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[[start left-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 1]] M. GARNERIN. It was not our intention to have again troubled the Public with any thing more respecting this man (who made more noise while he was in this Country than he ought to have done), and more especially as he has now left it; but we have received a Letter in vindication of himself, from FRANCOIS SOULES; who was severely aspersed by GARNERIN, in his exculpatory Narratives, and we feel we should act with some degree of injustice of we were to suppress it; we therefore, without further preface, submit it to the Public. To the EDITOR of THE TRUE BRITON. SIR, I was astonished at seeing in our Papers a translation from the English ones, in which I was indirectly attacked by GARNERIN. Such an attack cannot, in France, hurt my character, where I am universally known as an honest man, and a man of honour, and GARNERIN as a ----- and a -----, but I have a reputation to preserve with the English Nation, which has on several occasions given me proofs of its justice, impartiality, and generosity. As to the accusations laid against me concerning the unfortunate Princess LAMBALLE, they are so absurd, so contrary to my principles and my constant conduct during the Revolution, that I will not even take the trouble to answer them:- A man who had during ten years, learnt in England what true Liberty was, who had published in 1792 - [[italics]] Licentiousness is nothing else but despotism under another form. The despot who sends an individual to the Bastille is less cruel than the LICENTIOUS who hangs a fellow creature to a lantern; and the LICENTIOUS who destroys by fire the properties of his neighbours, is as abominable as the tyrant who deprives them by an arbitrary order [[/italics]]*; could not be guilty of any lawless deed, therefore I will only endeavour to exculpate myself for having had any connection with a man so despicable as Garnerin. This man was quite unknown to me till the moment he ascended in a Balloon. During the time of the greatest Terror, all my friends had been guillotined or were dispersed, and I was closely confined till the death of Robespierre, in a prison where we were not allowed the reading of the Papers: I consequently could not hear of Garnerin's exploits, who at that time was very active in the service of the Committee of Public Safety, as I will explain afterwards, part of which exploits I was apprised of in England, and part since my return to France. When Peace was made between the two Nations, I took a Passport to go to England. I had two objects in view, 1st, to purchase books and establish a correspondence; 2dly, to visit my old friends, and see again a country I am fond of. - Garnerin was apprized of it, and offered to defray the expences of the voyage, if I would assist him in the Country; he even intimated that he would make me a handsome present, in case he should meet with success. As I had no bad opinion of him, and believed him a man of honour and science, I readily acquiesced. Judging of other men [[?]] self, I made no written agreement, and entirely trusted to his honour. But when we were in England, and I had done most of his business, I perceived his real character, and my friends told me I disgraced myself by associating with such a man. I therefore took the first opportunity of parting with him, and went to live in another house, where I remained a month longer, till I had finished my business, without any regard for the future reward the [[italics]] celebrated aeronaut [[/italics]] had promised. When Garnerin then, says he dismissed me, and sent me back to France, he tells a lie, since it was I who dismissed him, or who left him when I was dissatisfied with him. I would never have spoken of Garnerin, or have had the least thought about him, had not he cowardly attacked me. I was at three hundred miles from London, and three months after my departure from that Metropolis. At such an unprecedented and unprovoked attack, my friends felt indignant, and brought me a number of anecdotes concerning him, which your correspondents will be surprised at. Garnerin in the time of Terror wore a red cap, and was Member of the Revolutionary Committee of the Section of Bon Conseil; in that capacity he was so active, that he recommended himself to the infamous Committee of Public Safety, and was appointed one of its agents, which at that time was equivalent to a [[italics]] spy [[/italics]]. In that capacity he was sent with unlimited powers to watch and arrest the [[italics]] Aristocrats [[italics]], as it was specified in his commission. He went to the county-seat of M. de Folville, called Manancourt, near Perrone, in order to arrest him. M. de Folville made his escape; but [[Garne]]rin, Bonommé, and Royer, arrested the whole family, the steward, and the private tutor of his children, and sent them to the prisons of Perrone. Garnerin took afterwards two horses from the stables of M. Debiache, and went to Marchiennes, where he was taken prisoner with the garrison. Those facts you may depend upon as authentic, I have them from the first authority, and I sign them. FRANCOIS SOULES. P.S. Some people imagine, that Garnerin has been an officer in the French army, because he cunningly says, "I was at that time with the armies:" 'tis a mistake, he never was in the army, he was with the army as an Agent of the Committee of Public Safety. [[italics]] Paris, Rue Projetêe, No. 798, October [[/italics]] 31, 1802. *De L'homme, de Sociétés, et des Gouvernemens, p. 66. Whether GARNERIN'S trip to this Country was a productive one or not, we do not know; but we believe he had no reason to complain of Sir FRANCIS BURDETT'S want of generosity. The Hon. Baronet's bounty was meant, no doubt, as an encouragement to Science, and not as a reward for, any [[italics]] political Principles [[/italics]], which M. GARNERIN may be supposed to entertain. [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[start centre column]] [[start clipping 1 of 6]] ^[[M. Post. Nov. 11. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] MR. GARNERIN. Mr. Garnerin having been again assailed with torrents of abuse in [[italics]] The Oracle [[/italics]] of the 30th ult. and malignant insinuations having been made relative to his escape from the prisons of [[italics]] Oudenarde [[/italics]], in the year 1793; an escape which The Oracle is pleased to represent as a [[italics]] breach of parole [[/italics]]; In order to ascertain the degree of credit which should be attached to the contexture of charges, to phraseology, at tortured expressions, in Mr. Garnerin's absence, his friends felt themselves induced to apply to Mr. Walker, now Deputy Barrack-master at Windsor. As, at the period alluded to, the care and charge of the French prisoners of war devolves on this last Gentleman, he was requested (in compliance to the hint in [[italics]] The Oracle [[/italics]]) to recur "to his official papers." This having been done, Mr. Walker felt himself bound in duty and honour to deposit the following unequivocal [[italics]] Certificate [[/italics]] at the War-office: and, in vindication of poor Garnerin, gave his friends a faithful copy of the [[italics]] Certificate [[/italics]] in his own hand writing, as follows, which, for the conviction of those whom misrepresentation and malignity might have prepossessed, is left in [[italics]] original [[/italics]] at the office of THE MORNING POST: - "I hereby certify that Andre Jacques Garnerin, at the time of his desertion from Oudenarde, in December 1793, was not on his parole of honour. And further, that the character or title of the said Andre Jacques Garnerin, as certified to me on the 17th of November 1793, was that of [[italics]] Chef de Division des Charois des Armies Francaises [[/italics]]. (Signed) "ALEX WALKER, "Late Deputy Commissary of Prisoners of War on the Continent." [end clipping] [start clipping 2 of 6] A new piece of tin-work, in [[underlined]]imitation of GARNERIN's Parachute,[[/underlined]] nearly large enough to cover the dome of the Pantheon, is to be placed there on Monday night, having near four thousand lamps: this will have a grand effect; it is to be lighted by means of a scaffolding; the house has had several great improvements since last season, and will be an overflowing one, on Monday evening. The supper we are sure will be a good one. ^[[Feb 19, 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 6]] BALLOON. The following letter was sent by M. GARNERIN previously to his ascension at Berlin: - TO THE EDITOR OF THE HAMBURGH CORRESPONDENTS. SIR, The subscription opened by Messrs. FR. NITZE and Co. has had the best effects. I can assure the subscribers that my balloon is in the greatest forwardness. For the farther accommodation and satisfaction of the public, I have resolved to continue to issue tickets of admission at one six-dollar 12 gr. each, till the 8th of this month. I have reason to believe, Mr. Editor, from public report, that Their Majesties the KING, QUEEN and ROYAL FAMILY of Prussia are pleased with the undertaking, and may probably shew every encouragement to my wife and myself in the case of its success. HIS MAJESTY allows me the use of the garden belonging to the Veterinary School. I shall not fail to be there at the appointed hour on the day which has been fixed. Till that day my balloon is to be seen at the Opera House. For the satisfaction of the public, I communicate the following particulars of its dimensions, &c. Its diameter is 26 feet. Its length 81f. 8in. 7l. The measurement of the surface of both hemispheres 2124 f. 8 in. 10 l. Solid contents 9.[[06f?]]. 9in. 61. The band which connects the two hemispheres is 2f. 8in. broad. The total surface [[150?]]f. 8in. 7l. Its cubic measurement 1239f. 7in. [[11l?]] The total capacity of the balloon [[10440f?]] Weight which it can sustain 8:2 pounds, 11 oz, 56 g. Actual weight of the matter of the balloon 120 pounds. The net - - - - 60 The gondola or boat - - 50 Mrs. Garnerin - - - 97 Mr. Garnerin - - - 130 Anchor and cable - - 15 Ballast - - 50 Total - 522 There is still a balance of 155 pounds, 8 ounces for the weight of Professor HERMSTADT, if he should chuse to ascend with us. Berlin, April 1. ^[[1803 - handwritten in ink]] BERLIN, APRIL 16 [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 6]] Garnerin and Madame Garnerin were to ascend in a balloon, a second time, from Berlin on the [[underlined]]13th [[/underlined]]inst. in which aerial excursion they were to be accompanied by Professor Helmstadt. ^[[April 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start of clipping 5 of 6]] Garnerin, the Aeronaut, is to ascend in a balloon and descend in a parachute, at Berlin, between the 10th and [[underlined]]15th inst.