Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-11-18

: he said Capt. White never hsved after the first
/ blow was struck. To assure himself that no life
remained 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 gambling house in
South Salem, and does not believe Frank ever
did. Defendant took the key from the chamber
door of the victim, and hid it under the sofa CO.
vering, that the door might not be fastened. Not
withstanding all that had passed, defendant hard
| ly expected the murder would take place.
The hrst proposition was made to George
Crowninsheld. George said he wouldn't mind
stabbng the old man on the road to his farm, or
in the street, but he would not do it in the house.
. When defendant went upon the common with
Frank to meet Dick, they waited half an hour
for him before he came. Never had but one in
tervew with Dick after the murder. An appoint
mept was made to commit the murder on Sun
dav. the Sd of April, in the street. Defendant
has had communication 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
TO know about Palmer: whether he was going to
confess. &c. Both thought 1t would be likely to
90 hard if he did. George said, that at the time
of the murder he had Palmer concealed in his
room for week. hidden from justice. in conse-
quence of some difficulty about counterfeitng or
uttering base coin. Frank several times at
tempted to dissuade the prisoner from engaging
in this crime. He represented that IL was attend
ed with great danger. and that prisoner looked
only to the bright side of the project; but Joe
answered that he had weighed the consequences
we'll. After the reading of this confession,
the letters alluded to in the former were about to
be read, when Messrs. Dexter and Gardiner OBJ
| ectcd to their introduction, because William
| Allen was not present TO indemnity them as the
same which he put into the post office, and con-
seouentlv that the government did not produce
| the bes, evidence the case admitted.
The Court decided to admit the letters, which
were as follows
May, 18th 1850.
Gentlemen Of the Committee of Vigilance:
Hearing that YOU have taken up four young men
on suspicion of being concerned in the murder
Of Mr. White. think it high time 10 inform YOU
| that Stephen White came To me one night and
told meif would rem0ce the old gentleman he
would 1--WE me five thousand dollars; he SAID he
was afraid he would alter his will if he lived any
longer | told him | would do it, bur | was
afeaid 10 90 into the house, he said he'd 20
with me. that he would try to get ,ato the house
~ the evening and open the window, would then
20 home and go To bed and meet ne agala about
II. found him, and we both went int" his
chamber. struck him on The head with Il he2-
w piece of lead and then stabbed hlm with dirk {:
| he made the finishing stroke with another. He
promised TO send me the money next evening
aud has not sent il vet, which is the reason that
| mention this. Yours. &c GRANT.
This letter was directed on the outside 20 the
- Hon. Gideon Barstow. Salem. aud pal INTO
the Post Office On Sunday evening. May 10th
1880.
| LYNN, Nav -. 1850.
Mr.. White will send the $1,000 or a part Of it
before tomorrow night. suffer The painful con-
sequences. n. CLAYTON 4ih.
| This letter was directed on the outside to
the :. Hon. Stephen White, Salem, Mass " and
put into the Post Office i'll Salem, on Sunday
evening, MAY ION.
Mr.. Colman was then called up to identity
the club. which he had found under the steps
of the Howard street Church. on the goth May.
at one o'clock. in company with the Hon. Gid
con Barstow and Stephen {. Philips.
After the reading. the Rev. Mr. Cotman and
Gideon Barstow Esq. eX ,mined as to the
! circumstances under which the confessions were
made and written. The Attorney General then
stated that the testimony on the part OF the pros
eCuton was closed.
The Counsel for the prisoner then stated that
the ADMISSION Ol the concession Ill tNiuchIVs ANU
the import and bearing of the disclosures ~ 1t,
then for the first time presented TO their consider
alton. gave a new aspect. and thev therefore re-
ouested an adjournment. I'LL they should nave
time to advise. The Court replied. that, pressed
as thew were for time, they could not grant the
request.
Mr.. Gardiner then opened the prisoners de-
fence. and in an argument of distinguished aDlilty
and force. exp,ainrdfht ground, Oi defence, and
the principles of law on which it rested The
chef srolnd of defence seems 10 be that Frank
was not guilty as principal. and Of course that
no accessory can We; be put on trial.
Mr.. Gardiner concluded Ia the afternoon. when
several witnesses were examined IN the part OF
the defendant. to prove the circumstances under
which John Francis Knapp was III Brown-strce'
on the nigh, of the murder. Mr.. Dexter then
concluded the defence, in an argument OF great
power and eloquence.
From ne transcript Gf Friday ers"i"g.
Mr.. Webster closed hi, argument tor the gov
emmcnt at IL O'Clock this day. IN perora'ion I"
,nfnr nsf "a ~ a