The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-07-20
nFcIsIoN OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

DECISION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNIlL
IN the case of Prof. John W. Webster Commit
tation Refitsed-Ffiday, .duguSt SOth, tred as
the day of Execution
The Committee on Pardons, composed of Lieutenant
Governor John Reed, Chairman, of Yarmouth; DR.,
Luther v Bell, Superintendent of the McLane Assy.
lum for the Insane Hon. Samuel Wood, of Grafton;
Hon. John Tenney, of Methuen, and Hon. Charles M.
Owen Stockbrdge met at 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing and submitted their final report in the case of John
w. Webster, to the Governor and Council.
The Council met in their chamber, and held the
session with closed DORIS. Report was then presen-
ted by Lieut.. Gov. Reed, Chairman of the Committee
on Pardons
The report sets forth the trial conviction, and SUISSE
quent confession, of DIR. Webster. The Committee
say they have given the confession and argument Of
DR.. Putnam, their serious and anxious attention,
with minds DESTROYS to know the truth and their duty
and with firm purpose to do what both require They
say there seems no ground for Executive nerposition,
except it may be found in the confession ohe prisoner
ssIn this view, the only questions as it seems to u.s.
are, whether the statements which said Webster now
makes in his Confession, of the and circum.
stances Of the homicide confirmed by other evi
dence ntrnscaly probable, that they ought TO be
received rue and if true. whether they justify the
Executive in a Communication of the punishment"
ssBut after all the consideration which they have
been able to bestow upon this confessions and under the
light of all the evidence and the comments with which
has been accompanied and supported they feel con-
strained say, that the effect has not been such to
satisfy their minds that the position of the case is ma
terialy changed. In other words, the paiatng facts
and circumstances set forth in the confession, have
been confirmed by other evidence and circumstances
to form proper and sufficient basis for Executive
interference.
To this painful conclusion the Committee have unae-
snouSly come.
The Committee therefore respectfully report, that
they cannot consistently with what they conceive their
duty recommend Communication of the sentence, in the
case OF John W. Webster, as prayed for in his petit
ton.''
They therefore name FRIDAY, THE THRIFT
ETH DAY OF AUGUST NEXT, as the day; and
recommend to your Excelency decide upon that day
as the time for the Execution of John w. Webster. .
After the conclusion of the reading of the Report
His Excelency, Governor Briggs, read to the Council
an elaborate address, going into full review of the
case, and concurring with the Council. We may give
this address hereafter.
ACCIDENTS. On Tuesday, as Henry NJ Paine was
stepping into his carriage, the horse started, and he
was thrown down and his arm broken by being caught
in the Wheel 1t viii probably confne him to the house
two or three weeks.
On Thursday daughter of Charles P. Bancroft
aged about IL years, driving her fathers horse il
top buggy, when the horse took fright and run agains
post at the of Portland and Myrtle streets
throwing the driver of the carriage and demolish
ed the top of the buggy The horse then passed on
ward through Portland to Park street, where passe
between a tree and the Common fence, breaking Of
both shafts and otherwise breaking the carriage II,
then run down Main street, with the shafts dangling
his heels, till he his stable where he turned in
Fortunately, the little girl escaped with only Sigh
confusion on her face,