The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER l7, 1850.

pieces in pursuit; they fired at the chaussie and ex-
pedited the retreat of the waggons of the train con-
siderably ; but finding the main body south of the
road too strong, they did not continue the pursuit
for any distance, and the Holsteiners retired towards
Oiterbye in good order.
This was the close of the engagement. The Hol-
steiners, as they retired, set fire to the Danish camp,
and in two hours it was entirely destroyed. Smaller
encampments at other points were given to the
flames in the same manner, and our route south-
ward was illuminated by several conflagrations on
the hills behind us. The moon set calm and silvery,
exactly opposite to the scene of destruction. The
narrow roads were choked up by the waggons con-
veying the wounded and baggage, and the artillery,
but as we were not pressed on, no casualties occurred.
The heavy firing at Eckernforde to the east con-
tinued after nightfall; it is said it was only intended
to check the advance of the Holstein infantry on the
town, whilst the Danish troops were embarked in
their ships and boats and taken across the bay, but
I cannot answer positively for what I did not see.
A. mill behind the town was set on fire, and burned
for many hours. It is reported this morning that
Eckernforde is in possession of the Holsteiners, but
it is a question if they can hold it, as they are always
open to an attack from the water.
The artillery was brought back to Damendorf, and
the infantry to other points south of it, but still in ad-
vance of their former positions. The men bivouaced
by their watch fires, and appeared in nowise dis-
couraged by the result of the day's proceedings, for
they were singing and cheering merrily as the wag-
gons laden with their wounded comrades crawled
along the road by the side of their posts towards
Ilendsburg.
Of the loss of the Holsteiners during the day I
can give no estimate, and many other details must
be supplied from the future official reports. I saw
only the march and attack on the main point,
Missunde and the bridge over the Schlei. To the
left, against the town of Schleswig, nothing was
attempted. Whether any attack will be done to-day
is uncertain. The Holstein artillery has propor-
tionately suffered the most. Two or three guns were
dismounted but none lost. The chances are against
any extensive movement to-day. The result of the
affair may be briefly stated : if the object was to force
the bridge of Missunde, it was decidedly defeated,
as no impression was made on the works, and the
Danes were able at the close of the day to become
the assailants; if it was a mere reconnaissance, it

only proved that the Danes are very strongly in-
trenched, which was pretty well known before. On
the other hand the Danes appear to have declined
defending Eckernforde at all on the land side, and
assuming to-day's report to be correct, it is in the
hands of the Holsteiners. The line of opera-
tions from point to point was extensive, and if
I double the number of wounded I saw myself from
the main point of attack alone, 100 men killed and
disabled may cover the loss of the Holsteiners, but it
is only a rough guess.
Fouit O'CLOCK P.M.—There has been no further
movement this morning. The Holstein troops have
returned to their former position at Duvenstedt.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
OLD COURT.

William Saunders surrendered to take his trial
upon the charge of stealing a purse, containing 11
sovereigns, 8 half-sovereigns, and a foreign gold coin,
the property of William Henry Aldis.
Mr. Cockle prosecuted, and Mr. Ballantine de-
fended the prisoner.
The prosecutor deposed that he was an eating-
house-keeper, carrying on business in Fore street,
Cripplegate, and in February last the prisoner and a
female came to his shop and had some refreshment,
and his waiter subsequently told him that the pri-
soner wanted to speak to him. He shortly after-
wards had some conversation with the prisoner, who
told him that he knew an old gentleman who wanted
to take a business of some description for his nephew,
who was entitled to a fortune of 2,0001., and he asked
him if he would be inclined to dispose of his busi-
ness. Witness told him that he should have no ob-
jection to do so if he could get money enough for it,
and he said he should require 3501. The prisoner
said that amount would be no object, and he then
arranged that he should bring " the old gentle-
man " the next day to have some further con-
versation upon the subject of taking the
business. Accordingly, on the following day, the
prisoner came again, accompanied by a man named
Anderson (who was convicted at a former session),
and they adjourned to a neighbouring public-house,
where Anderson made the most minute inquiries re-
specting the business, and in the course of the conver-
sation the prisoner said, that if any arrangement was
concluded for taking it he should expect to have 101.
for introducing the "old gentleman." Anderson also
said that his nephew, for whom he wanted the busi-
ness, resided at Dover, and that he was about to be
married, and upon this witness suggested that the
nephew should come up to town and see the nature of
the business, and whether he would like it or not ;
but Anderson in reply said that it all rested with him
and his aunt. Another appointment was then made
for the following Monday, at the Albion public-house,
in the Blackfriars-road, and after he had been there
a short time the prisoner came in, and he produced a
letter from the pretended nephew at Dover, and read
from it to the following effect :
" Dear Uncle,—l am pleased that you have taken
the business for me. I should not like any business
so well as that of an eating-house. I have mentioned
the matter to my intended, Miss Watson, and she is
quite agreeable also."
The prisoner then said that the nephew could not get
up to town that day, but it was all right ; and shortly
afterwards Anderson came in, and he said that since
he had received the letter from his nephew, his niece
had come up for the purpose of buying the wedding
dress, and his nephew would be up by the seven
o'clock train. Anderson then said he could not stop
any longer at that time, but he would meet him at
the same place at seven o'clock in the evening. At
that time he saw Anderson again, and they conversed
together upon the subject of the business for about
half an hour, when Saunders and another man joined
them, and in a short time a man came in, and a sixth
man entered the room at the same time and sat down
by him. The• first man then began to talk a parcel
of nonsense, and eventually challenged any one in the
room to throw a weigat with him for a wager, and
Saunders said he would do so, and during the
conversation the man pulled from his pocket
what appeared to be a number of sovereigns,
and be said he had been selling some
cows for his mother. They all then went to a beer-
shop in Webber-row, where Saunders and the
drunken man played at skittles, and the former ap-
peared to win a considerable sum of money. Wben
this had been going on some time, Saunders asked
him to play with him, observing that he might as well
have 51. of his money as not. 'Witness refused to
play, and told the prisoner that if he played with any
one, it should be a sober man who knew what he was
about. The play continued for some time, and at
length all the parties began " larking," and got round
him, and trod on his toes, and pushed him, and he saw
his purse in the prisoner's hand, and immediately
afterwards he and Anderson, and two of the other men
left the skittle-ground, and the sixth man stood in
front of him, and hindered him from following them,
and told him he would take them where he could find
them, and he accompanied him to two or three public-
houses in the Blackfriars-road for that purpose. He
subsequently went to the skittle-ground, accompanied
by a police sergeant, and upon making -a search he
found his purse, emptied of its contents, tucked in
behind some boards.

