The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-08
NUMBER 139.

III dHoHcf, Bo'N Wei'h"ts f''"'
hangings worth FL 500; another, silver cradle to
burn sea coal another two oriental pearls. Sir
Francis Bacon insisted paying for the masque,
which the bcncher of Lincon's Inn presented at The
marriage supper, the cost being f2O0O pr. Dohne'
forgetting the clergyman In the courter, wrote eulo-
CYSTIC verses compmentiDg the bride on the manly
courage" with which she "braved unjust opinion,
Lady Frances boldly arrayed herself in the costume
appropriated TO virgin brides. Everything passed
in short MS if Essex and the former marriage had no
existence; If the brides reputation were unsuie'
and her conscience without reprOach.
During the time however, which had been taken
up by these proceedings perpetrated that ioni
crime which forms the subject Of our narrative
Men of law II seems, were not more celebrated for
despatch In those days than in the suit for
the divorce had been commenced in April or May
but il was not till ST. Stephens day, in December,
that the marriage could take place. Sir Thomas
Overbury died ON the 18th September. That he died
by poison can scarcely be doubted; though there are
conflicting opinions us TO what persons are impicat-
ed in the guilt. plain narrative Of the circnm-
stances that occurred far they appear clearly
established viii enable the reader 10 draw his own
conclusions, particularly to the guilt Of Somerset
and james which are the principal questions in dis
pute
In the first place. II seems clear that Overbury was
retained as well placed In prison by the machna-
tons of Somerset According to the usual course OF
|
an imprisonment Of few weeks, ii not days. But
Somerset required his detention till the divorce and
second marriage should be accomplished. We find
that means was taken by some one TO inspire James
with feelings towards Overbury which seem incom-
mens,rae with the very yenial offence OF declining
an embassy. From contemporary letter 1t appears
that s'mch ado there hath been To keep Sir T. Over
bury from public censlre of banshnent and loss OF
Office such rooted hatred eth in the kings heart
| towards him." That this hatred was the work Of
| Somerset seems n fair inference from the crcum-
stances in which he was placed.
| Again, IL was necessary for Somersets purpose,
not only to keep OverbTy in prison, but to keep him
close and allow Of no correspondence on his part
| that might either obstuct the divorce, or publish
those secrets whatever they might be, in the posses
| sion of which lay Overburys hold upon his patron
Accordingly Somerset appears 10 have been the means
of declaring the prisoner from the attendance OF his
body servant. Ovcrburys father and mother on the
news of his unrest, had come up TO town to make ex
crtions for his release; but Somerset whilst he anus
ed them with hopes and promises of his assistance,
strongly urged them go back into the country, and
neither press to see their son, deliver petitions to
The king on his behalf; assuring them that their in
reference would only stir up enemies and protract
| his release.
Another, and still more suspicious circumstance Is
i to come. Shortly after his Imprisonment and while
he vet conded in his friend Overbury received from
| him white powder which he was to take medicin-
ally Somerset declared at his trial. that this was al
Oyerbury request who wished toappear sick that his
| patron might take occasion to move the kings COM
passion He also produced letter, in which Over
|, bury said that the powder had agreed with him,
though he meant take Of that kind. There
is, however, some mystery about this powder which
i has not been cleared up. When asked whence he
. had It, Somerset asserted that ii given him by
4 one Sir H. Pettigrcw, from whom he had got similar
. medicine before, as Overbnry knew But Pottgrew
D maintained that he had given Somerset but
three powders; and each Of these traced; that
there must have been fourth, for Oycrbury, from
some other quarter. This powder then may have
been poison But IL So 1t is impossible to suppose
II it in any way the cause Of DEATH Immediately
motley. II produced violent effect; was followed
by great vomiting and purging; but beyond that it
have left TRACES Of presence: the patient
recovered and lived for months If it were poison,
we may perhaps presume that Overbury was saved
by the oyer-strength Of the dose.
j Weeks rolled on and still Overbury was prisoner
Somerset protested much but had done nothing; and
Overburys friends well rs himself began to doubt
the sincerity of who not used to ask favors
Of the king in vain Sir John Lydcote Overburys
broter-in-la found means TO send him letter, in
which he recommends him to change his style in
writing to Somerset. overbury took the hint, and
wrote very imperous letters of which the second
| closes with an alarming threat, as foows;--
| "Well all this vacation have written the story
betwiX you and me: how have lost my friends for
your sake; what hazard | have run what secrets
have passed between us; how, after you had won
that woman by my letters, you then concealed all
your after proceedlhgs rom me ana now upon TINS
| made TO be even with me; and your sending for me
twice that day that was caught in the trap, persuad
ing me that il was plot of mine enemies to send me
beyond sea- and urging me not TO accept it, assuring
lne to free me from amy long trouble On Tuesday
made an END OF TINS ana on friday stn y y friend
a ,hs nsar T,rseie shaII nyhllhed Wbeh
rr live or die your shame shall never die but ever
| remain to the world, 10 make you the most odious
| man living" H
| Shortly after the arrest of Overbury, Weston was
sent for 10 Lady Frances apartments al Whitehall,
where he was closeted with the lady and Mrs. Tur-
ner. Here he was told that he should be appointed