Litchfield enquirer., 1850-07-25
WEBSTER's PRAYER NOT GRANTEDI
The Day Fixed for his Execution.

On Friday morning last, the Commit
tee on Pardons reported to the Governor
and Council. Of Massachusetts, against q.
communication Of the sentence Of death
passed upon DR.. John w. Webster, by
the Supreme Jud cial Court. for the nur'
der Of DR.. George Parkmal.
The Council then fixed on Friday, tie
soh day Of august neat, as the day Of
execution.
The following is the CO including pant
af the Report Of the Committee
1t seems to your Committee that he
sentence in the case of J. w. Webster.
having been passed by the Court, after
u full and fair trial. in the course of
which all The facts and circumstances
which could then be brought TO light,
were patiently and thoroughly invests
gated and weighed by the Jury-and
having been fully affirmed, after care
tul revision Of the law upon trial, since
had by the full Court, on solemn argu-
ment on both sides, there appears Ia
be no ground for Executive inlerposition
except it may be found in the subsequent
confession Of the prisoner,
In this view, the only questions, as it
seems to us. are, whether the statements
which said Webster now makes ip his
Confession, Of the manner and circum-
stances OF the homicide. are So confirm
ed BY other evidence, or SO intrinsically
probable, that they ought to be received
as true aud il true. whether they justi-
ty the Executive in communication Of
The punishment.
To these questions the minds of the
Committee have been most carefully di.
,ected, and, as they trust, with no ut1-
Willingness on their part to'come TO AN
affirmative &C pclusion. if They can do So
with suprea.s regard to truth AID jus-,
hce. BIT after all the considc. atiop
which they have been able 10 bestow
apon this confession, and under the light
Ut all the evidence and tie comments
with which it has been acc. panied and
supported. they feel constta,ped to say,
that the effect bias not been such as to-
satisfy their mirds. that the position Of
the case is materially changed. In 9th.
er words. the pallalipg facts and circum>
stances set forth in the confession, have
not been SO confirmed BY olhereyidence.
and circumslaneesa rs 10 form basis for
Executive interference.
TO this painful conclusion the Conn.,
mittee have unanimously C me.
The COMMITTEE therefore respectfully
report, that they cannot consistently
with what they conceive their duty, ie>
commend computation Of the sents nee.
in the case Of John w. Webster. as
prayed for in bis petition.
Nothing now remains for the Gem
mittee, in the discharge Of this painfuL
duty, but to advise your Excellency in
determining time for the Execution.
and they name FRIDAY, THE THIR-,
TIETH DAY OF AUGUST NEXT,
! as the day and recommend TO your Elk.
celency to decide upon that day, as q
time for the Execution OF John w. Web
ster. JOHN REED. Chairman.
Council Chamber, July 10, 1850.
Thus terminates another act in the ira.
gic drama. which commenced in Boston
ON tho 23d Of November last, and the
closing catastrophe Of which is yet to
come. The decision Of the Governor
and Council will, we believe, meet the
general appreciation Of the community.
The sentiment seems to be almost uni
| versal, that either the death penalty
must be abolished altogether. or it must
BE- applied in the case Of Professor Web
ster. 1t is, however. . dreadful fate for
such man. Perhaps no one Of his
standing and requirements ever. in civ.
ilized community, was executed for such
a crime. @