Jenks's Portland Gazette

Among the present Directory of the Batavian Republic, is a person of the name of Van Hoof, who had the narrowest escape from the guillotine. During the time of Robespierre he was in one of the prisons of Paris, expecting, with many others, to be carried to the guillotine - At length one of the Commissioners ordered all the prisoners to be called, in order to elect those who were to be executed. He called out Van Hoof, a foreigner. A person of the name of Vanot, a watchmaker. immediately advanced, and replied "here I am." He was immediately carried to the tribunal, not even interrogated, but condemned to die. In the roll, of persons executed, it appeared that Van Hoof had been guillotined. The 9th of Thermidor, which destroyed Robespierre, arrived. The friends of the Dutchman demanded his release. It was answered that he was dead. They asserted the contrary. The prisoners were called, and Van Hoof was pointed out. It was then found that another had been assassinated in his place, and he was permitted to leave the prison.