davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

and last with the sheriff, and thanked them for
their kind treatment to him.
He appeared pleasant and perfectly firm upon
the scaffold said his fate was Just.
The body remained suspended BY the neck
for thirty minutes, when Drs. Clark aid Stedman
pronounced it dead 1t was then cut down
placed in a coffin and nailed up, to be delivered
over to his friends for burial.
HIS BIRTH, AGE, &c. &c.
John w. Webster was born in Fleet street
in this city, and at his death was Sc years of
age. He was the only son of DR.. Redford
Webster, an alothecary at the north part of the
city, who amassed, what was then, large es-
tate, between fifty and sixty thousand dollars
John w. finally inherited whole of his fathers
fortune. He graduated in the Cambridge class
of 1911, to which Hon. Edward Everilt, Dr..
Reynolds, and Rev. DR.. rockingham belonged.
He travelled in Europe married very aimiable
and intelligent lady, of most respectable con-
necticns, whom the State has this day made
widow.
He wrote an octave on ST. Michael, one Of
the Azores-a book not overstocked with mag.
ination, poetry, relish Of nature or anything of
science. He was appointed adjunct professor
Of Chemistry in Cambridge in 1926, and the
same year published large volume on Chemis-
try, which he advertised as on the basis of
Bran1e." learned writer speaking of the
work, says SIT Mas nothing but Brande debased"
Prof. WIS character is said to have been true
to phrenology. He had less safeguard to his
virtue than some men; therefore we should not
bold him responsible for so much. Had he been
gifted with as much reason and Imagination as
some men, he would not have sat so cooly in
the Dock on his trial, nor would he so coolly
have murdered DR.. Parkman. Nor would he,
probably, have ever committed that horrible
crime, if he had not been placed, by those who
should have known better, in position SO high
and responsible, for which his capacities were
wholly unsuited.
But Professor Webster is no more on earth I!
His last debt is paid, and we only hope that the
living may profit by the terrible lesson which his
history affords.
1t is sud that he made no detailed confession
to 90 before the public. He has talked freely
on The subject of the murder with different in
divduaIs, but always with the promise from
them that they would not make anything public.
The Rev. Mr.. Waterson received very long
and very singulary written letter from the Pro-
fessor before his death; and several other cler-
gymen received similar letters.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
Giddings Speech, and She Texan
Boundary Bill.


now being to accomplish all the objects embrac.
ed in their upset omnibus, by now forcing them
through Congress IN separate bills, and especial
" that worst feature of it, Pearce,s Texan
boundary bill, we thought we could not do bet
ter by our free soil readers than by giving them,
this week, the very excellent specchMhleh Mr.,
Giddings few days ago delivered in the House
on this momentous subject. The question invol-
we'd in the provisions of this bill, when stripped
of lis DISCUSSES and standing in naked truth be-
fore us, is nothing more or less than this-~shail
the United States transfer over to Texas, for
slaveholding purposes, 100000 square miles of
their wn-unquestionaby their own free terrific
ny, and give that grosping and seditious State
and its mcrcenary scrip holders in Congress and
out, ten million Of dollars for the remnant Of
what she has, without the shadow Of justice,
and with an aflrontery without parallel in the
history of our national legislation, lGid claim
to
Mr.. Giddings, it will be seen, severely and,
in our appreciation, very justly reprobatcs the
course Of President Fillmore in his message to
Congress, in which, instead of standing up for
the right, like firm and honest statesman, he
directly sanctions, and even recommends, in cf-
feet, some measure of the very character OF this
monstrous piece Of corruption, and fraud, not
only on the free north, but on the whole coun
try
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
Late News from California.