The prosecutor was cross-examined at some length
by Mr. BALLANTINE, and it appeared that the pri-
soner had undergone two examinations before the
magistrates upon the charge, and that he was even-
tually set at liberty, and a bill was then preferred
against him, jointly with Anderson, before the grand
jury. It also appeared that the prisoner had given
notice to the prosecutor of his intention to appear and
take his trial, and that when he was made aware in
the first instance that the prosecutor charged him with
being concerned in the robbery, he went to his house,
accompanied by a policeman, and asked him how he
dared to make such a charge against him, and that, if
there was any foundation for it, he had better give
him into custody.
Mr. BALLANTINE made an ingenious defence for
the prisoner, and contended that there was not suffi-
cient evidence to connect him with the robbery, and
he called three or four witnesses, who gave him a
good character, and represented that he got his living
in a respectable manner.

The COMMON SERGEANT summed up, and the jury,
after some considerable deliberation, said they thought
there was a good deal of suspicion in the case; but, as
there appeared to be some doubt, they would give the
prisoner the benefit of it, and they then returned a
verdict of Not Guilty.

NEW COURT.
(Before Mr. RUSSELL GURNEY.)
William Derbyshire, 19, upholsterer, and George
Derbyshire, 23, upholsterer, pleaded guilty to an in-
dictment for obtaining goods by false pretences from
several tradesmen, amounting in value to above 1001.
Mr. Clarkson appeared for the prisoners.
It appeared that the prisoners, who had a shop at
Hammersmith, in May last, went to a Mr. Bradbeer,
of the Curtain-road, and a Mr. Cutbill, of Holywell-
street, Shoreditch, and representing that they had
some gentlemen's houses to furnish, obtained some
tables, chairs, and other articles of furniture to a
large amount, for which they gave bills, and no
sooner had they been obtained than they were sent
to an auction-room, and the prisoners left the shop.
Mr. CLARKSON, on behalf' of the prisoners, urged
in mitigation of sentence the prisoners' previous good
character and their distressed circumstances when the
offence was committed.

