The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-07-19
PROFEssOR WEBsTER's CASE.

the Governors council on frOi. WeDsters petl- |
ton for eommutation Of sentence:
1t will be remembered that the Rev. DR.. Put |
nam in his argument before the Governor and |
Council on The occasion Of presenting the confess !
sion of Prof Webster to that honorable body, on |
Tuesday morning last, requested, II the decision |
Of the COMMITTEES Of the Council should be un. |
favorable to the request OF Professor Webster, |
that they would allow him further hearing.
Since the presentation Of the confession, the
committee, in order to understand it's full bearing,
submitted it to board Of surgeons, one OF whom
was DR.. Warren. A meeting ofthe Council was
Notified yesterday afternoon, and DR.. Putnam was
requested to be present.
| About an hour before the meeting Of the Coun.
c Mrs. Webster and her three daughters arrived
at the Council Chamber and obtained an inter
view with Gov Briggs and his honor u. Gov
Reed.
Mrs. Webster Was dressed in deep mourning
| Her three daughters seemed sorrow stricken and
almost heart-broken. Mrs. Webster is evidently
woman Of great hope-frm and persevering tn
the last. The eldest daughter exhibits in great
degteg tie same valuable traits-douby valuable
duriag this ttiost terrible Struggle through which
they have been called to pass. The other two do
not look like the same beautiful girls who testi-
fed in behalf of their father at the trial Their
charming hsaltfd appearance has been exchang.
ed for one more sickly and sad.
Mrs. Webster, in conversation with his Honor.
Lieut. Gov Reed, said that she aud her daughters
earnesly prayed for Communication Of her hus-
bands sentence His previous letters TO the coun-
Gil, sho said, asking for pardon, were written
at her earnest solicitation. She strongly believed
in his nnocense or she would never have con
sented to their presentation. 1--WE feel assured Of
that; no one doubts your sincerity; Mrs. Webster,
said Gov. Briggs, who until now had sat silent
listener IL feel that he must have committed
the deed in moment Of great provocation.
cannot persuade myself that it was otherwise
continued Mrs Webster "he doated upon his
children-he was good, kind husband--and oh,
sir, we earnestly hope aud pray that you may find
it consistent with your duties to the public, and
consistent with the cause Of justice aud humanity
to save him and our whole family from the ruin
and deep disgrace which threatens"
The lieutenant governor replied to something
which she said. Mrs. Webster. mstaking his
words, looked earnestly into his face, her eyes
streaming with tears, said with lorce we shall
never forget. "Did you say, sir, it was impoSsi-
. BILE to commute his sentenced %, | can't tell
you that madam-the subject is before the com.
mittee All I can say. is, we will try, most con-
scientousy, to serve you, and save your husband
, 1t is most painful duty"
Mrs Webster said she wished to assure his Ex
L
ling his confession to their consideration and de
. sired that they would construe it as favorable al
3 duty would permit. Mrs. Webster and her daugh
l. ters then retired.
The council Immediately assembled, DR.. Put
Q nam was present. Lieut. Governor Reed, pre-
siding, said to the doctor that he was invited Il
come there in order that the council might com
municate to him some important information
which their committee had obtuned from boar
OF surgeons respecting certain statements mad
:. by Prof Webster in his confession. The lieuien
ant governor informed the doctor that the counc
. choose to communicate to him because he SCENE
3" the only person that appeared in the professor
behalf
a' Dr. Putnam said he had appeared before tn
D. council as acitizen-having that information (t
conIession) which circumstances hid placed in h
!" possessIo-and not delegated; therefore he did NJ
IL deem it his duty to act in any other capacity tina
as friend aud listener. He would hear anythn
" they had to present aud then he would consu
Prof Webster and his council
DR. Bell was about reading the Statement
- Dr. Putnam when il was suggested that the doc
~ ment should not go forth To the public until Il
to fual report ofthe committee is made: All ey
Il. were Immediately turned upon that ubiquto
10 few who were present-the reporters-as mut
P. as to say, ''if gou don't leave we shall" II
reporters took tile Hint aud their hats and fe
w notes departed.
ut We understand the result of the surgeons
vestigatoh leaves adoubt in the minds oil Z
u' council upon three PoIts. First the weapon wi
III which DR.. Webster said he struck DR.. Parkma
:. Secondly, the time which he stated DR.. Parkm
10 lived alter the blow was inflicted; and thrdly,t
,ry clashing of his petition with his coniessidh
the opinion Of the surgeons they are all inconsl
'e ent.
3: The Boston Transcript says;
Nothing could be more admitdble than I
ny manner in which DR. Putnam has acquitted hi
ng sefOf the painful duties Imposed on lin by
,ur prisoner. After drawing from the unhappy mi
A., by the mere force Of Christian kindness, stralg
~ iorwarrness and candor, his terrible secret,
III had to keep it in his own breast. undivu'ged
icy any one until the fitting time had arrived to co
oi. muncate it to the family Of Prof Webster. I
=, melancholy task was discharged by Or. Putin
90 with all the tenderness that could avail to bre
ge the shock. Mrs. Webster, we understand,
er, ceived the communication with 6rmness she
eo probable long had misgvings Of the truth; but
~, daughters were overwhelmed by the ahict
tidlngs. ...-.. .....-
TO- The Boston Transcript says that tecontiliat
gu has taken place between Litteield and the pr
i"' uer, and that mutual wish for an interview
been expressed which the sheriff has consen
v"' n to grant.
n UuWS