The following abstract from the Boston
Emancipator and Republican embraces we
believe, all the news of much interest bro't
by the Pacific, the last arrived Steamer
from California
Business at San Francisco was improv-
ing. Merchandise was more in demand
and was acquiring increased value, as the
surplus stock with which the market was
gIutted, had diminished
The news from the various dggings is
the most encouraging we have had for some
length of time. The Discovery of rich pIa-
GERS, and the frequent exhibitions of large
and immensely valuable specimens, have
impaired degree of activity and life to all
branches of business throughout the up
river towns, such as has not been known
since last Iall
The gold discoveries that had been made
in Carson Valley and other places on the
eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, have
given new impulse 10 mining operations.
The Sacramento Transcript notices the
discovery of a rich ravIne about five miles
from Auburn.
The newly arrived overland Immigrants
represent that, in crossing these slopes,
they found gold in abundance but in con-
sequence of their provisions failing them,
they were obliged to come on for supplies.
FROM OREGoN.-The Court had finished
their sessions, but the result had no, trans
pred. The five Indians convicted of the
murder of DR.. Whitman, were publicly ex-
ecuted at Oregon City, by hanging, on the
23d of June. The three who were tried
for killing portion of party Immigrants,
were executed early in May The report
that Gov. Lane has resigned, is confirmed.
The country in which the gold has been
found, is one of the heaIthiest in the world
and if the mine shall be found to extend O.
yer large region of that country, it will
soon be teeming with an overlooking pop.
ulation.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
Good Sense.

The following remarks Of Hon. c. II. Will
lams of Tenn made recently in the House, in
speech on the Texas boundary question, show
that there is some good sense still left in the
South
Sir, have no idea of the secession of any
of the States Of this Union-they have no such
power. Suppose Delaware Or any other of the
smaller States should scccdc. apprehond it
would not be SO fatal to this Government; but
suppose the state of Loulsam should attempt TO
secede that would be of much greater conse-
quence, and we would most likely whn her
back. If South Carolina or Georgia should
withdraw from the union of the States; II thew
should feel obliged after the threats that they
have held out TO separate themselves from the
rest Of the States,--and have my fears that
they may commit some overt ACT of that kind
| would never vote a dollar to send men or mon
ey to bring them back because am connccd
that it would be the best course not TO do So sat
isfed that time would convince them of their
error. would let them stay out until they pe-
tition to be allowed to come back and then I
would put them under bonds to remain in the
Union.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
TROY Murder and Suicide.
Troy, Aug, 81.

TROY, Aug, Il.
An appalling and blodv tragedy came to
light this morning at ST. Charles HOTEL
About IN O'Clock, this forenoon, the pro.
pretor of the hotel. thiaking there was
something wrong in the non-appearance of
man and woman who had stopped as trav-
eIors, went and kncked at their door; but,
receiving no answer, he opened small
window over a door, when a horrid spec
tacle presented itself They were both
dead The bodies, clothes and bed were
covered with blood? The throats of both
were cut and horribly mutilated
They came TO the hotel about A o'clock,
Monday morning, and the following particu-
lars have been ascertained The mans
name was William A. Caldwell, of White
Hall, where his father resides. His age
was about % or 3tlyears, and he had return
ed from sea abaut four months ago. His
appearance was quite respectable. The
womans maiden name was Louisa c. Van
Wrinkle, but it is believed the name she
bore of late was Louisa c. Knapp. Her
age appeared to be from 25 to 81 years.
She is described as having been very beau
tiful, and is believed to be from Bfooklin.
Inquests were held, and in The case of the
woman the verdict was "that the said
Louisa c. Van Wrinkle came to her death
by having her throat cut from ear to ear by
the hands OF William A. Caldwell on the
evening of Tuesday" In the case of Cald-
well it was that che came to death by his
own hands"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

~ The Administration gave its inhu-
ence in favor of earce's bill, which is but
little else than Civ ing Texas bounty lands
stolen from New ldexico, and filling the
pockets of specua tors in Texas scrip
The n Y. Express, special organ Of Fill
more, whose editor is NJ C. soundly be-
rates those six wing Senators who voted a..
galnst the bill. 1t says of one of them
" Morton is only a humbug whig,"
1t scolds the other five thus:
"These five Wings voted against the
wishes and interests OF the Administration,
as expressed in his Me ssage, from unhxed
motives, it is probable; Baldwin and Up
ham from abolition prOcIivity; Ewing as
the defunct representa- We of the Galphin
Cabinet; Seward to keep the pot boiling j;
and Underwood to be 90 It,.
so then this bill is in accordance with
" the wishes and interests of the administra-
ton, Port. Lnqai
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
GOrriou Nous.
Arrival of the America.

