I wrote a pamphlet called “Petition of the Citizens Living in Paris” in December 1788. This was a proper constitution of States-General. Because of this pamphlet, I was called to give opinions to the French Parliament.
I can’t believe it! They accepted my idea of death by mechanical decapitation! After I became the secretary to the Assemblee Constituante, on October 10, 1789 I made my proposal during a debate on capital punishment. The first step to no death penalty should be a less painful method of execution. So I decided I should propose upon a machine that would make death less painful. They accepted my proposal immediately. I believe that this would make the public feel more appreciative of their rights.
On December 1, 1789, I made an unfortunate remark during a speech to the Assembly about capital punishment. I now regret it immensely. I said: “Now, with my machine, I cut off your head in the twinkling of an eye, and you never feel it!” My statement, unfortunately became a joke, and a few days later a comic song about me and “my” machine circulated. This forever tied the machine to my name.
But I can feel it. I know that with the new mechanical device, it will be revolutionary! People will thank me for the amazing idea. Executions will be so swift that it will be over before you say anything. I don’t think anything can make it go wrong. In 1791, a law was passed in France saying everyone condemned to death in France shall be decapitated.
It was your very “prized” innovation that has taken my own life. Yes, the guillotine must have been an improvement from the old fashioned knife that took several blows to behead a man. However, it was your very invention that was used in the Reign of Terror and so many other incidents in which simple civilians have been killed. Execution has, indeed, been made easier and quicker, but more prolific because of those two qualities. My malice of having died under such a machine makes me abhor your excitement of having created such an innovation.
ReplyDelete-Georges Jacques Danton
This is a very clever device you have created Monsieur Guillotine. As the people of your country say it "chapeau" to your brilliant mind. This machine is the in my opinion, the most human way to kill someone, for it rids all the unnecessary repeated chopping involved in a traditional decapitation. Surely other from all over the world will begin to copy this style of capital punishment and implement it in their own country. Don't mind all these other fools condemning you for creating this machine making their death sentence arrive days earlier, they had what was coming to them. Just carry on with your works and come out with a better method of killing perhaps using this electricity I hear about from Benjamin Franklin and his kite.
ReplyDelete-Robert Clive
Greetings, I am one of the friends of the family of one of your victims, your ex-king Louis XVI...your invention has decapitated your own king, as well as many of your kin. Do you have no shame in creating this horrific device? Painless, perhaps, yet still! This machine is a dread to all of mankind.
ReplyDelete- Charles William Ferdinand