Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-07-06
CONFESSION OF DR.. JOHN w. WEBSTER.

At meeting of the Governor and Council of the State Of
Massachusetts, Tuesday last the Rev. D.. PUTNAM the
spiritual adviser Of Professor WEBSTER appeared and pre-
scented petition from JoHs W. WEBSTER now under SEN
tence of death for the murder of DR.. GEoRGE PARKMAS
praying that his sentence might be commuted The petition
is accompanied by from Prof Webster in which
he admits that he killed Dr. Parkman, follows from which
we make the following extracts ."-.
ss0n Tuesday, the Goth of November sent the note to
Dr. Paknan, which, appears carried by the boy Max
well. handed it to Lirefeld unsealej 1t ask Dr.
Parkman to call my Friday, the 23d, after my
lecture He had become off very mpounate for his paw
He had threatened me with suit put officer into my
house, and to drive from my proessorship if did not
pay him The purport of my note simply to ask the
conference. did not tell him in it what could do what
had say about the payment wished gain for those
few days, release from his solicitations which La
bic every day, occasions and in very disagree.
able and alarming me, and also avert for long time
at least the fument OF threats of
did not expect to be able to pay him when Friday should
arrive My purpose if he should acced the proposed
interview, state to him my endorsements and ina
billy pay him present. apologize for those things
my conduct which had offended him. throw myself upon
his mercy beg for further time and indulgence for the sake
of my family if not for my own and to make good pro-
misses to him as could have any hope Of keeping.
81 did not hear from him that day the next (Wed
nesday) but found that Thursday be had abroad
pursuit of me- though without finding feared that h,
else not mean TO wal
for it. | feared he would in upon my lectur,
hour, while was preparing my experiments for it. There
fore called at his house that morning, (Frday between
and o'clock. remind him of my wish him the
College at half past l, my lecture closing at l. did not
stop talk with him then, for expected the conversation
would be long one, and had my lecture prepare for
necessary for to tme and also to keep my
mind free from other exciting matters DR.. Pakman agreed
to call on me as proposed.
SHE came, accordingly, between ha-past and two
He ampI in a re-
moving glasses from my lecture table into the
n the rear called the upper laboratory He rap
idly down the steps, and followed into the laboratory He
Immediately addressed with great energy Are you ready
for me, sir Have you got the money" replied "No
Dr. Parkman, and then beginning to state my cond
on and make my appeal to him. He would not listen
but interrupted with much vehemence. Ee called
scoundre and liar, ard went on heapng aron me
the most bitter tauns and opprobrious epthets While he
talking he drew handful of papers from his pocket and
took from among them my notes. and also old letter
from Dr. Hossack written many years ago, and congatual
ing him (Dr his success in getting appointed Pro-
lessor Of Chemistry "You see he said, 81 got you into
your Office, and will get you of !" He put back
into bis pocket all the papers except the letter and the
cannot tell how long the torrent Of threats and invecives
continued and can recall to memory but small pcton
of what he said At first kept nterposng trying paciy
him, that might obtain the object for which had sought
the interview. But could not stop him. and my
temper up forgot every Thing. felt nothing but the
sting Of bis words was excited to the high degree Of pas
sion ana while ne was speaking and gescalatr nhe mos
violent and meDacng manner hrustng the letter and his fist
my face, in my fury seized whatever thing bAndes
ii Silk Of woodland dealt him instantaneous blow,
with all the force that passion could give It. da not kaos
think, care, where should bit him, how lard,
what the eec, would be- II the side Of his hed
and there nothing break the force Of the blow. He
fell instantly upon the pavement. There secord
blow He did not Isooped down him, and he
seemed be lilsss Blood flowed from his mouth, and
got sponge and wiped it away. got ammSna and
IN I
minutes in attempts recuscae him; but found that he
absolutely dead. In my horsor and conservation
nstinctvey and boted the doors Of the leisure room
and the laboratory below And then what do It
occurred and declare what had been DONE
and obtain assistance nothing but the alternative Of
successful removal and concealment Of the body
hand, and Of nfamy and destruction on the o,her.'
The confession then goes the in which
the body subsequently dismembsred &c. but these de-
tails SO horrible that we must be excused from copying Them