The Americas news, received at Halifax
on Tuesday, has but little interest beyond
the few following items:
Parliament was prorogued by speech
from the Queen in person.
The French National Assembly had adj
journed, and the attention Of the French
nation is now principally Ell ployed by the
progress of the President through the Prov
inces, With some few exceptions he ap-
pears to have been very favorably received
by the people.
Jenny Lind was giving concerts to crowd.
ed audiences at Liverpool, and was to have
sailed for Newton in the Atlantic on the
2lst inst.
Some further skirmishes have taken place
between the Danes and Holsteiners, in
which the latter appear to have come off
victorious, There are rumors Of an appro-
aching settlement of the quarrel, under the
auspices of Russia, England and France
lCopenhagen letters report the King Of Den.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
THE CRISIS.

The National Inteligencer of Yesterday
has long article on national affairs. in
which it asserts that the peace of the count
ny is now in the hands ofthe house of rep-
resentatives, and, if they fail in their dutv,
blow will be struck, irreparabIe in its con-
sequences not only to the prosperity and
happiness of the people, but to the cause of
popular freedom throughout the world.
The Republic says that gentleman of
the highest intelligence has just arrived
from Texas, who says there is but little
doubt that the Texas boundary bill will
meet with the sanction of an Overwhelming
majority Of the people of that state.
Apparently it is the intention of Texas
to assert her jurisdiction over the disputed
territory in New Mexico. Her troops for
that purpose are to rendezvous at the scat
oi government by the first of September
ut is well known, on the other hand that
". . troops are now moving to the scene
o' threatened collision, from New York
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
The Execution of DR.. Webster.

The Execution Of DR.. Webster.
This wretched man paid the forfeit of his
crime on the gaIIows, last Friday. The follow
ing particulars of the execution are from the
Boston Bee, of Saturday:
At thirty minutes past nine o'clock, the High
Sheriff, followed by two other Deputies, moved
from the cell where religious services had been
held, to the place of execution, followed by the
prisoner, supported by ConstabIes Easter6rook
aud Dexter, who accompanied him to the foot
OF the scatfod
The Sheriff, with .aier Andrews and Mr.
Holmes, turnkey, assembled the scaifold followed
by the prisoner in custody of Duputies Freeman
and Rugg.
Dr. Putnam also accompanied him on the gal
lows and Immediately entered into earnest con-
versation, and continued TO do SO through the
reading of the Governors warrant, and until
Jaer Andrews stepped forward to pinion the
legs of the prisoner, when the Doctor shook the
Rev. Mr.. Putnam aiiectionately by the hand and
they parted
His arms were already pinioned when the
prisoner assembled the scatfold, but he was after
wards seated in chair while aer Andrews
and turnkey Holmes dashed his legs.
Deputy sherlfs Rugg and Freeman adjusted
the rope at just % minutes to ten o'clock A
cap of black cambria was drawn over his eyes
and Sheriff Eleventh then said
" In the name of the Commonwealth of Mas.
sachusetts, and in accordance with the Warrant
of the Chief Executive, now proceed to exc
cute the law upon John W. Webster, convicted
at the March term of the Susreme judicial court
of the murder of DR.. George Parkman."
This said, the Sheriff placed his foot upon tn,
fatal spring, and in an instant more the victim
was launched into eternity He gave severa
severe struggles, and all was over,
Before the cap was drawn over his eyes h
shook hands with iailer Andrews, Mr.. Holmes
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
To the Friends of Temperance in
Vermont.

