Palm, John P. - 1807

MURDER OF J. P. PALM

Berlin, Sept. 22.

You have; no doubt, read the particulars of the murder of the unfortunate bookseller, Palm—and that to intimidate others, Bonaparte ordered 6000 copies of the sentence of the mock tribunal to be circulated all over the continent, Some patriots here have in return, subscribed or the publication and distribution of 60,000 copies of the inclosed <sic> letter, which he wrote to his wife some hours before his execution. You can form no idea of the general indignation this murder has excited here and everv where else in Germany. The pity of his fate is only surpassed by the abhorrence of the tyrant who commanded and directed the assassins who perpetrated this attrocious <sic> deed.

Letter from J. P. Palm to His Wife.

"Dungeon, 6 o'clock a. m. Aug. 26.
"My dearest beloved—when you read these lines you are a widow, and our dear, dear children have no longer a father. My destiny is fixed; in 5 hours I cease to live. But though I die the death of a criminal, you know I have committed no crime; I fall a victim of the present calamitous times!  times when an untimely end can neither dishonor a man, whose whole life has been irreproachable, nor throw a stain on his surviving family. In our miserable
days what virtue has not expired by the hand of the executioner?  Do not let your affliction for the fate of a husband, deprive you of the firmness to support the duties of a mother. Our dear, dear babes (O my God) !—I shall never more press them or you to my bursting heart! have now a double claim on your maternal love, as well as on you maternal tenderness.  Implant in their tender minds all those virtuous sentiments which made their good mother so very dear to their unfortunate father. I advise you to collect as soon as possible the wreck of our fortune (if anv) and to retire with it to England, or America.  In those fortunate lands, innocence is still secure and patriotism is yet revered.

“In my last fervent prayers I recommend you all to the protection, of an Onimpotent <sic> Providence, and to the compassion of those contemporary patriots of all countries, whose noble bosoms sypathise <sic> with my own feelings, and deplore if not weep over the destruction in wretched Germany.

“Reward the friend who delivers this, and forgive, and teach our dear children to forgive my murderer.  May Heaven pardon him as much as I do.  I cannot—I dare not say more—my breast is too full. --Oh my God, never more to behold and embrace them and you !!! --Almighty Creator ! bless and preserve you all until we meet in another and better world to part no more.  With my last breath, your ever affectionate husband.

“JOHN P. PALM”

~ The Huntingdon Gazette, 01-Jan-1807, Page 2, Column 3