Mr. GURNEY said the case was a very proper one
to prosecute, but as the prisoners had pleaded guilty,
and had already been two months in prison, the sen-
tence would be comparatively slight. They were
then sentenced to four months' i,nprisonynent.
The cases tried during the day were quite devoid
of interest.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
A cabman, named John Smith, was brought before
Alderman Gibbs, charged with having refused to
convey Mr. Nicholls, of Bethlehem Hospital, under
the following circumstances.
The defendant had not paid the slightest attention
to two summonses which had been served upon him,
calling upon him to answer the complaint, and was
therefore taken into custody for the offence.
Mr. Nicholls said—On Tuesday last I went to the
cab-stand in Lower Thames-street, upon landing from
a steam-vessel, and getting into a disengaged cab, of
which the defendant was •the driver, desired him to
drive me to Bethlehem Hospital. " What are you
going to give me for carrying you ?" said he to me.
" That you shall know," said I, " when you have
arrived at your destination." He then said if I did
not bargain to give him half-a-crown he would not
take me, as he had been all day without a job. The fare
is not more than ls., or at most Is. 41. I expostulated
with him, but it was useless. He refused positively
to drive me for less than that sum, and I have no
doubt would have insisted upon receiving the half-
Brown at once, if I had yielded to the extortion. I
got out, of course, and insisted upon seeing his badge,
and I asked him three times to let me look at it,
before he opened the lower part of his waistcoat to
show it to me.
Alderman GlBBS—These are two serious charges
rgainst you, defendant. What have you to say ?
Defendant—ln the first place as to my badge, I.
always wear it as I do now, on the third button, so
that everybody as likes may look at it. So he's wrong
there. Then, as to my refusing to take him, there
was a gentleman called four of us cabs at one moment,
and in went the complainant into mine. So I told
the gentleman as civil as could be that I was hired,
and I begged of him to come out, as I bad been with-
out a job all day, and I expected to get better paid by
the other party. Well, he did get out, and then he
toJk the number of my cab.
justMr . Nicholls
been
stated
had
thatbeen notutt e
roen w
de
upon
of what
nd
the
occasion,ad
and that if such an appeal had been made to him, it
would have undoubtedly succeeded, provided there
had been any foundation for it.
Alderman GIBBS—This is an increasing evil. The
moment a cabman finds that he has but a short way
to go he refuses to stir, because his chance of impos-
ing upon his customeris not so tempting as a long
fare would present. The defendant in treating my
summons with contempt meant to weary out the gen-
tleman whom he refuse I to carry, and he concealed
his badge with the view of adding to the difficulty of
arriving at a satisfactory issue. I must try what I
can do to prevent such outrageous conduct, and fine
the defendant 4Q5.,, or one month's imprisonment in
Bridewell.
Mr, Joseph Paragwagua, a foreigner, was brought

up in the custody of a policeman, charged with having
thrashed the waiter of a public-house in one of the
courts in Fenchurch-street, with a stick, in a very
via :Lit manner.

The defendant, it appeared, paid no regard to a
large lettered notice on the wall, giving a caution to
passers by, when the waiter walked up to him,
touched him on the shoulder, and informed him
civilly of his mistake. The rage cf the defendant
knew no bounds. He raised his stick, and began to
lay it with all his might upon the shoulder of the
waiter, who actually danced with pain, until he got
hold of the weapon with which he had been punished.
A policeman then made his appearance, and, at the
request of the waiter, submitted the case to the arbi-
tration of the magistrate.

The defendant said he had exercised very particular
judgment and delicacy in the matter. What then
must, he asked, his astonishment be when he felt a
sharp blow across the shoulders, and found that the
person who inflicted it was ready to give him another,
and perhaps to follow it'up by robbing him. He ad-
mitted that, labouring under the impression that he
was himself the aggrieved party, he had raised his
stick to retaliate, and he felt the greatest desire for
the interference of the policeman and the magistrate.
Alderman Ginus fined him 205., and required him
to find securities to keep the peace for six months.
Mr. Paragwagua expressed, in paying the penalty,
his indignation at the treatment be had received,
and said it was his intention to seek satisfaction else-
where.