[[/underlined]] His Prussian Majesty patronizes the undertaking, and has subscribed 100 Louis upon the occasion. ^[[April 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 6]] Poor Garnerin, the Aeronaut, it is reported, has fallen a victim to his adventurous propensity. During an ascension in Russia, his balloon is said to have met with electrical matter, which entirely destroyed it, and he himself was literally dashed to pieces. ^[[August 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[start right-hand column]] [[start of clipping 1 of 6]] [[italics]] Petersburgh, Aug. 5 [[/italics]]. On Saturday, the 30th ult. M. Garnerin ascended about nine o'clock from the Garden of the Cadets, in the presence of the Imperial Family, and descended about half an hour after, when it was already pretty dark, three German miles off, near Krasno Selo. He was accompanied this time, not by his wife, but by Lieutenant General Lewof, for which Garnerin received 2000 roubles; his receipt was besides very considerable. Of the 15,000 roubles he took on his first ascension, he had lost 12,000 at the gaming table, for which we are obliged to him as the money remains in the country; to recover his loss, however, he this time raised the price, which the publick, who are really generous, have taken very ill. A young man, of a good Russian family, who had seduced a young woman, and then recalled his promise to marry her, has been condemned, by the Emperor to six years imprisonment, and to pay her besides a very considerable sum of money. ^[[1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 6]] The brother of Garnerin, the aeronaut, who is also distinguished as an experimental philosopher, has lately made the discovery of a process which affords a very fascinating effect to the beauty and variety of illuminations. This process consists in the preparation of glasses so coloured that they present one colour when viewed in one direction, and a different colour when viewed in the opposite direction. He made the first essay of this process in a splendid fete given to the King of Etruria, and it succeeded most completely. At that fete a long arched alley was illuminated after this manner, and such was the illusion produced by those glasses, that the arch of the alley presented a red colour to those who walked along it in one direction, while to those who moved in the contrary direction it presented a blue colour. This experiment has lately been repeated in the Orangerie at St. Cloud, and with equal effect and success. Mr. Garnerin has also, by some new chemical discoveries, considerably varied and improved the appearance and brilliancy of fireworks. ^[[Sept 1 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 6]] ^[[Sept 1803 - handwritten in ink]] We are happy to find the account of [[underlined]]GARNERIN'S death [[/underlined]]is unfounded. An article from St. Petersburgh says: - On Saturday the 30th ult. Citizen GARNERIN ascended about nine o'clock from the garden of the Cadets, in presence of the Imperial Family, and descended about an hour after, when it was already dark, 3 German miles off, near Krasno Selo. He was accompanied this time, not by his wife, but by Lieut. General LEWOF, for which GARNERIN received 2000 roubles: his receipt was besides very considerable. Of the 15,000 roubles he took on his first ascension, he had lost 12,000 at the gaming table, for which we are obliged to him, as the money remains in the country; to recover his loss, however, he this time raised the price, which the public, who are really generous, have taken very ill. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 6]] Garnerin, who is at present in Petersburgh, has assumed the title of "[[italics]] Physicien aeronaut du Government Francois [[/italics]]." He gave publick notice on the 16th June last, that it was his intention to rise on the 20th of that month, for the purpose of making experiments on electricity and galvanism, with a variety of curious meteorological observations, unless the wind should blow from the gulf of Finland, or the lake Ladoga, in which case he desired to be excused. The price of a ticket of admission the [[italics]] modest /[[italics]] Aeronaut has in his [[italics]] moderation [[/italics]] fixed at no higher than 25 roubles, or three guineas. A report is in circulation, that in his ascent, electrick matter had destroyed the balloon, and that M. Garnerin was dashed to pieces. ^[[Sept. 10 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 6]] Garnerin, in the course of last June, published at Petersburgh, an advertisement, stating, that " [[italics]] Par deference pour la respectable Publique de St. Petersbourg [[/italics]] ," he intended to undertake another aerial excursion, and that any gentleman might be admitted to a seat in his basket, who chose to pay the small sum of two thousand rubles for that interesting and instructive amusement. He has also advertised " [[italics]] promenades a ballon captif [[/italics]] ," for one hundred rubles per "[[italics]] promenade [[/italics]]." The magnetic, galvanic and meterological experiments, which the [[italics]] learned [[/italics]] "Physicien Aeronaute" promised to make on his first aerial excursion, were omitted on account of the shortness of his journey, which lasted no longer than about 10 minutes. ^[[Oct 1 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 6]] Garnerin in his 35th ascent from Moscow, saw, for the first time, an image of his balloon in the clouds in very bright prismatic colours. When at the height of 12,000 feet, he galvanised himself and observed flashes of light. While hovering over a wood he was fired at by a huntsman, who with the peasants, on seeing him descend from the clouds, considered him as supernatural. ^[[1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[end page]] ^ 127- handwritten in pencil at bottom of page]]
