Proposition to go to Montreal and testify against the
priests--Commencement of my journey--Stop at Troy, Whitehall,
Burlington, St. Alban's, Plattsburgh, and St. John's--Arrival at
Montreal--Reflections on passing the Nunnery, &c.
About a fortnight after I had made the disclosures mentioned in the
last chapter, Mr. Hoyt called at the Hospital to make inquiries about
me. I was introduced to him by Mr. Tappan. After some conversation, he
asked me if I would consent to visit Montreal, and give my evidence
against the priests and nuns before a court. I immediately expressed my
willingness to do so, on condition that I should be protected. It
immediately occurred to me, that I might enter the nunnery at night,
and bring out the nuns in the cells, and possibly Jane Ray, and that
they would confirm my testimony. In a short time, arrangements were
made for our journey, I was furnished with clothes; and although my
strength was but partially restored, I set off in pretty good spirits.
Our journey was delayed for a little while, by Mr. Hoyt's waiting to
get a companion. He had engaged a clergyman to accompany us, as I
understood, who was prevented from going by unexpected business. We
went to Troy in a steamboat; and, while there, I had several interviews
with some gentlemen who were informed of my history, and wished to see
me. They appeared to be deeply impressed with the importance of my
testimony; and on their recommendation it was determined that we should
go to St. Alban's, on our way to Montreal, to get a gentleman to
accompany us, whose advice and assistance, as an experienced lawyer,
were thought to be desirable to us in prosecuting the plan we had in
view: viz. the exposure of the crimes with which I was acquainted.
We travelled from Troy to Whitehall in a canal packet, because the easy
motion was best adapted to my state of health. We met on board the Rev.
Mr. Sprague of New York, with whom Mr. Hoyt was acquainted, and whom he
tried to persuade to accompany us to Montreal. From Whitehall to
Burlington we proceeded in a steamboat; and there I was so much
indisposed, that is was necessary to call a physician. After a little
rest, we set off in the stage for St. Alban's; and on arriving, found
that Judge Turner was out of town. We had to remain a day or two before
he returned; and then he said it would be impossible for him to
accompany us. After some deliberation, it was decided that Mr. Hunt
should go to Montreal with us, and that Judge Turner should follow and
join us there as soon as his health and business would permit.
[Footnote: Mr. Hunt was recommended as a highly respectable lawyer; to
whose kindness, as well as that of Judge Turner, I feel myself under
obligations.]
We therefore crossed the lake by the ferry to Plattsburgh, where, after
some delay, we embarked in a steamboat, which took us to St. John's.
Mr. Hunt, who had not reached the ferry early enough to cross with us,
had proceeded on to ----, and there got on board the steamboat in the
night. We went on to Laprairie with little delay, but finding that no
boat was to cross the St. Lawrence at that place during the day, we had
to take another private carriage to Longeuil, whence we rowed across to
Montreal by three men, in a small boat.
I had felt quite bold and resolute when I first consented to go to
Montreal, and also during my journey: but when I stepped on shore in
the city, I thought of the different scenes I had witnessed there, and
of the risks I might run before I should leave it. We got into a
caleche, and rode along towards the hotel where we were to stop. We
passed up St. Paul's street; and, although it was dusk, I recognised
every thing I had known. We came at length to the nunnery; and then
many recollections crowded upon me. First, I saw a window from which I
had sometimes looked at some of the distant houses in that street; and
I wondered whether some of my old acquaintances were employed as
formerly. But I thought if I were once within those walls, I should be
in the cells for the remainder of my life, or perhaps be condemned to
something still more severe. I remembered the murder of St. Francis,
and the whole scene returned to me as if it had just taken place; the
appearance, language, and conduct of the persons most active in her
destruction. Those persons were now all near me, and would use all
exertions they safely might, to get me again into their power.
And certainly they had greater reason to be exasperated against me,
than against that poor helpless nun, who had only expressed a wish to
escape. [Footnote: My gloomy feelings however did not always prevail. I
had hope of obtaining evidence to prove my charges. I proposed to my
companions to be allowed to proceed that evening to execute the plan I
had formed when a journey to Montreal had first been mentioned. This
was to follow the physician into the nunnery, conceal myself under the
red calico sofa in the sitting-room, find my way into the cellar after
all was still, release the nuns from their cells, and bring them out to
confirm my testimony. I was aware that there were hazards of my not
succeeding, and that I must forfeit my life if detected--but I was
desperate; and feeling as if I could not long live in Montreal, thought
I might as well die one way as another, and that I had better die in
the performance of a good deed. I thought of attempting to bring out
Jane Ray--but that seemed quite out of the question, as an old nun is
commonly engaged in cleaning a community-room, through which I should
have to pass; and how could I hope to get into, and out of the
sleeping-room unobserved? I could not even determine that the
imprisoned nuns would follow me out--for they might be afraid to trust
me. However, I determined to try, and presuming my companions had all
along understood and approved my plan, told them I was ready to go at
once. I was chagrined and mortified more than I can express, when they
objected, and almost refused to permit me. I insisted and urged the
importance of the step--but they represented its extreme rashness. This
conduct of theirs, for a time diminished my confidence to them,
although everybody else has approved of it.]
