The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-30
Professor webster,s Trial,

The following are the proceedings OF the third
day OF Prof Webster's trial, as telegraphed to the
Baltimore Sun
BosToN, March 21-eP. NJ
This morning the crowd in and around the court
house was more dense than ever, and the excite
ment had evidently increased in all parts OF the city
An eager multitude was in attendance seeking ad-
mtance hours before the doors of the court house
were open, and the rush for admittahce fearful
At o'clock DR.. Webstsr was brought from the
Leverett street Jail in carriage in irons, to the
court house. He Immediately took his seat in the
dock, and the irons were removed His step was
light and elastic, and in crossing the his
tenance was calm and collected, to such an extent
as to cause general remark. He familiarly nodded
such OF his friends and acqnaintances he recog
nized, and at one time he slightly smiled. He
seems to regard what is progressing around him
with much more composure and less apparent in
terest than is evinced by many of the spectators.
Wis srcns animal passion and
temperament. The cheek bones are high and the
mouth, with compressed lips, beiray great resolu-
ton and irmness of character; the forehead is in
clined to angular rather low and partially retreat
ing standing below the middle height and by no
means man OF strong muscular strength. His
general appearance makes no favorable impression.
DIR. Charles T.sJackson was the tifst witness
called to the stand this morning. He stated that he
is a chemist by profession, and was one Of those
who examined and analysed the remains supposed
to be those Of DR.. Parkman. He was called upon
on Saturday afternoon, December L, and met DR.
Gay and DR.. Lewis at the Medical College. Hav
ing made the necessary preliminary arrangements
Dr. Gay and himself undertook the chemical par
of the investigation. There was submitted to then
some bones and the contents Of a small assay fur
| mace. He also saw the remains and did not thinl
they had been used for anatomical purposes. H,
thought, however, that the dissection showed ana
tomical skill, because the flesh had been dissecte
boldly from the ribs down to the cartileges-th
clavrcle, or collar bone, had been uisconnecte,
| neatly. He knew DR.. Parkman well-he wa
literally dry, muscular subject. A strong solu
ton of caustic potash had been applied to the re
mains. The deposition in the hands Of the coun
sci for. the State he said was his--a in his hand
writing except the titles. II relates to the aetio
OF potash on human remains, and to the green fiui
| found on the staircase They also detail minutel
the result OF the chemical examination of the re
mains found in the college.
| Cross-examined q Question. How long would j
| lake to deeompose body in potash?
| Answer. II would depend on circumstances.
the body was cut in small pieces it would soon be
| come, by boiling, a liquid-like making soap.
Q. How much potash would it take to dissoly'
such body as DR.. Parkman's?
A. The body of DR.. PaTkman would prooaoil
have weighed 40 pounds, and it would have re
quired about one-half that weight of potash to dis
| solve it, Less, however, would so Affect the bod
| an 10 destroy The identity. Nitric acid would
the next substance 10 dissolve the body, but not th
Best Il would require for nitric acid about lh
weight of the body 10 dissolve IL thoroughly, bone
and ALL Saw no vessels at the college large enouE
70 dissolve any considerable quaniiTy Of Assh 5
| nitric acid, There wsrs dark staps % he s,as