GUILDHALL.
Thomas Wilkins, No. 117 of the D division of me-
tropolitan police, was brought up in the custody of
Inspector Colin Grant, and placed at the bar before
Sir George Carroll, charged with defrauding the
treasurer of Middlesex of 3s. 6d., and also with de-
' frauding Mrs. Collins of a similar amount.
The circumstances of the case were briefly stated as
follows :—The prosecutrix was in attendance at the
last sessions of the Old Bailey, on the trial of Wil-
liam Collins, her husband, who was convicted of having
violently assaulted her, and was sentenced to ten
years' transportation. The prisoner was the officer
engaged in the case, and had the paying of the ex-
penses to the witnesses for the time they had been in
attendance. He received the amount of 1/. ls., to be
Paid to the prosecutrix, and instead of applying it to
that purpose, be paid the prosecutrix only 143., and
appropriated the remainder to his own use.
Mr. Parry appeared on behalf of the prisoner.
The following was the additional evidence :
Elizabeth Collins, of 8, Praed-street, Paddington,
said she was the wife of Wm. Collins, who was trans-
ported for assaulting her. Prisoner was present at
the trial ;he had the getting-up of the case. She did
not sign any paper for money.
Cross-examined by Mr. Parry—She never said " she
would have this blackguard of a policeman trans-
ported for transporting her husband. She never said
prisoner was paid 48.6 d. per day for transporting her
husband, while she was only paid as. 6d. She went
to see her husband in Newgate the day after the trial,
when he told her that they had not paid her enough
for her attendance. He told her she was entitled to
more than 14a. for five days. She called the same
day at the office of the Clerk of the Arraigns, and was
informed that she had been allowed 11. ls., that being
the amount for six days' attendance, instead of five.
Her brother paid her the money. Prisoner never
asked her to sign the witnesses' paper. Prisoner paid
the money in her presence, but not to her; she had
been at the "Pitt's Head" all the afternoon, while
prisoner was at the "Rose."
Maria Jenkins was present at the trial. She went
to the "Rose" to look after Mrs. Collins's money,
when prisoner asked her if she could write her name
to a receipt, and at the same time inquired where
Mrs. Collins was to be found. Witness signed a
paper by putting her cross to it, but prisoner gave her
no money. He said he had 14s. for Mrs. Collins,
but he did not pay witness 17s. 6d.
George Jenkins, the husband of the last witness,
said he was also present at the trial. The expenses
were allowed. He received 14s. from the prisoner as
the prosecutrix's share. Prisoner said the judge
would not allow her any more. The officer, Dobell,
147, was present at the time prisoner counted the
money on to the counter. Could not say that Mrs.
Collins gave his wife any authority to receive the
money for her.
Anne Collins heard prisoner asking for Mrs. Col-
lins, and he said that he hal 14s. for her. She also
heard him ask Maria Jenkins if she could sign a re-
ceipt for him, but she did not see her do it, as she left
the house at that moment.
Inspector Grant said prisoner told him that the
judge had allowed him a day's expenses, in consider-
ation of the trouble he had had in getting up the evi-
dence, and said he was to deduct it from Mrs. Col-
lins's allowance. He called on Mr. Itead at the of-
fice of the Clerk of the Arraigns, to ascertain what
dependence could be placed in prisoner's statement.
Mr. Read informed him that in consequence of some
representation made by the prisoner, he had been in-
duced to allow the prosecutrix for six days, instead of
five, and that no order of any kind was made by the
judge relative to anything being allowed to the pri-

soner,

Samuel Dobell, 147 of the D division, said it was
generally the custom to depute the policemen en-
gaged in all cases at the Old Baily to pay the wit-
nesses. He was with prisoner at the time he got the
money for the order for the expenses from the land-
lord of the Rose. It was too late to go the treasurer
of Middlesex. He (witness) signed the bill of ex-.
penses, but did not see the amount allowed to Mrs.
Collins, as prisoner purposely concealed that from
him by doubling the paper up, so as to leave only a
small space for his name. He saw fourteen shillings
paid to Jenkins for Mrs. Collins. He was sure it was
no more.
James Hillier, of the Rose, said he cashed the or-
der for the prisoner. He did it more to oblige the
treasurer of Middlesex, who requested he would do
so as a favour whenever he was absent, so as not to
give witnesses the trouble to come up again for their
money. He got no commission, neither did he derive
any benefit whatever from the transaction.
Mr. Parry here said he would reserve his defence,
without prejudicing the prisoner's case, as he intended
to take the alderman's opinion upon a point of law.
He submitted that there was nothing of a criminal
nature in the charge brought against the prisoner, as
it had already been shown that there was nothing
more than merely a breach of trust. Prisoner was
not the servant of the prosecutrix nor of the treasurer
of Middlesex, therefore the charge of embezzlement
could not even be sustained for an instant. He would
not enter upon his defence now, as he was fully con-
vinced that the alderman, after duly considering the
charge, and weighing the evidence well in his own
mind, would arrive at the same conclusion that he had
on reading his instructions, viz., that there was not,
according to the law, which was certainly in a very
defective state in that particular, the slightest shadow
of criminality in the offence prisoner at present stood
charged with.
Sir GEORGE CARROLL said that the case was one that
required some consideration, and he would, therefore,
remand the prisoner for a week for that purpose, and
in the meantime he would take bail for the prisoner's
appearance, in one surety of 801., and himself in his
own recognisance of 401.

John Webb, a respectable looking young man, was
charged with fraudulently obtaining a quantity of
cigars and tobacco of various tobacconists about Lon-
don. This practice has been carried so far by the
prisoner and others, that every shopkeeper in sending
their errand-boys out with goods find it absolutely
necessary to caution them not to let the goods go out
of their possession without the money, unless they de-
liver them over the counter of any respectable house.
Daniel Davis, of 297, Oxford-street, said the pri-
soner came to him one day last week, and ordered
two bundles of cigars, which came to 18s., to be sent
to Mrs. Dowdesdale, Cavendish-street, Cavendish•
square. He sent his boy with the cigars and a bill ;
prisoner met him on the way, and asked him for the
bill, and requested the boy to wait for him while he
stepped back to his master's shop. In a few minutes
he rejoined the boy, and said, " It's all right ;
been to your shop and paid for them, so you can give
me the cigars and go back." As the boy was return-
ing, prisoner said he wanted some pick wicks.
Win. Stephen Adams, of 44, Haymarket, said, on
the 6th of September prisoner called on him and
asked the price of some cigars similar to one he pro-
duced. Witness told him they were Os. per pound.
Prisoner said they were too high. He went away and
came back in a few minutes, and told witness to put
him up two pounds of them for Mr. Wood, of Co-
ventry-street. He met the boy going to deliver them,
and asked for the bill, which he took away, and on
coming back told the boy it was paid, and that he was
to give him the cigars. He gave the boy two pick-
wicks to bring back, telling him that he wanted some
of the same sort.

