Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-14
Orleans County Court.
STATE Us. HANNAH PARKLR.

STATE Us. HANNAH PARRLR.
This was an indictment for murder. The re-
spondent was charged with having murdered her
own child, by'drowning it in Black river The
evidence was circumsanta together with the
respondents admissions. 1t being n capital Of
fence, the case attracted much attention.
The prosecuting attorney, with Mr.. Cooper, as
associate counsel presented the case in an able
manner, without manifesng undue feeling for a
conviction. The defence was conducted with
much Ingenuity and ability by Messrs Bell and
Poland.
1t must be confessed, the evidence disclosed
facts well calculated 10 create sympathy. and
excite commisscration. That she was the cause
of the chlld's death, did not seem to be seriously
denied-but the main defence was, that the
wrong and outrage upon her property and person,
her own personal suieIiDgs and destitution had
produced in her mind naturally weak and i'm
becile-such temporary desperation and mania,
that she was not morally and legally responsible
Tor her acts.
1t was in evidence that che had ever been ap-
parcnly fond of the child that she had nurturcd
It wl'h great care and solicitude that she had
even the winter previous, travelled on foot two
miles and half twice week. and brought po-
tdtoeS IN her apron, to sustain the child and this
sometimes, with the snow TO her knees that
she was driven by the cold, from the hovcl where
she was attempting TO shelter herself, that the
winds might not visit her too roughly; she bore
this child in her arms with its feet even frozen,
to her broiher-in-laws and was repuIsed she
travelled on and was taken IN by an old Satnarl-
tan, by the name of Bean; he kept her and the
child TILL June, and then set her across the Lake
in his boat for the purpose Of procuring aid from
the authorities Of Derby. But she obtained no
relef-iheuce transplreJ the act for which she
Is arraigned
The Jury were unable to agree, and were dis
charged.
Whatever the law demands should be fully
accorded, though it should demand the extreme
penalty, life itself; but we confess could not
hear her history as detailed by witnesses, with
out thinking that those persons, who had refused
relief TO furnishing pilgrim, are pdrtakers in
the guilt, and should share III its penalties.
But these are considerations that might prop
erly be addressed to the clemency Of the Exec
utive, and not to the discretion oil Jury. The
Executive is supposed to have heart and soul,
but the officers OF the law are permitted to have
neither. Stern and inHexible, 1t must be admin
istered-al this is well.
The following is sketch of the opening re-
marks OF the venerable James Bell in defence OF
the prisoner. The time occupied in delivering
this part was nearly all hour, from which fact the
reader will inter that this Is but mere sketch j
MAY it please your honor, and gentlemen oi
> the Jury: stood among giants, though not Of
= them. My Comrades at the bar have fallen
t Fletcher, the interchangeable, unirlng advocate
where is he? Eternity echoes che is heren-
e Cushman the courtly and eloquent lawyer; the
KIND and feeling man, the polished aud socla
e companion and friend, is where? The unseeI
: ~ orld answers Herep Mattocks lives, thanl
i Goo, but Is withdrawn from the clash OF minC
i with mind, the combat OF intellect and wit, tn,
flashing humor and grave debate Of the bar, L
;, the retlrements OF his family.
d am alone; an old tree, stript of its foliage
e and lettering beneath the rude storms Of seyent
) winters; but lately PROSTATE at the verge of tn
Re rave, supposed my race was run; expecte
&c never again TO be heard in the defence otthe ur
l. fortunate accused.
But Heaven has spared Inc, another monumer
If OF its mercy, and rejoice in the opportunity {
J. uttcrng perhaps my last public breath, in dc
% fence OF the poor weak im5ecile prisoner at tn
J. bar.
&C Gentleman she is a mother; she is charge
n with murder; with the murder of her own chile
n She is arfaigned here iriendless stranger; sh
1t is without the means to reward counsel and ha
10 cot The intelligence, as have had sorry occaslo
d to know, 70 dictate to her counsel a single lac
III relating 10 her case.
ID have come to her defence, without the Sigh,
III est hope of reward-she has nothing TO give bu
L. thick dark poverty; and oflhat too have alrea
n dy more than enough.
he But | am happy to say that the hardship
n her case has mace friends among strangers
IN And the warm sympathes which have been ea
u tened to her, and the aid | have received trol
e. all the members of the bar, during this tra
s. strongly indicate that the great hearts, and goo
s. minds OF many departed brothers have left the
" impress, on these, their successors" - IOman
~ Becord