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Madam Manson, though accused of having given false testimony, was imprisoned as an accomplice in the assassination, and still persisted in the same system of mystery. She was about thirty-two years of age, small, pale, with expressive eyes, of moderate height, and the vivacity of her spirit rendered her sometimes pretty, but she was always amiable and interesting. The hope was still entertained that she would abandon her deplorable system, and by a frank and full disclosure, contribute to the triumph of truth.

The time was fixed for the 25th of March, 1818, and at half past eleven o'clock the court entered. It was composed of Messrs. de Faydel, president; baron de Cambon, viscount de Combette, Caumont, Pagan and Pinau, judges; baron Gary, attorney-general of the king, Colombars, advocategeneral and Combyaires, attorney of the king at Albi, and twelve jurors of high rank and respectability.

The indictment (l'acte d'accusation) against madam Manson was as follows:

"The trial at Albi gave rise to incidents as extraordinary perhaps as the outrage which was the subject of the trial. A woman, named Manson, after having declared before the prefect of Aveyron that she was an eye witness of the assassination of Fualdes; that she was in the house of Bancal at the moment he was killed, that she herself ran the greatest danger; after having made the statements to many other persons, appeared at the trial and denied all the facts, and swore that she was not at Bancal's; her oral assertions were contradicted by her countenance, her looks and her actions. The sight of the accused produced in her convulsions and faintings, either real or feigned. Several times during the hearing, she fell or seemed to fall into a Swoon. The words, daggers, assassins, escaped her lips, and her apostrophes to Jausion and Bastide testified her perfect knowledge of the details of the assassination. The

progress of the trial afforded only a constant spectacle of variations, contradictions, and contempt, express and avowed, of the oath she had taken to tell the truth; and she had . the audacity to declare, towards the close of the proceedings, that the truth should not come from her mouth. All the circumstances shewed that she was initiated in the mysteries of the crime which had been committed upon the person of the unhappy Fualdes, or at least in its consummation. A deep interest could alone give occasion for her variations, contradictions, recantations, and her formal refusal at last to tell the truth. In the proceedings, and in her letters to the prefect, she spoke of the tragic end which appeared to be in reserve for her. The position of her son, deprived of his mother, appeared to occupy much of her thoughts; and, in short, every thing concurred to prove that she feared the punishment due to criminals.

The lady Manson, is therefore accused of having aided and assisted the authors of the murder of Fualdes in the preparation for or execution of the deed, or in its final consummation."

The president addressed the jury and recounted with great particularity all the circumstances of the assassination, derived in part from the examination of the witnesses and in part from the suggestions of his fancy. The attorneygeneral then opened the case on the part of the accusation, and was followed by Mr. Trajan, the counsel of Fualdes, the son, praying that he might be admitted a civil party to the proceedings in his own interest and for the creditors of his father. This being granted, he addressed the court with extreme emotion, in a short speech.

The court then proceeded to hear the witnesses; two hundred and forty-five having deen summoned for the prosecution and about sixty for the defence. When the witnesses had retired to the rooms designated for the purpose, the court proceeded to hear one Lacombe, who testi

fied to a sharp controversy between Fualdes and Bastide on the 19th of March, 1817, on the former's demanding payment of the money which the latter owed him. Several of the first days of the trial were occupied in hearing the proof that Jausion and Bastide were in Rodez at the time, and that they were under large pecuniary liabilities to Fualdes.

In the course of the trial, while madam Manson was under examination, the president stated that the most extraordinary efforts had been made to corrupt and intimidate the witness. She had received two anonymous letters threatening her and her son with death, if she gave evidence against the prisoners. After reading these letters aloud, he endeavored to encourage madam Manson-assuring her of safety and protection and conjuring her, in the name of God, to testify the whole truth. She admitted that she was at the house-that she was dressed in male clothing, that her own life was threatened by Bastide, and that she was saved by a man whose name she constantly refused to

utter. She declared that she took no oath. The widow Bancal being interrogated immediately afterwards declared that madam Manson was not there at the time. Bach, in his confession, stated that three women were present, but their backs were turned to him and he could not recognise either of them. On the 19th day of the trial, young Fualdes requested that Jausion might be ordered personally to inquire of madam Manson whether she saw him at Bancal's. Jausion was scarcely able to conceal his agitation; he hesitated for a moment, and then turning towards madam Manson, said, with a smile of remarkable affectation, madam, I am ordered to speak to you. Madam Manson turned away, and permitting her head to drop upon her hands, remained a few moments without speaking, and then said; I have nothing to say. The young Fualdes requested the jurors to remark the embarrassment of the two speakers.

The President. Speak, madam: you owe the truth to justice. Did you see Jausion at Bancal's? Was he the person who led you out of the closet, and conducted you to the city square? Explain yourself without fear-justice protects you.

Madam Manson, (after some minutes silence and with great agitation.) I cannot recollect (reconnaitre) Jausion. A witness, named Theron, being introduced, testified as follows:

On the 19th of March, I returned from the Aveyron, where I had been to fix some hooks for fishing. When I arrived near the edge of the meadow, I heard many persons descending the same road I had travelled. I thought they were people from Laguiroule and stopped. The people, as they approached, exhibiting a frightful object, I concealed myself behind a thicket, and saw a train pass, preceded by Bastide, whom I perfectly recollect, and who carried a musket, with the muzzle downwards. He was followed by four men who carried, upon two bars, a corpse enveloped in a covering. Among these four men I recognised a soldier named Colard, and Bancal, who were both before; behind I recognised Bach, who carried one of the bars; but I did not recognise the person who occupied the last place. At the side of Bach and the unknown, who carried the corpse, and a little behind I saw another individual whom I was not able to recognise; and at last a step or more behind these three last persons, I positively recognised Jausion, who carried, as well as Bastide, a musket, with the muzzle pointing to the ground. I knew him because I had seen him very often, although at the time I speak of, he had under his round hat a kind of whitish handkerchief, which fell down upon his eyes. From the place where I lay hid, I followed the train with my eyes, as it passed over the windings of the field. When it had arrived in the middle, the persons who com

posed it stopped to breathe; I immediately took my shoes in my hand and fled.

This witness explained his suppression of this important testimony, until after the trial at Rodez, by saying that as Bastide had been once released, he feared he might be again, and that he would treat him as he had Fualdes.Bach admitted that the train was composed as the witness had stated. Colard. Inquire, Mr. President, of this witness if he recognised me. Theron. Yes, sir, perfectly. Colard. This is not true. I had no hand in this crime. My soul and my hands are pure. Notwithstanding the solemnity of the occasion, the audience were not able to restrain their mirth, and some loud laughs interrupted Colard in the exordium of his discourse.

Colard (turning to the spectators). Gentlemen, if you were in my place, you would not laugh; and you, witness, will render an account of your testimony before God.

Anne Benoit (the mistress of Colard, rising with vivacity, and speaking to Theron). My poor friend, you are a false witness.

Mr. Blanc being called deposed to a conversation with madam Manson, in which she said her testimony would convict the accused. Madam Manson denied having had any such conversation. The widow Bancal then exhorted her to tell the truth, upon which madam Manson threw upon her a glance full of indignation and contempt. Bastide joined in the entreaty. At which, she exclaimed: (( wretch you know me not and yet wished to murder me." At these words, pronounced with vehemence, the hall resounded with applause. Madam Manson fell into a swoon, and on recovering was entreated by Fualdes to disclose the truth; upon which she fell into another swoon, and the court adjourned.

At the opening of the court the next day, the president made another touching appeal to madam Manson. He

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