The Executive Committee ofthe YER
mont State Temperance Society, at its last
annual meeting, were instructed, in the E.
vent of No Licensc majority in March, to
publish a memorial asking the Legislature to
enact a law which shall prohibit the sale Of
intoxicating liquors. We. therefore, invite
your attention TO the accompanying Memo
rial.
The reasons which call for such action
are these:
LIST That the present law framed, as it
is, for the sake of ascertainlng the senti-
ment of the State, in order TO the passing
of a permanent law As an incpient
measure, and a test of public opinion, the
present law has worked well. But it wants
the force Of LAW, based upon the princi-
pies oftruth and equity So long as there
remains a possibility that what is legally
criminal this year may be legally right next
year, men will be slow to relnqush the u
sages to which they are bound by avaice or
appetite. 1t seems, therefore. important
that there should be a statute, definite and
permanent, resting on settled principles.
I'd. A law of prohibition is clearly de-
handed by the voice of the people, uttered
at the ballot box, -Four times have the
! freeman of Vermont declared their will on
this subject and time against the sale OF
intoxicating drinks; and three times with
majority that would have settled any 9TH
er question. Are they MOI now entitled to
have their will embodied in permanent
statute
With these views. we. invite the friends
of Temperance to copy the annexed memo
rial or form one for themselves, and
circulate it thoroughly in all the towns and
school districts in the State. The Central
Committee do also ask, as favor, of the
Editors of the State, that they will conspic-
uousy insert both this address, and memorial
and they earnestly request that some in ev'
cry town will enter upon the business o
soliciting subscribers to the memorial as
soon as received. No time should be los
no effort spared to array the mass OF Yer
mont freemen on these petitions, Need
more to be said than that Vermont expect.
eUery one of her Temperance citizens TO Dc
HIS DUTY! Action, only ACTION, can en-
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
Central
Committee
of the
Vt. S. 7. S.

To tile Hon. Geaeral assembly of the
State Of Vermont, to be concerned at Mont
peiicr, on the ID Thursday in October, 4.
d. 1885,
The undersigned, lreemen and legal vo-
tiers in the town of
respectfully request your honorable body to
pass a law prohibiting the sale of intoxica.
ting liquors as beverage, and also giving
to justices of the peace jurisdiction to in
qure into and punish all violations of such
law, under such regulations and restrictions
as may be deemed expedient
(Dmcd) 1850.
10 Editors in Vermont are requested to
copy the above.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

WILLIAM S. MEssERvEY, son of Capt.
William Messervey, of this city, ha been
elected to Congress by the people Of New
Mexico, by 500 majority over Hugh Smith.
He removed from Salem to st. Louis, where
he resided for several years; then engaged
in the trade to Santa Fe and Chhua hua
was established in Chihuahua when the
war broke out was taken prisoner by the
Mevcans; released by Doniphan's exprdi-
ton accompanied that command to Gen.
TayIor,s line of operations made visit to
Salem and returned to Santa Fe after the
peace was established. He is young ma n
of ability and capable Of doing credit to tn e
new state, should he be allowed to take his
seat-Salem Register
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
GREEN. MOUNTAIN

from Florida, and from the post in Miss
ouri. We mentioned, day or two since,
the sending from New York OF $40 ,OOO
worth of provisions to New Mexico for the
subsistence of these troops.
1t needs not a powerful Imagination to
foresee in the event Of the threatened col
lision on that distant point, the beginning
of civil war, and beyond that dismal
sea of blood which no man should look up
on.
The Union considers this the most impor
tant week that has ever passed since the
formation of the government
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

Missouri ELEcTIoN.-The st. Louis
Republican of the 18th believes that the
delegation to Congress from that State VIII
stand four Wings to one Benton Free Sober
1t should be understood that all the Wing
candidates for Congress in Missouri we're
nominated, supported and elected as opPo-
nents of Free Soilism i'll general, and OF
Bentonsm in particular, and that all we're
proclaimed throughout the canvass as being
in favor of the compromise bill of Messrs.
Clay and Webster.-Bostsn Courier.
What means such announcements as this
(and the bunker wing papers all speak in
The same way ifB Benton is opposed to free
silsm, and the wing party is the only true
freesoiI party!-Ed.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

The Springfield Republican says it has
grown doubtful, since the dcoh Of Gen.
Taylor, whether the compromise was not
The best measure the country could obtain.
A great many wings began to "grow doubt
full" as to President Tayor's plan as soon
as they heard that his successor had a dit
ferent One-LOWcH Am.
Yes indeed-lhere never was a more hu-
initiating exhibition of abiect sycophancy
than, the conduct oIthe small wings in wheel
ing round and eating all their valiant words
against Webster and his treachery Hlsto-
ry can't match it.-BWHRgtOn Courier.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
ELECTION RETURNS.

