Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-09
,vrpsrrp,s PETITION FOR PARDON.

WEBSTER'S PETITION FOR PARDON.
The following is a copy OF the petition OF Professor Web
ser convicted Of the murder of Dr. Paknan to the Cover
nor and Council which he Withdrew previous 10 the sa'e
ment above made:
To His Ercelency George w. Briggs and 10 the Honorable
Council Of the State of Macsuchnsetts.
Having been convicted before the Supreme Judicial Court
of the murder Of DR. Parkman would most respectfully
and hunby petition your Exce'ency and Inc honofaoic
Council 10 be permitted declare in the most solemn man
ne- that am entirely Of this awful crime that
never entertained any than the kindcst feelings TO-
wards him. and that never had any nducement to innre
him whom had so long numbered among my best friends
10 Him who seeth in secret and before whom may eie
no no called on TO appear would al peal for the truth OF
which now declare and also for the truth OF the solemn
declaration that had agency IN placing the remains OF
human BODY in or under my In the Medical College IN
Boston nor do know BY whom they were so placed That
am The victim of circumstances or Of foul conspiracy
or of the attempt Of some individual TO cause suspicion 70
fall upon me- Influenced perhaps oy tue prospect VI oo
Ing a large reward 49, ,,,
lsh TO the world declaration Of my innocence or any e1
plantations of the circumstances tending to bring suspicion
on me- solely in consequence OF entire ignorance oil The
cause sought adopt implicit reliance IN the caef
Judgment OF others had howeve prepared ior pue1a
disposition from the first misnterpre my every LOOK
action and expression il deemed advisable Tor me
10 preserve ana maintain silence.
The document vas therefore, win n struggle OH III!
part, withheld -a
Immediately upon my arrest, every means was resored
VI
nhcan, circumstances 10 add 10 the suspicious and 10 per-
vert them my disadvantage.
now pray your Honors that the evidence may be received
BY you and that the testimony OF my wife may be hearo
and received as also statement and explanations
repeating the solemn and positive mbnne and I'M
der fullest OF responsibilities as man and
Christian that ehoy innocent Of this charge, 10 ne
truth of uhict the Ssarcter Of all hearts is nitness
would humbly and respectfully pray that the privilege
have asked may be granted do this under the full belief
that the testimony and explanations may and would now
offer are sucn will disprovc things and impair very
greatly the evidence OF al least two witnesses and place IN
their true linht, circumstances now obscure
In the OF mind in which was, silence was con-
stany urged upon me, and complied more strictly per-
maps than ought 10 have done Every method Of poison
ing the public mind Of exciting prejudice agains, me- was
fesored ialschoods mpuaiion5 and abcatlons were
daily dnsed and perceived that the contradiction oi
would lead 10 others and that the refn'aons oil tneH
all would be an endless task therefore submitted in silence
and resignation believing that the time shortly arrive
when He who bngeth light OF darkness would cause
the truth appear and my innocence DC mace manifest 10
all.
Had previously been Of the that waste be
made OF some circumstances my trial. 10 give unjust
and erroneous impression if unexplained should have been
provided with evidence explain satisfactorily. Some
Of the sta ccn references and circumstances however,
could not be fully explained dsprovrd
could not avail myself Of the proof 10 do il.
In this Of my case your Hono.s Will trust mo
sufficient reasons for reversing the decision Of the court and
the incrpos,ion OF The knowledge OF feel
ngs and habits aud OF various engagements and occu-
paons both before and after tho disappearance Of Dr. Park
man. have from the first been sufficient 10 my
afflicted family Of my innocence.
And now that their trust in Him who has sustained both
them and in days and nights OF and sadness
has been shaken the unlocked for result of nv trial. they
would pray be permitted 10 unite with me- their sole earth
" dependent In this petition believing that your Exceency
and the Honorable Council will hnd sufficient grounds for
granting 10 me pardon and OF restoring them their hus
band and ilhe for which respectfully and humby
riay (Signed) JOHN W. WEBSTER.
Withdrawn application Of DR.. Webster, June i,h 1850