James Shaw, in the employ of Mr. Clark, of No. 5,
Drury-lane, said prisoner came into the shop on Wed-
nesday last, and ordered 61bs. of tobacco to be sent to
Mr. Cooper's, at the Old Crown, in Oxford-street.
He took the tobacco out with him, but shortly after
met the prisoner and took away the bill, which be soon
brought back, and said it was paid. Prisoner then
took the tobacco, and told witness to bring him 21bs.
of cheroots.

Charles Woodward, of No. 21, Tower-street, St.
Martin's-lane, said that early in August prisoner
called and said he wanted 2ilbs. of Bengal cheroots,
which were to be sent to the Boar's Head, High
Holborn. Prisoner met him taking them out, and
asked to see the bill. Ile then tools the cigars and
gave witness a sovereign, which was the exact amount
of the bill; but on giving it to his master he disco-
vered that it was a counterfeit sovereign.
There were several other cases of a similar nature
against the prisoner, but in which he was not quite
so successful, as he happened to meet the boy in one
instance,
and in another a man was sent with the
goods.

Sir GEo. CARROLL said all the offences were com-
mitted out of the City, the case did not -come within
his jurisdiction, and he would therefore remand it,
that it may be taken to Bow.street, that being the
1 proper district.
__ _

CLERKENWELL.
Mr. Andrew Scott, paper manufacturer, residing at
29, Hemmingford-terrace, Islington, was placed at
the bar before Mr. C)mbe, charged with having
violated Mary Ann Limber, aged 24, servant to Mr.
Bunney, 30, Hemmingford-terrace.
Mr. John Wakeling attended on the part of the
prisoner.

A surgeon's certificate was produced, stating that
the prosecutrix was unable to attend, in consequence
of injuries she bad received.
The prisoner, it appeared, occupied apartments in
the house 29, Hemmingford-terrace, and had been in
the habit of getting over the garden wall and convers-
ing with her. On Friday week, the 6th inst., whilst
she was in the kitchen of her master's house, the pri-
soner got over the wall, entered the kitchen, there
being no one in the house but herself, and although
she made a resistance and screamed, he accomplished
his purpose. She subsequently became afflicted with
a foul disease, when she communicated to her mother
what had happened, and the prisoner was apprehended
by Collins, 59 N division.
Mr. Wakeling said his client was highly respect-
able, and denied the charge.
A medical man said that the prosecutrix would not
be able to attend in less than a week to give her
evidence.

Mr. COMBS ordered the prisoner to put in his own
recognizance to appear on Tuesday week, to answer
the charge, which being acceded to he was liberated.
LAMBETH.
The benefits likely to be derivable to the public,
and they were considerable, by the transfer of the
cab regulations from the Hackney Coach-office to, the
Commissioners of Police, are likely to be much im-
peded by a " dodge" hit upon by some artful cabbee,
, unless some active measures are adopted by the po-
lice to put it down. In several case, when the drivers
of cabs have recently been summoned to this court
1 for irregularities and a violation of the Act
of Parliament, the defendants produced the most
satisfactory evidence that their cabs had been
in a totally different place at the time of
the alleged offence to that described by the
witnesses, and so conclusive was the defence that the
magistrate felt bound to discharge. The constable
and other witnesses called to prove the case spoke
with perfect certainty as to the deliberation and accu-
racy with which they took down the number from the
vehicle, yet the testimony brought against them was
so satisfactory that a conviction was altogether out of
the question, and for some time the matter continued
to perplex even the magistrates themselves. The
affair is, however, now satisfactorily accounted for.
Some ingenious rascal determined, as before stated, to
1 neutralise the good intended by the recent Act of
Parliament, has hit upon a mode of " bishoping," as
it is called, the numbers, and thus, without very mi-
nute inspection indeed, evade the evil deeds. The
mode by which this ingenious process is applied is by
plugging up the numbers on their plates with a black
adhesive composition, and, by obliterating the first or
last, or transforming one of the centre figures, totally
change the number. The consequence is, that the
person whose number happens to agree with that
to which the "bishoping" alters that of the delinquent
is the person summoned, while the really guilty party
escapes scot free. The police are on the alert to detect
the guilty parties, and it will require some alteration
in the present system, or some punishment, to put a
stop to it.

