eyes ; but he said :--" a loyal Soldier, who has been so often exposed to fire and sword, can see the approach of death with naked eyes and without fear." His hat was then taken off. But in looking at the grenadiers, who had already pointed their fusils at him, he said, in Italian, "Grenadiers lower your arms, otherwise you will miss me, or only wound me." Of the nine grenadiers who fired at him, seven hit him; seven bullets pierced his body. Immediately after his murder, General Murat sent his aide de camp to Malmaison. A small coffin, tinned with lime, was ready to receive his body, and his grave had been dug in the garden of the castle, where he was buried.

Such was the end of the Duke of Enghien. butchered in the 32d year of his age, by the barbarous foreign usurper of the throne of his family He possessed the sincere affection. not only of his royal relatives, but of every Frenchman. who had served under him, and of every person who knew him. He had not only the esteem but the friendship of the Archduke Charles : who, during several campaigns, had been assisted by his talents, and witnessed his courage. He was as generous as brave: and, in the age of pleasure, deprived himself of all enjoyments, to assist his numerous distressed countrymen.