Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-08-25

was will, Mrs. Bickiord's heirs had no
interest in his death, since his will would
take effect whether he died by the hand
of violence or not. 1t appeared now that
the only person who would be benefited
was Stephen White. 1t was now known
that there was another plan, which was to
destroy the will, and destroy the testator
80 that he could make no more wills, and
that the estate might descend to the heirs
at law. Ifthis had been known at first,
enquiry would then have taken differ
ent direction 1t was now, however,
known, that there was II conspiracy to
destroy the will, as well as the man.
Palmer states that this was the object;
that it was to be done for the benefit of
Joseph j. Knapp, that he had access to
the house, and get the key and the will,
so that the property would have descend
cd to the Bicklord's according to some
other will, or to the heirs at law. The
parties to the conspiracy were Joseph j.
Knapp, John +. Knapp, r. and G.
Crownnshield. There might have been
more. The government did not lay the
commencement of the conspiracy on the
Friday before the murder. That was
not the first time Francis Knapp had VS.
tied Richard Crowninshield.-ltw was not
the first time the matter had been broach-
ed to them. The government seized
this time, because at this time it was pro-
posed to Palmer to become one OF the
conspirators, and that was all he could
testify to. Then, who were the cOnspir-
ators? Layton proved if he was credit
ed there was a conspiracy, and who three
of the conspirators were; he heard Jo-
seph ask Frank, when he had seen Dick,
& when Dick was going tokillthc old man.
If the jury believed Layton heard these
words, they could not doubt but that the
old man was Mr.. White, and the muir
derer to be Richard Crowninshicld.
This was proofof the conspiracy, and Of
three of the cOnspirators.-Ihls tcstimo-
ny went so near the life of the defend
ant, that they were to consider how
much it was to be credited. The Court
here ad journcd.
In the afternoon. Mr.. Webster, pro-
cecded, commenting upon the evidence
OF Layton and Palmer.
If the murder was to be committed for
the benefit of Joseph, Joseph was to pay
for it. The Government thought some
thing was to be paid, that something was
paid in five franc pieces at Wcnham, on
the Saturday cvcning,-whcn Frank
Knapp carried a stranger there, as prov
cd by Hart and Layton. This was on
the 24th of April. On the 2lst, Jo.
Knapp received 500 five franc pieces.
Who was it that was in the chaisc? If
the man was living, Frank could produce
and would produce him. This was a
matter of design. Who was this person?
Mr.. Lummas said Richard Crownin-
shield with man he did not know, came
to his house on Saturday evening I'M
the last of April, and that Richard paid
for what he had with five franc piece.
There was much in this. Ifhe was at
JOS in the evening, if he did not wish it
known that he was there, and if Frank
Knapp helped him to conceal the fact,
and if Immediately after Crowninshicld
passes five franc piece, what did 1t not
lead them to infer
Mr. Dexter said the testimony did not
prove that these things took place on the
same night.
Judge Putnam read from his notes
showing that the statements of the hus-
band and wife, in a manner, proved that
Richard and man unknown was at Lum-
mus's tavern, late in the evening, late in
the month of April.
Mr.. Webster contcndcd that the fair.
result of the evidence proved what he,
had stated. This reminded him, also,
that the counsel had contended that the
conspiracy originated on the Cd April; !
the testimony of Lummus proved that.
Richard was in Wenham, in the neigh
borhood of Joscph's house, in latter part
of March. 1t was said they spent but
nine five franc pieces: ifthey had so few,
where did they get thcm9 Ifthcy could
explain it they would; it was in Georges
power now, if he chose. They had
none before the oath, and until they
were arrested, A days after, they spent
nine 5 franc pieces This was spending
too many. Ifthc price of blood was paid
on that night in presence of the defend
ant it made out dreadful case against
him. They next got up the solemn farce
of the robbery on the road to Wcnham,
to set public curiosity searching for phan-
toms, for the murderers of Capt. White,
and to induce suspicion that there, was as
had been imagined, banditti in this
neighborhood. They took no steps to find
out the robber; they filled the thousand
tongues of rumor, until the whole town
was alarmed, and the committee sent for
them. Their description of the robbery,
Mr.. Webster treated with the most bit