As our paper is made up Tuesday evening,
we can only this week give the names ofthe few
Representatives elect that have reached us at
this early hour after the bulIoting.
'uonipeller, J, A. Vail, Wing.
.Nor4feid,--J. Gregory, free dem, gain, 30 mai
Harrington, II l4eaycnworth, Whg,
Hoodslock, Dr. Y. f. Powers, g"
1hddiebmy, Joseph Warner,
.ntdaieser. John Poor, free dem.
Bdrre'-M. EllI:, old line.
Berlin--E. II. Cogill, free dem. gain, 2G mai
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

TIE MACON CONVENTION "A telegraph
ic dispatch from the office of the Macon
(Georgia) journal, states tina at the Mass
meeting held in that city, there were about
1900 in attendance. Messnt Rhett of
South Carolina, Yancey of lt'bama, Col
quit and Stiles of Georgia, wer the prin-
cpol speakers. Disunion as openly
avowed Some of the delegates repudiated
it. Mr.. Rhett favored a tempora ry seces-
sion.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05

% Mr. Clay predicts that, ifTexas shall
include all the territory now claimed by
her, in thirty, forty or fifty years there will
be no slave State within her limits. Six
years ago Mr.. Clay said the same thing
that is, that, should two, three or four States
be formed out of Texas, they would ultlmte-
ly become free, --NOapdrid.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-05
BY u. r. [fLaOl1Pa0M>

NPAU Communications TO the Freeman,
whether Oh business of the paper, OF lof pub,,
cation. shoald be addressed, postpaid, TO tue
Editor.
The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1850-08-31

As Don AS the Message ri President ri
more was read in the House OF Representa-
,ivcs, Mr. Howard rose and said
Ga the present occasion desire To make
only very few observations on the mes
sage OF the President OF the / States II
is AS unfortunate rs 1t is extraordinary. II
can have no other tendency ut this critical
juncture Of public atIni. than to prevent an
adjustment OF this boundary controversy.
by defeating the passage of the bin intro.
dnccd into the other wing of the Capitol on
Yesterday BY the senator from Maryland,
which might, !" all probability, have been
SO amended M to have secured the rights of
Texas and the honor Of the South.
IN whn. attitude has the President, placed
the issue, in the communication which he
has made to Congress NJ 10 rexasi So
far as the right Of possession. il not the IL
tie itself, is concerned, all the country on
the east bank of tho Rio Grande is assumed
by the message to b. in the United States.
This possession, in exclusion of the juris.
dctiou Of Texas, the President declares he
will maintain by the military arm Of this
government
II is true that while he assumes that the
country, to the extent of the ancient limits
of New Mexico, belongs to the United
States under the treaty with Mexico. he rec:
ommends to Congress to make to Texas
liberal compensation in money for her
clam. lis draws the sword upon Texas,
and then calls upon her to cede her territory.
As one OF the representatives Of Texas,
never will vote, without positive instruc.
tons, to cede any porto" Of her territory,
while the sword Is thus pointed at her throat.
Nv no vote of mine sir. is the State TO be
coerced and overawed into a transfer Of her
territory and civil jurisdiction.
Sir, this message is nm artiul and studied
misrepresentation of the most material part
of the history Of the subject The Presi.
dent assumes that he Is doing no more than
to maintain the condition of things A. il *.
listed after the conclusion Of peace with
Mexico. lie remembers To forget that one
Of his predecessors, in February, lS47, IN
reply to the governor Of Texas, gave assn.
rance to that State that the temporary mill.
tnry government established there for the
purpose Of the war would cease on the con.
clusion Of a peace with Mexico. The Sec.
Rotary Of State, by order Of President Polk
gave to Texas the following pledge A. te
this military government:
ut !. merely such government ~ mus
exist. under the laws Of nations aud Of war
to preserve order and protect the rights o