The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-07-30

ihc punishment
To these questions, the minds of the com
mittec have been most carefully directed
and, as they trust, with no unwlingness on
their part TO come 10 an affirmative conclu-
sion, if they could do so consistently with a
supreme regard 10 truth and justice But af-
ter all the consideration which they have
been able TO bestow upon this confession, and
under the light of all the evidence and the
comments with which it has been accompa-
nicd and supported, they feel constrained to
say, that the effect has moi been such as to
satisfy their minds, that the position of the
case is materially changed. In other words,
'hc palliatng facts and circumstances set
forth in the confession, have not been so
confirmed by other evidence and circum-
stances. as to form proper and sufficient ba.
sis for Executive interference.
To this painful conclusion the committee
have unanimously come.
The committee therefore respectfully re-
port, that they cannot consistently with what
they conceive their duty. recommend com
mutation of the sentence, in the case of
John w. Webster as prayed for in his petit
ton.
Nothing now remains for the committee
in the discharge of this painful duty, but to
advise your Excellency in determining unon
time for the Execution, and they name
firtdy, Tie MirtieM dag Of lugua merit, as
the day and recommend to your Excclen
cy to decide upon that DAY as the time for
the Execution of John w. Webster.
JOHN REED. Chairman.
Council Chamber, July / 8, 1850
The report having been read, some dis
cussion was had, after which the report was
accepted, with only one dissenting voice,
viz. Hon. Benjamin F. Copeland, of Ro>-
bury.
Governor Briggs now proceeded to read
the following address, in which he expressed
his concurrence with the Council
To he Honorable Council:
The Council having considered and act
ed on the case of John w. Webster, a con-
vict under sentence of death, it becomes nv
duty as the Chief Executive Magistrate of
the Commonwealth to make a final decision
on question involving the life of the pris-
oncr I feel the weight of its responsibility.
But i, is a responsibility found in the path
of official duty, and am not disposed TO G.
wade it, or TO shrink from it, For eight
months past this extraordinary case has Gre
ated deep and painful interest among the
people of Massachusetts, ard of the whole
Union. lis history is as brief as it is tcrri-
bic and instructive every new development
in its progress has been more strange, and
has increased that interest.
On the 23d day of November, 1919, DIR.
Geoarge Parkman, well known and highly
respectable citizen of Boston, left his house
and family on business, as was usual for him,
and never returned TO them. His uncxprct-
cd absence alarmed his family and excited
the attention of the people in and around
Boston. In the course of day or two it
was understood ,hat the prisoner had said
that DR.. Parkman met him at his rooms in
the Medical College in the west part of the
city, not far from half-past l o'clock on the
day of his disappearance, and that he then
ard there paid him sum of money, which
he, DIR. Parkman. took into his hands and
hastily rushed towards the outer door.
Dr. Parkman was also seen by other per-
sons about the same time of day within forty
feet of the door of the college, aud walking
quickly towards it. These, with other cir
cunlstances, directed the public mind towards
the college buildings. The next Friday, one
week after the disappearance of DIR. Park
man, the dismenbered parts of human
body were found in different places in and
under the rooms occupied by the prisoner
in that college, some of them in a furnace,
nearly destro, ed by fire, some of them pack
ed in tea chest, and other parts in the vault
of privy attached to his laboratory.
Suspicious were strongly fixed on him, ant
he was arrested and committed to Leverett
street Jail. A coroner's inquest was called
and after a long examination into the fact
of the case, conducted in secret, the jury re
ported that the remains found were parts 0
the body of the late DIR. George Parkman
that he came 10 his death by violence in the
Medical College in Boston, on Friday, th'
2sd day of November, and that he was Kill
ed bv John w. Webster. The evidence I'd
ken before the inquest was not given to th'
public. In January, 1850, the case was lal'
before the Grand Jury for the County o
Suffolk, and the investigation before that bo
dy resulted in finding an Indictment agains
the prisoner for the murder of Dr. Pdrkman
He was arrAigncd on the Indictment an'
plead not guilty. Two of the most able an'
distinguished lawyers of the Commonwealth
were, upon his own selection, assigned TO hin
as counsel by the Supreme Court, ard hi
trial before the full bench of that court, fix
ed on the 9th day of March. Some tim
before the day of trial the Attorney Genera
furnished the counsel of the prisoner, not on
" with list Of the names OF the wllnesse
to be called against him, which is require
to be done in all capital cases in this Com
monwealth, but also with a copy of the test
mony taken before the coroner's inquest, an
which had been produced against him beior
the Grand Jury.