The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-06-09
THE SALEM MURDER.

EThe intense interest felt in every circum-
stance relating to this tragical occurrence, has
induced US to collect the following facts, in ad.
dition to those already published.
The whole number now in gaol charged
with the murder Of Mr.. White, either as pin.
cipals or accessories, is seuen, viz Richard
Crowninshield, Jr., George Crowninshield,
Daniel Chase, Benjamin Selman, Joseph j.
AnaPP, r., John Francis Knapp, and John
Carr R. Palmer.
Palmer, like the others, is a young man, of
good personal appearance, progressing man
ners, and OF good education. He was prison.
err two years in the Thomaston State Prison
ana had tor many years before been the init
mate associate of the Crowninshields.
One of the incidents related by Knapp, in his
confession, is worthy of notice, as an indication
of the remarkable cold -bloodedness with which
the assassin pursued his g, dreadful trade" At
the interview which Knapp had with him in
the center of the Mall, he informed X. that he
had seen it stated in the newspapers that 10
stabs were found in the body but that he did
not give more than four or FIVE. Knapp replied
that perhaps he was little agitated, and
could not remember exactly. The assassin
said No, for after he had done for the old man.
he put his fingers upon his pulse, to make GER
tain he was dead"
The Knapps are the same young men who
tackled by highwaymen, on the road, near
Wenham Pond, an account of which was pub.
lished in the newspapers J. J. X. acknowl-
edges that the whole was fabrication.
Salem papers.
Palmer's parents reside in Belfast On his
examination it appeared by his confession sub
segment to his arrest, that he wrote the letter
to Knapp-that he was in Salem on the Sd of
April, three days before, and again on the 9th,
boxyc oft tha I'd hat bo 3I1o
Crowninshields both times-that on the Cd of
April proposition was made to him by one of
the Crownnshields 10 assist in the murder of
Capt White and share with them a third of
the $1,000 which he was informed Jos Knapp
offered to the person who would commit the
deed-that he refused to engage, and next
evening left Salem-returned on the 9th, the
day of The funeral, and saw the Crowninshields
that he saw at their shop Ratchet which he
supposed was used in the murder and hid the
same away-that the Crowninshields told him
the daggers were melted. Palmer denied all
personal knowledge of the murder, but said he
could disclose other important facts. He was
committed for further examination.
Belfast (.Me.) Journal.
1t is said in the Salem papers that the chief
offender, the originator of the diabollcal plot,
has been admitted as a witness on the part of
the State. From a private letter it appears
themselves from legal punishment, by becoming
witnesses for the Government, and that COM
mittee waited on the father of them, to know
which should be accepted The thoughts of
sealing the doom of one of his own children was
more than nature could support, and the feel
ings of the father for a season conquered thos
of the man. Pointing to the chamber in which
the wife of the Oldest son lay, he said "on ac-
count OF that young creature, save my Oldest"
he il he'd hovo
human endurance.
The wife of j. J. Knapp, Jr., now but about
90 years old, is one ofthe most beautiful and ac-
complished ladies in Salem, and the entire de-
votion of her husband had become proverbial
in that town. She has not yet been permitted
to visit him in his prison. Her grief and men
tai agony are beyond description, and she
mourns as those without hope" Although
not permitted to visit her husband she insisted
on going to the Jail, where she was carried in a
carriage but she was unable to look up when
she got there. Knapp went to the window Of
the prison TO see her, and it is said he did not
discover any extraordinary emotion.
1t is lamentable in the highest degree, that
tho fate of two such beings should be SO init
Enately and so inseparably united. Yet SO it is
an innocent, and a virtuous young, and an ami
able female, made to adorn her sex, is united
with guilty wretch, whose crimes render him
an outlaw from the favor and protection of
Society.-Prouidsnce Journal.
GAMBLING HOUSES. The Portland Courier
in noticing the late murder at Salem, says, that
"Palmer in his confessions confirmed the state
nent Of Hatch, that the conspiracy to commit
the murder, aoas formed at GAMBLING House.;
fact which should be remembered and felt"
Loss OF THE PACKET SHIP BosToN by FIRE
The brig Camilla, Capt. Edes, arrived at Bos-
ton on Tuesday week, brought in Capt Mac
kay, crew, and passengers, late of the Boston
and Liverpool Company's ship, Boston She
sailed from Charleston May l8, for Liverpool
and on 25th, lat. 80 /, Ion. Ga, was struck by
lightning, which knocked down two men, and
filed the vessel with electric fluId-immediate-
ly after the cotton in the hold was found to be
on fire, communicated BY the fiuid--all attempts
to extingush it being unavailing, the boats
were got out, and all on board embarked, saw
ing only small quantity of provisions and about
40 gallons of water-the ship being then in a
complete blaze. About three hours time had
changed one Of the best ships that ever swan
to complete volcano, and % persons cast adrift
on the open ocean. The cabin passengers
were, Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin and servant, Dr.
William Boag and his sister, Miss Ansella b.
ag, Mr.. Mel McNiel, and Mr. Samuel S. Os-
good. 1t was then raining and tho sea was run
ming high, and every person drenched through
with water, in This situation the constitution of
Miss Boag, the only lady passenger soon gave
way, and at IL o'clock on Wednesday, in the
boat, she died in the arms of her brother On
the following day she was buried with the
Church service, their situation not admitting of
the corpse being kept longer in the boat. The
boats continued near the spot until the 9th,
when they were taken up by the brig Idas, OF
Liverpool, N. S., from Demarara for Halifax,
and on the Both they we're put on board the
e, Camilla, The Boston was originally valued
at $36,000. She was insured on $4,000
Admiral Coffin, soon after landing from the
Camilla, authorized his agent in Boston to pre-.
sent Capt Mackay Of the Boston, with $500.
LIGHTNING. A very singular instance Of the
awful effects of this move rIul 1uid occurred in