EXECUTION OF PROFESSOR
WEBSTER. AT BOSTON.
(From the New York Tribune of the 3d inst.)
Professor Webster has this morning paid the last
debt of nature, and the law is now satisfied. Yester-
day afternoon his amiable wife and three intelligent
daughters visited him in his cell. They were with
him the usual time—from two o'clock until about
half-past six. They appeared the same as usual.
Singular as it may appear, we were assured by the
officers of the prison that they parted with that hus-
band and father ignorant of the fact that they would
never see him again alive ! We saw them as they
passed out of the prison, and we are as fully satisfied
that such was the case as we are of anything within
the compass of human judgment. Immediately after
they left a guard was placed in his cell, and continued
with him until this morning.
Professor Webster was notified some days since by
Dr. Putnam that it was customary in such cases to
place a guard over the prisoner the night before ex-
ecution. He made no objection, but asked as a favour
if they did so, that he might have the privilege of
selecting Mr. J. C. Leighton, clerk of the gaol, and
Constable Edward J. Jones, the officer who had
charge of him during his trial. The request was
granted, and last night, immediately after his family
parted with him in his cell, the above-named officers
entered upon the duty named, and remained
with him until morning. He was perfectly free in
conversation, confining himself wholly to moral and
religious subjects. He read the Bible and other
books with a great degree of earnestness and since-
rity. He conversed and read until twelve o'clock,
when he laid down upon his cot, spread upon an iron
bedstead, and slept until half-past four this morning,
apparently as sound and restful as under ordinary
circumstances. He assured Mr. Leighton that his
family parted with him last evening, at half-past six,
entirely ignorant that he was so soon to suffer death.
He frequently spoke of his family, and seemed to be
quite happy to know that they were all religiously in-
clined. He briefly spoke of his execution, and re-
peated the passages of Scripture, " If it be possible let
this cup pass from me, yet, not my will, but Thine, 0
Lord, be done."
On arousing from his slumbers, he engaged in de-
votional exercises by prayer and reading of the Scrip-
tures. He was as calm as the sunny and almost
breezeless morning.
As early as half-past five, Mr. Luther Dunbar,
with a posse of some six or eight men began the
work of erecting the scaffold. It was located between
the two prisons, near the centre of the yard. It was
the same instrument upon which Washington Goode,
the coloured man, was executed, in May, 1849. It
was then new, and consists of a platform of about
fifteen feet square, raised a little higher than one's
head, and a single beam over it as much higher. In
the centre of the platform was a trapdoor, surrounded
with a raised joist frame. A rope was run through
two holes in the beam, and fastened on the post. The
noose was suspended over the trap, which was so ad-
justed that the executioner might let it fall by simply
placing his foot upon a spring fixed in the floor imme-
diately in front of the victim. At a quarter to eight
o'clock the machine of death was fully completed, and
in that direction the deathly notes of preparation
ceased.
The scenes around the gaol, upon the tops of the
private dwellings, were most revolting. From the
windows and tops of about thirty houses on Lowell,
Causeway, and Leverett streets, the horrid spectacle
was witnessed by men, women, and children.
On the top of house No. 8, Lowell-street, planks
were arranged to accommodate about 100 persons.
The windows of all the other houses north, except
Mr. Andrews's, the gaoler, 'Mr. Lovejoy's, and two
others, were filled principally with women.
The following is from the Bee Extra:—
" We noticed that the top of Mr. Noah,Wyeth's
house, 51, Leverett-street, was lined by men and
some few women. 'We passed round to the front
doer, and found it guarded by a police-officer. One
man said, I will give a dollar to go up if I can see
the execution.' The officer opened his blind door and
let him pass in. From his appearance, we should
judge the man who so foolishly parted with his
money, for we heard it demanded of him, was from
the country. To be more Certain that Mr. Wyeth
was speculating on views of a man-killing, we stepped
inside the door and asked him what he would charge
us to go on the top of his house and see the execu-
tion. He came towards us with his hand full of
bank bills, and said, One dollar, sir.' We stepped
back and made this record, which is only a part of
the proceedings."
We learn that one of the houses closed was broken
into by the mob, so great was their anxiety to view
the slaughter. They did greatdamage to the furniture.
While in the house it was surrounded with a posse
of police, who denied any of the persons the privilege
of corning out. How the matter will end we can-
not say.
The witnesses and officers began to gather about
seven o'clock, and continued to collect till about nine.
There were about 125 spectators admitted to the
gaol-yard by passes from the sheriff; besides the offi-
cers in attendance.
The whole number of constables and police-officers
on duty was 125 ; 25 constables and 25 police-officers
were stationed at several points on the inside, and 75
were on the ground outside the prison.
The Rev. Dr. Putnam arrived at the gaol about
half-past seven o'clock, and immediately proceeded
to the prisoner's cell, varere devotional exercises
were held.
Dr. 'Webster was in the further corner cell on
the right, on the lower floor of the south-eastern
building.
At half-past nine o'clock Sheriff Eveleth sum-
moned to the rear office of the gaol those gentlemen
who he had requested to be present as witnesses, and
there read to them the order of what was to fol-
low, together with the duties devolving upon his se-
veral deputies.
The Sheriff stated to the gentlemen present that
they had assembled by invitation from him as lawful
witnesses of the execution of John White Webster,
for the crime of murder, for which he had been con-
victed and sentenced. He detailed to them the order
in which the proceedings would take place, and ex-
pressed his hope that the utmost quiet and good order
would be maintained, s consistent with the solemnity

