Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-08-11

instability of the further evidence, denied by the
council Of the accused on the ground that the rest
of Frank Knapp's declarations were affected by
the hope of clemency, or fear ofpunishment. Mr.
| Webster made very ingenius argument, but he
was overrulled by the Court, and SO MIR. Col
mans further evidence was set aside.
| "Palmer was then called up. He is appa-
rently young man, tolerably suod looking, ia .
Their small and slender, has an impeachment in
his speech. He related different converse ions,
shelving the conspiracy between the two Knapp's
and two Crowninsheld's to murder Captain
White George Crowninshield made PROPOSE
| ton to him to be concerne in the murder, and
he was offered the third Of the thousand dollars.
! He was an associate and acquaintance with
the Crowninshield's and had many interviews
with them. When he demurred to the PROPOSE.
ton, he was reminded by one of them that
he was out Of funds and that this affair would
be good opportunity to repenlsh his purse
Joe Knapp was to pay $1,000 to Crownlnshield
for the preparation OF the marder. The testimo-
ny of this witness was the most singular [ ever
heard. 1t disclosed one Of the most cool con-
spiracies to take away the life of fellow being
for hire. that ever was or could be conceived. =
| Here was an actual bargain and sale cooIly and
dispassionately followed uPby four individuals,
who at the same time endeavored to enlist recruits
! in their service. The destruction Of Captain
Whites will, by which his property was to be
conveyed after his death to Stephen White, Esq.
was the object of Joe Knapp. On that basis he
built his hopes of realizing through his wte's re-
lationship part of the property. from which he ex
pected to be reimbursed for the cost of the muir
der. To all these facts Palmer testified by re-
latiDg the propositions and declarations of the
two Crowninshiclds and Joe Knapp. In obedi-
ence to rule of law he was not allowed TO re-
late any part connected with Frank Knapp who
was on his trial. His evidence went to prove
the conspiracy.
AFTER the murder of Capt. White, Palmer
went to Boston, Providence, Lowell, and ulti
mately to Belfast, in Maine. from which was writ
ten the letter t. Joe Knapp eXtorting money, and
which led to the development Of the whole plot.
When this letter was received by old Mr.. Knapp,
he showed it to his son Joe. AT that period he
and the others we're suspected. BY singular
fatality. Joe advised ii to be handed to the COM
mittee of vigilance who then had discovered no.
thing to satisfy or aiay the indignation of the
people. Joe took the idea from this letter TO
form a plan for the purpose Of screening them
selves By throwing the murder on other persons
IN Salem. For that purpose he wrote couple OF
letters one to the committee OF vigilance, and the
other to the individual in question. threatening
to disclose. unless certain sum of money was
not sent in a certain way. lie answered the
name of the same writer which had sent the let
ter from Name. This attempt, however, failed
from the apprehension of Palmer, and the sub
sequent confession of Joe himself
In the afternoon the cross examination of Pal
mer to take place. The principal evidence
has been given, and Tomorrow suppose the pri-
soner will give his defence, and then the counsel
sum I'D on both sides"