New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-22
CASE OF PROFESSOR WEBSTER.
Refusal of The Council TO Commute the Pun
ishment Of Deaih-Day Of Execution Fixed

Prom the Boston Traveller 10Th.
The Governor and Council met this morning,
when unanimous report from the Committee OF
Pardops against communion of the punishment OF
death in the case OF Professor Webster, for the
murder Of DR.. Parkman, was presented. This re-
port was accepted by the Council, one member
Mr.. Copeland Of Norfolk, voting in the negative
Friday, August thirtieth was fixed as the day OF
execution.
Below we give the report Of the Committee on
Pardons, and the address Of the Governor to the
Council
COMMITTEES REPORT.
The Committee ON Pardons, to whom was re-
feued the petition OF John w. w Webster, convict
under sentence Of Death, praying IN behalf oil MN
self and his wife and children, the Governor and
Council to extend 70 the petitioner Communication
Of the punishment awarded ~ him also copy OF
the records oil the Court, containing the trial and
sentence OF said w ebster and also sundry other
peutions and arguments referring TO- or In support
Of the petition OF said Webster-now report
That by said record, 1t appears that said w Oh
ster was regularly indicted for the crime Of the
murder of DIR. George Parkman, aud set to the
bar vi the Supreme Court at the March Term
thereof A. ID. 1s50-and there having been in
CURED OF how he would acquit himself concern
ing the premises, for answer, said he was not
guilty and thereof put himself upon the country
Counsel was tbereupon assigned to the prisoner.
On the 10Th of March following said Webster was
again set to the bar to be tried Jury was EN-.
psnpeled and sworn, and after full hearing, their
oashs declared that the said John w. Webster
Vas guilty And theresiterwards, viz on the lst
day Of April in said Court said Webster being
placed at the bar for sentence, ii was demanded of
him by said Court II he had nything 10 say where
fore sentence should not be declared upon the prem
hes and verdict aforesaid. To which said Webster
nothing further answered.
oro1h xyf he nof
the said John w. Webster be taken TO the Jail
whence he came, and thence to the place Of execu-
ton, and there be hanged by the neck until he be
dead
Since the passing said sentence by said Court,
numerous petitions and arguments have bsen pre-
scented To the Executive for the full pardon Of said
Webster, founded upon the belief and presumption
that he never committed even homicide. Recent
events, however, relieve the Committee in a great
measure nom the consideration Of all such argu
ments and petitions.
On the I'd Of July, A. d. 1850, the Rev. DR.. Put
nam, by appointment appeared in behalf of said
Webster, before the Committee on Pardons and
road a confessioDEmade by said Webster ackuowl.
sdgiDg that he committed the homicide, and decar
ing the manner and circumstances thereof, and at
the same time presented said Websters petition
for n Communication Of the sentence Aforesaid. The
petition aud confe ssion we're supported by an able
argument by DIR. Putnam.
10 this comics sion aud argument and all argu-
ments and evidence supporting II, we have given
cur most serious and an xious attention, and we
have proceeded 20 consider the same with hearts
apd minds desirous 10 know the TRUTH and our duty
and with frr purpose 10 do pkat both should
svsvws.
IL seems TO your Committee that the sentence
IN the case Of said Webster, having been passed
by the Court after full and fair trial. in the course
OF which, oil the facts aud circumstances which
could then be brought to light, were patiently and
thoroughly investigated and weighed by the Jury
and having been fully affirmed, after O careful
rsvision Of the law upon trial, since had by the full
Court, on solemn argument OF both sides there ap-
pears TO be no ground for Executive interpositon,
except Il may be found In the subsequent confession
q the prisoner.
In this view, the only questions, as it seems to
us are whether tie statements which said Web
s,er now max es in this Confession, OF the manner
and circumstance OF the homicide, are 90 confirmed
By otherevidence, or 80 intrinsicsy probable, that
they ought to be received astrue and II true, wheth
or they justify thet Executive in Communication OF
ne ppnishment
TO these qaeations, the minds OF the Committee
have been most carefully directed, and, as they
trust With 10 unwiliingness on their part 10 come
% an Affirmative conclusion IL they could do so con-
sistently With q sspveus regard 10 frrfh and JUS
Nee, But after al the considerations which they
have beer able TO bestow upon this oonsssion, and
under the light Of the evidences and comments sith
which il has been acoompsn ed and supported they
Eel copstfaiped TO say that the eec. has not been
such az TO sstisfy their minds that the position Of
the case 10 materially changed.
in o,ber wards, the palhasing facts and eircum-