of the occasion. He hoped that he should not hear
any loud talking, not a voice during the progress of
the proceedings. 4
From the gaol-office, the sheriff, supported by DC-
putiQ,; Rugg and Freeman, proceeded to the prisoner's
cell, followed by the witnesses and other deputies,
where an impressive and eloquent prayer was offered
by the Rev. Dr. Putnam, he being the only officiaticg
clergyman present. No other services were held.
The prisoner, during prayer, was in his cell in a
kneeling position.
After prayer we had an opportunity to see Pro-
fessor Webster in his cell. We had not looked upon
him since the day he was sentenced. He was greatly
altered for the better. We never saw a more healthy
looking man than he appeared to be. His countenance
was much more pleasant than when he was upon his
trial.

Shortly after, at 20 minutes past 9 o'clock, High
Sheriff Eveleth, attended by Deputies Coburn, Free-
man, and Rugg, Mr. Andrews, the gaoler, Mr. Holmes,
the turnkey, and the prisoner, accompanied by Dr.
Putnam, came out and ascended the platform of the
scaffold, the prisoner taking his position upon the drop.
Dr. Putnam immediately entered into earnest con-
versation with Professor Webster, and continued to
do so through the reading of the governor's warrant
by the sheriff, and until gaoler Andrews stepped
forward to pinion the legs of the prisoner, when the
Doctor shook the Rev. Dr. Putnam affectionately by
the hand, bade him a final earthly farewell, expressing
at the same time the hope that they should meet again
in heaven.

The prisoner was dressed in a black suit, apparently
the same clothes that he wore during his trial.
Deputy• Sheriffs Rugg and Freeman adjusted the
rope at 25 minutes to 10 o'clock.
Before the cap was drawn over his eyes he shook
hands with the gaoler Andrews, Mr. Holmes, and last
with the sheriff, and thanked them for their kind treat-
ment of him.

Sheriff Eveleth then said—" In the name of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and in accordance
with the warrant of the Chief Executive, I now, be-
fore these witnesses, proceed to execute the sentence
of the law upon John W. Webster, convicted at the
March term of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the
murder of Dr. George Parkman."
This said, the sheriff placed his foot upon the,•fatal
spring, and in an instant more the victim was launched
into eternity. He gave several struggles and all was
over.

After remaining some thirty minutes, Drs. Sted-
man and Clark pronounced the body lifeless, when
it was lowered into a black coffin, and conveyed back
into the same cell where, in the full vigour of man-
hood, it had but a short period before trod. It will
be delivered to the family this afternoon, and without
much ceremony be buried at Mount Auburn, in the
family vault. Thus far we have no knowledge that
there exists any other confession than the bare state-
ment which he has repeatedly made, that the law of
capital punishment was right, and that he was justly
a subject of it.

The following letter, which we find in the Boston
Transcript, was addressed by Professor Webster to
the Rev. Dr. Parkman, brother of Dr. George Park-
man. A copy of the letter was retained by Pro-
fessor Webster, and confided to a friend, with per-
mission to make such use of it as he might see fit,
after the execution

" Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 6.
" Rev. Dr. Parkman—Dear Sir,—l cannot leave
this world in the peace of mind for which I pray
without addressing you as the head of that family
which I have so deeply injured and afflicted, to make
known to you and them the bitter anguish of soul,
the sincere contrition and penitence 1 have felt at
having been the cause of the affliction under which
you and they have been called to mourn. 1 can offer
no excuse fur my wicked and fatal ebullition of pas-
sion but what you already know, nor would I attempt
to ptlEate it.
"I had never, until the two or three last interviews
with your brother, felt towards him anything but
gratitude for his many acts of kindness and friendship.
That I should have allowed the feelings excited on
those occasions to have overpowered me so as to in-
volve the life of your brother and my own temporal
and eternal welfare, I can, even now, hardly realize.
" I may not receive from you forgiveness in this
world, yet I cannot but hope and believe you will
think of me with compassion, and remember me in
your prayers to Him who will not turn away from
the humble and repentant. Had I many lives, with
what joy would I lay them all down to alleviate the
affliction I have caused ; but I can now only pray for
forgiveness for myself and for every consolation and
blessing upon every member of your family.
"In justice to those dearest to me, I beg to assure
you, and I entreat you to believe me, no one of my
family had the slightest doubt of my entire innocence
up to to the moment when the contrary was commu-
nicated to them by Dr. Putnam. That they have
your sincere pity and sympathy I feel assured.
" There is no family toward every member of which
I have always felt a greater degree of respect and re-
gard than that of which you are now the head. From
more than one I have received repeated acts of friend-
ship and kindness, for which I have ever been and
sun most truly grateful.
" Towards yourself in particular have not only my
own feelings been those of the most sincere regard
and gratitude—every individual of my family has felt
towards you that you were their pastor and friend.
Often has my wife recalled the interest you took in
her from her first becoming your parishioner, and
often has she spoken with feelings of gratitude of t►he
influence of your public ministrations, and of your
private instructions and conversations, and of your
direction of her inquiries and reading in what related
to her religious views. These she has often recalled
and neferred to as having firmly established the reli-
gious faith and trust which are now such sources of
consolation and support to her and our children, as
well as to myself.
" Nothing that has occurred has weakened these
feelings, and although those I leave behind me may
not meet you without the keenest anguish, I trust
you will exonerate them from any participation in or
knowledge of the father's sin, up to the moment I
have mentioned; and may you remember them in
year prayers to the father of the fatherless and the
widow's God.
" I beg you, my dear sir, to consider this strictly a
private letter, and by no means to give it publicity ;
at the same time I will request you to make known
to the immediate members cf your family the state of
my feelings and my contrition.
" Tnat every consolation and blessing may be
vouchsafed to yourself and to every member of your
family, is the heartfelt prayer of yours most respect
"ully, " J. W. WEBSTEN."
ZNCIDENTS OF THE EXECUTION, &C.

The Boston Journal says :
" During a great part of the day before the execu
tion the prisoner occupied himself with setting aside
little memorials for those few friends in whose cha-
ritable feelings towards him, when he was gone, he
might hope. He selected a number of his books and
wrote in them the names of several persons towards
whom he wished to express some recollection of past
obligations and favours. He seemed to take much in-
terest in this occupation.
" The announcement that the family of the late Pro-
fessor Jobn White Webster were in ignorance of the
day on which he was to suffer the extreme penalty of
the law was discredited by some persons, while those
having the best opportunity for judging were per-
fectly satisfied of its truth. As a confirmation of the
report, it may be stated, that on Thursday, after the
family bad remained in the cell four or five hours,
they were kindly informed that the hour for closing
the gaol had arrived ; whereupon Mrs. Webster put
the inquiry, Will this be your hour of closing for
the future ?' The inquiry took the gaoler somewhat
by surprise ; but, after a moment's hesitation, he an-
swered in the affirmative; and the family immedi-
ately withdrew without a suspicion that that visit was
to he their last.
" Immediately after the execution, on Friday, the
Rev. Dr. Putnam proceeded to the residence of Mrs.
Webster, and imparted to her and her afflicted chil-
dren the sad intelligence that her husband and their
father was no more. The solemn and deeply painful
scene which ensued should be veiled from the public
gaze. Rather than intrude upon that sacred ground
let us join our tears with theirs, and, by heartfelt
sympathy, seek to bind up and comfort their crushed
and bleeding hearts.
" The remains of Professor Webster were conveyed
on Friday evening to the residence of the family,
whence they will be removed to Mount Auburn, and
deposited in the family tomb of Narcissus Path.
" The funeral will take place on Sunday, in as pri-
vate a manner as possible.'
•
The Boston Bee ssys
:
"It is said that Professor Webster made no detailed
confession to go before the public. He has talked
freely on the subject of the murder with different in-
dividuals, but always with the promise from them
that they would not make anything public. The
Rev. Mr. Waterston received a very long and very
singularly written letter from the Professor before his
death, and several other clergymen received similar
letters.

" The dress of the condemned was a black frock
coat and pants. His neck was without cravat or
handkerchief. After the body had been placed in the
coffin
.his features appeared as in life, without distor-
tion, and there was nothing but the purple hue of the
flesh to show that his death had been a violent one,
and that was fast disappearing.
"It is stated that Professor Webster was never in
a better state of health than yesterday. In the morn-
ing he received his breakfast as usual from Pat leer's,
and ate quite hearty, drank two mugs of tea, smoked
a cigar, and passed the balance of his supply of cigars
to officer Jones and others in attendance.
" Before the services in his cell Dr. Webster sent
for Mr. AndrewF, the gaoler, and all the other officers
of the prison, who visited his cell. 119 then took a