When I found myself safely in Goodenough's hotel, in a retired room,
and began to think alone, the most gloomy apprehensions filled my mind.
I could not eat, I had no appetite, and I did not sleep all night.
Every painful scene that I ever passed through seemed to return to my
mind; and such was my agitation, I could fix my thoughts upon nothing
in particular. I had left New York when the state of my health was far
from being established; and my strength, as may be presumed, was now
much reduced by the fatigue of travelling. I shall be able to give but
a faint idea of the feelings with which I passed that night, but must
leave it to the imagination of my readers. Now once more in the
neighborhood of the Convent, and surrounded by the nuns and priests, of
whose conduct I had made the first disclosures ever made, surrounded by
thousands of persons devoted to them, and ready to proceed to any
outrage, as I feared, whenever their interference might be desired,
there was abundant reason for my uneasiness.
I now began to realize that I had some attachment to life remaining.
When I consented to visit the city, and furnish the evidence necessary
to lay open the iniquity of the Convent, I had felt, in a measure,
indifferent to life; but now, when torture and death seemed at hand, I
shrunk from it. For myself, life could not be said to be of much value.
How could I be happy with such things to reflect upon as I had passed
through? and how could I enter society with gratification? But my
infant I could not abandon, for who would care for it if its mother
died.
I was left alone in the morning by the gentlemen who had accompanied
me, as they went to take immediate measures to open the intended
investigation. Being alone I thought of my own position in every point
of view, until I became more agitated than ever. I tried to think what
persons I might safely apply to as friends; and though still undecided
what to do, I arose, thinking it might be unsafe to remain any longer
exposed, as I imagined myself, to be known and seized by my enemies.
I went from the hotel, [Footnote: It occurred to me, that I might have
been seen by some person on landing, who might recognise me if I
appeared in the streets in the same dress; and I requested one of the
female servants to lend me some of hers. I obtained a hat and shawl
from her with which I left the house. When I found myself in Notre Dame
street, the utmost indecision what to do, and the thought of my
friendless condition almost overpowered me.] hurried along, feeling as
if I were on my way to some asylum, and thinking I would first go to
the house where I had several times previously found a temporary
refuge. I did not stop to reflect that the woman was a devoted Catholic
and a friend to the Superior; but thought only of her kindness to me on
former occasions, and hastened along Notre Dame street. But I was
approaching the Seminary; and a resolution was suddenly formed to go
and ask the pardon and intercession of the Superior. Then the character
of Bishop Lartigue seemed to present an impassable obstacle; and the
disagreeable aspect and harsh voice of the man as I recalled him,
struck me with horror. I recollected him as I had known him when
engaged in scenes concealed from the eye of the world. The thought of
him made me decide not to enter the Seminary. I hurried, therefore, by
the door; and the great church being at hand, my next thought was to
enter there. I reached the steps, walked in, dipped my finger into the
holy water, crossed myself, turned to the first image I saw, which was
that of Saint Magdalen, threw myself upon my knees, and began to repeat
prayers with the utmost fervour. I am certain that I never felt a
greater desire to find relief from any of the Saints; but my agitation
hardly seemed to subside during my exercise, which continued, perhaps,
a quarter of an hour or more. I then rose from my knees, and placed
myself under the protection of St. Magdalen and St. Peter by these
words: "_Je me mets sous vôtre protection_"--(I place myself under your
protection;) and added, "_Sainte Marie, mère du bon pasteur, prie pour
moi_"--(Holy Mary, mother of the good shepherd, pray for me.)
I then resolved to call once more at the house where I had found a
retreat after, my escape from the nunnery, and proceeded along the
streets in that direction. On my way, I had to pass a shop kept by a
woman [Footnote: This was Mrs. Tarbert.] I formerly had an acquaintance
with. She happened to see me passing, and immediately said, "Maria is
that you? Come in."
I entered, and she soon proposed to me to let her go and tell my mother
that I had returned to the city. To this I objected. I went with her,
however, to the house of one of her acquaintances near by where I
remained some time, during which she went to my mother's and came with
a request from her, that I would have an interview with her, proposing
to come up and see me, saying that she had something very particular to
say to me. What this was, I could not with any certainty conjecture. I
had my suspicions that it might be something from the priests, designed
to get me back into their power, or, at least, to suppress my testimony.
