Litchfield enquirer., 1850-07-18

Explanation of the circumstances tendibo
to bring suspicion on me, solely in con
sequence ofentire Ignorance of the course
l ought to adopt, and implicit reliance
on the calmer judgement of others. q
had however prepared for publication 4
document to that effect, but as thes.
was strong disposition, from the FIRST,
to misiIterpret and misrepresent nv
every look. action and expression, it was
deemed most advisable for me 10 pre-.
serve and maintain silence; the docn-
ment was therefore, with no little stru9-
|gle on my part, withheld. Immediately
upon my arrest. every means were resOr-
ted TO, to bend even the most triliing an
|pearances in my laboratory. aud insignii.
Sticant, circumstances to add to suspicion
and to pervcrt them to my disadyap-
|tage.
ld the state Of mind IN whichI was,
silence was constantly urged upon me,
and complied more strictly pe,ha ps
than ought to have done. Every meth
Cd of pois ming the public mind. and OF
-xciting prejudice against me. was vsor
ed to-falsehoods, imputations and fab,
lcations were daily diffused, and | .oor
perceived that the contradiction of ON.
,ould lead to others, and that the refu.
alton Of them all would be an edles.
ask. / therefore submitted ia silence
and resignation, believing that the tim.
must shortly arrive when He who bring
h light out of darkness would cause
he truth TO appear, and my innocenc,
'e made manifest to all.
Had / previously been aware, of the
.se that was to be made of some circum-
tances on my trial. to give an unjusl
md erroneous impression If unexplained,
| should have been provided with evil
|dtnce to explain them most satisfaeto
|rly.
Some of the statements, references
and circumstances, however, could not
be fully explained or disproved without
the testimony of my wife. of which, un
fortunately. 1 could not avail myself. j
now pray your Honors that the evidence
|may be reviewed by you. and that the
Testimony Of any wife BE- heard and re-
'ceiyed. as also my own statements and
Explanations.
repeating in the most solemn and pos.
live mannerand under the fullest sense
II my responsibility as a man and rs al
christian. that am wholly innocent of
us charge, to the truth of which theI
'earcher of all hearts is a witness, II
'ould humbly and respectfully pray that
re privilege have asked may, be gran.
ed. LIDO this under the full belief tlul,I
|si'c testimony and explanations, would
b Nv offer, are such as will disproye|
many things-impair very greatly the
lev .dence OF at least two witnesses, and
place in their true light circumstances
now obscure.
On this review Of my case. your Hon
,rs will. trust, find sufficient reasons
n reversing the decision of the Court.
Ind for the interposition of mercy.
The knowledge Of my feelings and
,,bIts, aud vt my various engagements
md occupation OF time, both before and
after the disappearance Of Dr.. Parkman,|
ave. from the first, been sufficient as
urauce to my afflicted family of my in i
.ocence; and neither that. nor their trust
|in Him who has sustained both them
|and me in our days and nights Of sorrow
.nd sadness, have been shaken by the
unlocked for result of my trial. They
would pray that to be permitted to unite
with him who is their sole earthly Deepen
Idcnce, in this petition, believing that
your Excellency and the Honorable
Council will find sufficient grounds for
granting me a pardon. and Of restoring
to them the husband and father. for
when / most respectfully and humbly,
pray. (Signed) J. W. WEBSTER.
Boston. April "a. 1850.
Withdrawn on application of DR..
Webster June 4. 1850.
MARRIED MEN.-So good was he, that