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Domestic News
October 4, 1780
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Funeral procession in Philadelphia for the Spanish resident who died at Morristown, involving Monsieur Luzerne, Congress, and others; discovered to be a sham as the body was already buried there.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
May 20. On Monday the 4th instant, was celebrated at Philadelphia the funeral of the Spanish resident who lately died at Morristown. The following was the order of the procession:
The Bier covered with black cloth,
Monsieur Luzerne, the French resident,
The Congress,
The General Officers
The Citizens.
When the procession arrived at the Roman Catholic Chapel, the Priest presented the holy water to Monr. Luzerne, who after sprinkling himself, presented it to Mr. Huntington, President of the Congress: The Calvinist paused a considerable time, near a minute, but at length his affection for the great and good ally conquered all scruples of conscience, and he too being sprinkled and sanctified himself with all the adroitness of a veteran Catholic; which his brethren of the Congress perceiving, they also without hesitation followed the righteous example of their proselyted President.
Before the company, which were extremely numerous, left the chapel, curiosity induced some persons to uncover the bier, when they were highly enraged at finding the whole a sham, there being no corpse under the cloth, the body of the Spanish Gentleman having been several days before interred at Morristown. The bier was surrounded with wax candles, and every Member of this egregious Congress, now reconciled to the Popish Communion, carried a taper in his hand.
The Bier covered with black cloth,
Monsieur Luzerne, the French resident,
The Congress,
The General Officers
The Citizens.
When the procession arrived at the Roman Catholic Chapel, the Priest presented the holy water to Monr. Luzerne, who after sprinkling himself, presented it to Mr. Huntington, President of the Congress: The Calvinist paused a considerable time, near a minute, but at length his affection for the great and good ally conquered all scruples of conscience, and he too being sprinkled and sanctified himself with all the adroitness of a veteran Catholic; which his brethren of the Congress perceiving, they also without hesitation followed the righteous example of their proselyted President.
Before the company, which were extremely numerous, left the chapel, curiosity induced some persons to uncover the bier, when they were highly enraged at finding the whole a sham, there being no corpse under the cloth, the body of the Spanish Gentleman having been several days before interred at Morristown. The bier was surrounded with wax candles, and every Member of this egregious Congress, now reconciled to the Popish Communion, carried a taper in his hand.
What sub-type of article is it?
Death Or Funeral
What keywords are associated?
Funeral Procession
Philadelphia
Spanish Resident
Congress
Sham Bier
Morristown
What entities or persons were involved?
Spanish Resident
Monsieur Luzerne
Mr. Huntington
Priest
Where did it happen?
Philadelphia
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Philadelphia
Event Date
Monday The 4th Instant
Key Persons
Spanish Resident
Monsieur Luzerne
Mr. Huntington
Priest
Outcome
sham funeral discovered; no corpse, body already interred at morristown; persons enraged
Event Details
Procession order: Bier, Monsieur Luzerne, Congress, General Officers, Citizens. At Roman Catholic Chapel, holy water sprinkled by Luzerne, then Huntington and Congress members. Bier uncovered revealing sham with no body, surrounded by wax candles; members carried tapers.