Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-07-11
miscellaneous.
CONFESSION OF DIR. WEBSTER.

On the I'd instant the Rev. DR.. Putnam
of Roxbnry appeared before the Governor
and Council of Massachusetts, and presen-
ted petition and confession of DR.. JOHN
w. WEBSTER; the petition was that the
sentence of death may be commuted to i'm
prisonment for life-the confession is an
nexed. DR.. Putnam explained that he had
been and is the spiritual adviser of Web
ster-that after obtaining Webster's conf
dence, he suddenly and without any previ-
vious intima,ion of his purpose, demanded
of Webster full confession Of all he knew
about the Parkman affair This was on the
Odd of May, when Webster had petition
pending for pardon, in which he most SOL
emnly asseverated his innocence. But
Webster Immediately, without asking time
for preparation, replied to DR.. Putnam's
demand by making this
CONFESSION.
Dr. We5ster's Statement, as reported to
the Committee of the Council, by Req. G.
Putnam.
On Tuesday the Goth of November,
sent the note to DIR. Parkman, which, II ap-
pears. was carried by the boy Maxwell.
handed it to Li,tlefield unseaied. twas to
ask DIR. Parkman to call at my rooms on
Friday the Odd, after my lecture. He had
become of late very importunate for his
nav. He had threatened me with suit, to
put an officer into my house, and to drive
me from my prolessorship if l did not pay
him. The purport of my note was simply
to ask the conference. i did not tell him
in it what | could do or what had to say
about the payment wished to gain, Tor
those few days, release from his soiic,ta-
tons, to which was liable every day, on
occasions and in manner very disagreea-
BILE and alarming to me, and also to avert,
for so long time at least, the fulilIment OF
recent threats of severe measures. did
not expect to be able to pay him when FIJI
day should arrive My purpose was, II he
should accede to the proposed interview, to
state to him my embarrassments and utter
inability to pay him at present, to apologize
for these things in my conduct which mad
offended him, to throw myself upon his
mercy, to beg for further time and indul-
eence for the sake of my family, II not
tor nv own, and to make as good promises
TO him as could have any hope OF keeping.
l did not hear from him on that Gay nor
the next (Wednesday,) but found that on
Thursday he had been abroad III pursuit o,
me though without finding me. l feared
that he had forgotten the appointment o,
else did not mean to wait for It. feared
he would come in upon me at my lecture
or while was preparing my experiments
for it. Therefore called at his house on
that morning friday between 9 and y, to
remind him of my wish to see MIN a. .ne
college at half past one. my lecture closing
at one. did not stop to talk win n',n
then, for expected the conversation wou'o
be long one, and had my lecture 70 pre-
pare for. 1t was necessary for me to save
my time, and also to keep my m.hc Hee
from other exciting matters- Dr. falk"sn
agreed to call on me as ] proposed. 80.
He came, accordingly, between mail Pss'
one and two. He came in at the Lecture
room door. / was engaged IN removing
some glasses from my lecture-foom taoie IN
to the room in the rear, called tne uPre -
laboratory. He came rapidly down sue
steps and followed me into the LABORATORY.
He immediately addressed me w.se e.'
energy !: Are YOU ready Tor me, cir HAVE
you got the money! / replied. no. -
Parkman,' and was then beginning % -
ny condition and make my appeal % M NJ