I felt an extreme repugnance to seeing my mother, and in the
distressing state of apprehension and uncertainty in which I was, could
determine on nothing, except to avoid her. I therefore soon left the
house, and walked on without any particular object. The weather was
then very unpleasant, and it was raining incessantly. To this I was
very indifferent, and walked on till I had got to the suburbs, and
found myself beyond the windmills. Then I returned, and passed back
through the city, still not recognised by anybody.
I once saw one of my brothers, unless I was much mistaken, and thought
he knew me. If it was he, I am confident he avoided me, and that was my
belief at the time, as he went into a yard with the appearance of much
agitation. I continued to walk up and down most of the day, fearful of
stopping anywhere, lest I should be recognised by my enemies, or
betrayed into their power. I felt all the distress of a feeble,
terrified woman, in need of protection, and, as I thought, without a
friend in whom I could safely confide. It distressed me extremely to
think of my poor babe; and I had now been so long absent from it, as
necessarily to suffer much inconvenience.
I recollected to have been told, in the New York Hospital, that
laudanum would relieve distress both bodily and mental, by a woman who
had urged me to make a trial of it. In my despair, I resolved to make
an experiment with it, and entering an apothecary's shop asked for
some. The apothecary refused to give me any; but an old man who was
there, told me to come in, and inquired where I had been, and what was
the matter with me, seeing that I was quite wet through. I let him know
that I had an infant, and on his urging me to tell more, I told him
where my mother lived. He went out, and soon after returned accompanied
by my mother, who told me she had my child at home, and pressed me to
go to her house and see it, saying she would not insist on my entering,
but would bring it out to me.
I consented to accompany her; but on reaching the door, she began to
urge me to go in, saying I should not be known to the rest of the
family, but might stay there in perfect privacy. I was resolved not to
comply with this request, and resisted all her entreaties, though she
continued to urge me for a long time, perhaps half an hour. At length
she went in, and I walked away, in a state no less desperate than
before. Indeed, night was now approaching, the rain continued, and I
had no prospect of food, rest, or even shelter. I went on till I
reached the parade-ground, unnoticed, I believe, by anybody, except one
man, who asked where I was going, but to whom I gave no answer. I had
told my mother, before she had left me, that she might find me in the
parade-ground. There I stopped in a part of the open ground where there
was no probability of my being observed, and stood thinking of the many
distressing things which harassed me; suffering, indeed, from exposure
to wet and cold, but indifferent to them as evils of mere trifling
importance, and expecting that death would soon ease me of my present
sufferings. I had hoped that my mother would bring my babe to me there;
but as it was growing late, I gave up all expectation of seeing her.
At length she came, accompanied by Mr. Hoyt, who, as I afterward
learnt, had called on her after my leaving the hotel, and, at her
request, had intrusted my child to her care. Calling again after I had
left her house, she had informed him that she now knew where I was, and
consented to lead him to the spot. I was hardly able to speak or to
walk, in consequence of the hardships I had undergone; but being taken
to a small inn, and put under the care of several women, I was made
comfortable with a change of clothes and a warm bed. [Footnote: I
afterward learnt, that the two gentlemen who accompanied me from the
States, had been seeking me with great anxiety all day. I persisted in
not going to my mother's, and that was the reason why we applied to
strangers for a lodging. For some time it appeared doubtful whether I
should find any refuge for the night, as several small inns in the
neighbourhood proved to be full. At length, however, lodgings were
obtained for me in one, and I experienced kindness from the females of
the house, who put me into a warm bed, and by careful treatment soon
rendered me more comfortable. I thought I heard the voice of a woman,
in the course of the evening, whom I had seen about the nunnery, and
ascertained that I was not mistaken. I forgot to mention, that, while
preparing to leave this house the next day, Mrs. Tarbert came in and
spoke with me. She said, that she had just come from the
government-house, and asked, "What are all those men at your mother's
for? what is going on there?" I told her I could not tell. She said,
"Your mother wants to speak with you very much." I told her I would not
go to her house, for I feared there was some plan to get me into the
hands of the priests. The inn in which I was, is one near the
government-house, in a block owned by the Baroness de Montenac, or the
Baroness de Longeuil, her daughter. I think it must be a respectable
house, in spite of what Mrs. Tarbert says in her affidavit. Mrs.
Tarbert is the woman spoken of several times in the "Sequel," without
being named; as I did not know how to spell her name till her affidavit
came out.]