Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-11-24

IN iaiI. "a peesenes e tbs prisoner. /
AMI si<ned b ~, Vas then, read. u
: ~ msdo a. ~ 9lst sf May. two
davs sftae In seuogs end vas ~ reply
20 auessiens sAaeoosed 10 him.
Second Cvnfseeiep. --Ous afternoon
in January. xhen Ne vas visiting ut the
house Of Captain Whitr. he went up
into HE chamber, opened the iron
chest whers he knew IL was kept, and
took out the will. lie found that bat
$4,000 vas there beqseathed 10 his
msther-in Law, CCspt. w. 5 niece and
observed names Of witnesses, &c. AZ.
ter examining the will, he replaced II
a. nearly as possible ia is former po-
sition. Il was about . fortnight after
this, that ne bought some Prsssie Acid
and unsueptum. because his brother
in-iaw had told him they were good 10
Kill canker worms. lie had no other
intention in perchasing them, and they
Gre never used at all. u. Crownin
shield. jr. said that when he went into
the house 10 commit the murder, he
carried no light With him. The plank
with which lie climbed into the back
indow. he found in the yard. lie
was not moro than ten minutes IN the
house, and left IL at half past ten o.
clock. Nothing occurred there 10 a
larm hin, or hasten his departure. He
vas alone. Next morning he melted
his dirk at the factory in Daavers.-I
lie said Capt. White never moved at
ter the first blow was struck. To as
sure himself that no life remsincd in
him, he felt his pulse before he left him.
Richard carried the dirk in his bosom.
the club in his sleeve.
Defendant never visited the gamb
ling house in South Salem, and does
not believe Frank ever did. Defend
ant took the key from the chamber
door Of the victim, and hid it under
the sofa covering, that the door might
not be fastened. Notwithstanding all
that had passed, defendant hardly ex-
pected the murder would take place.
The first proposition was made TO
George Crowninshieid. George said
he wouldn't mind stabbing the old ,nan
on the road to his farm, or in the street,
but he would not do il in the house.
When defendant went upon the COM
mon with Frank to meet Dick, they
waited half an hour for him before he
came. Never had but one interview
with Dick after the murder. An ap-
pointment was made 10 commit the
murder on Sunday the Sd Of April, in
the street. Defendant has had com.
munication both with Richard and
George, since he has been in prison,
about the murder. Correspondence
was carried on through crevice in the
ceiling. They were anxious 10 know
about Palmer: whether he was going
to confess, SC. Both thought il would
be likely TO go hard if he did. George
had Palmer concealed in his room for
a week. hidden from justice. in conse
quence Of some difficulty about coun-
terfeitipg or uttcring base coin. Frank
several times attempted TO 'dissuade
the prisoner from engaging in this
crime. lie represented that it was at
tended with great danger, and that pri-
soner looked only TO the bright side Of
the project; but Joe answered that lac
hail weighed the consequences well.
I After the reading Of this confession,
the letters alluded TO in the foimcr
were read. The defence Vas conciu-
ded by Mr.. Gardiner and MIR. Dexter
with great ability aud eloquence.
From tn Boston n iyr.script Of Nov. ~.
Mr.. Webster closed his argument
for the government at 10 o'clock this
day, in n pernration Of surprising pa
thos. We know not an instance, when
leIoqucnce has been more pow erfui.-
The thought. language, and manner,
equally combined 10 produce the high
est effect upon the human sympathies.
J Knapp has been calm and collected
throughout, not like an ebdurate man,
but like one who had come 10 the con.
clusion that he had no hope, and could
not be affected by the chance Of the
game. because the result was clearly
foreknown. lie displays neither hard.
hcsrtedness nor imbcc,lity, but q sim.
pie quictness Of feeling and demcanor.
/ The Judge proceeded 20 charge the
Jury as soon es Mr.. Webster closed.
POSTSCRIPT.
! The Boston Evening Transcript Of
Nov. Is, says: 1--WE learn from one
Of the stage drivers, confirmed by yer.
bal accounts given by passengers, that
the Jury came into court at half past
nine with verdict Of GrILTY against
JosErH J. KNAPr, but we DO not learn
whether he was Immediately sentenced
or when he is TO be.
j The Transcript also gives The com.
meneement Of the trial Of Crownin-
shield, as follows
! Fourth day-FridGy. Geo. Crown