Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-15

part, withheld. Immediately upon my ar
rest, every means was resorled 10, to benz
even the most triAing appearance in my
laboratory, and insignificant circumstance
10 add to suspicion, and to pervert them tC
my disadvantage
i In the state of mind in which | was, 81
lence was constantly urged upon me, ant
| complied more strictly perhaps than
ought to have done. Every method o
poisoning the public mind and of exciting
prejudice against me was resorted to, false.
hoods, impulations and fabrcations were
daily diffused, and | soon perceived thai
the contradiction of one would lead to 9TH
ers, and that the refutation of them all
would be an endless task. therefore SUBJ
mitted in silence and resignation, believing
that the time must shortly arrive when He
who bringeth light out Of darkness would
cause the truth to appear, and my inno-
cence be made manifest 10 all.
Had | previously been aware OF the
use that was to be made of some circum-
stances on my trial, to give an unjust and
erroneous impression if unexplained, |
should have been provided with evidence
to explain them most satisfactorily.
Some of the statements, references and
circumstances, however, could not be fully
explained or disproved without the testl-
mony of my wife, OF which, unfortunately,
| could not avail myself now pray your
Honors that the evidence may be reviewed
by you, and that the testimony of my wife
may be heard and received, as also my
own statements and explanations.
Repeating in the most solemn and posi-
tive manner and under the fullest sense oil
my responsibility as a man and as Chris
tian, that | am wholly innocent of this
charge, to the truth of which the Searcher
of all hearts is witness, | would humbly
and respectfully pray that the privilege |
have asked may be granted. l do this un-
der the full belief that the testimony and
explanations would now offer are such as
will disprove many things, impair very
greatly The evidences of at least two Wit
nesses, and place in the true light circum-
stances now obscure.
On reviewing my case, your Honors
will, | trust, find sufficient reasons for re-
versing the decision of the Court, and for
interposiion of mercy.
The knowledge Of my feelings and hab-
its, and of my various engagements and
occupation Of time, both before and after
the disappearance of DR.. Parkman, have.
from the first, been sufficient assurances to
my afflicted family of my innocence; and
neither that, nor their trust in Him and
me in our days and nights of sorrow and
sadness, have been shaken for the unlocked
for result OF my trial. They would pray
to be permitted to unite with him who is
their sole earthly dependence, in this Pc
tition, believing that your Excellency and
the Honorable Council will find sufficient
grounds for granting to me pardon, and
of restoring to them the husband and father,
for which most respectfully and humbly
pray. (Slgned)
]. W. WEBSTER.
Withdrawn on application Of DR.. Web
ster, June a, 1850
The melancholy task Of divulging to
the family of DR.. WEBSTER his confession
of the murder of DR.. PARKMAN, was un.
dertaken by Dr.. PUTNAM with all the ten
derness that could avail to break the shock.
Mrs. WEBSTER, we understand, received
the communication with frmness, she had
probably long misgivings of the truth; but
the daughters were overwhelmed by the
affecting tidings.