Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-06
From the Boston Journal, april /.
SENTENCE OF DIR. WEBSTER


The demeanor OF Professor Webster while waiting in
one OF the rooms OF the courthouse the time assigned
for the sentence, that of duly impressed with
the solemn ceremony about to be enacted He passed
to the window OF the room, and looking up to the sun,
remarked that in the day OF prosperity hardly
realized the nature of sins; that his sins had been
many, and that his trust was in the mercul God He
glad that he had been cut off in the midst OF
his SINS and that time for repentance had been granted
to him. He had nearly done with this world, and for
his own fate he was prepared except when he thought
OF his family. Here his fortude forsook him and he
exclaimed, "What will become of them?"
In coming down TO the court room he was seized
with trembling of the limbs, and the officer was obi
ged to support him.
From the Boston Mail, ApriI2.
In the days of prosperity hardly realize the
nature Of our SINS their magnitude. My sins have
been many but trust in mercitu God amlnearly
done with this world, and shall prepare myself tor the
fate that awaits me- But my family, what will become
Of them
Such was the language and exclamation of Professor
John w. Webster, on Monday morning, as he stood at
the window Of small in the court house, looking
upon the genial which ushered in bright and beau
tltul the first day Of April.
He was awaiting the opening of the Supreme Court
to receive his sentence murderer "What will be-
come OF my family " he again repeated, and his forth
tude, which had remained mistaken during the mental
and physical agony of his trial, forsook him. A mes
senger from the Sheriff then came in, and whispered to
officer Jones, who had the of the prisoner, Come
the Sheriff has notified me to conduct you in for SEN
tence" observed the officer, in voice which he en-
deavored to render firm. Webster rose with alacrity,
and took the OF the officer; but before they had
reached the bottom of the stairs at the entrance to the
court room, he seized with sudden weakness, and
was obliged to lean the officer for support. In this
way he conducted to the dock. Being seated he
closed his eyes, and allowed his head to fall forward,
resting upon the rail OF the dock Alter his sentence
and when ommitted his cell in Leverett street Jail,
the behaviour OF the doomed man was calm and self
possessed. He manifested no feeling OF unkndness to-
ward the witnesses who had appeared on the stand
k,f,n oil tn hr L..
mans testimony when he called at the house of witness
on Sunday, he thought the Doctor gave harsh version
Of his language and behaviour
From the Boston Post.
The sentence of Professor Webster for the murder
Of Dr. Parkman will be found the first page of the
daily and fourth page of the semi weekly. The stupi
fled appearance of the prisoner referred to in report
OF the proceedings is attributed to the use OF morphine
1t has been satisfactorily ascertaned that he did take
small portion OF very active poison at the time the charge
OF murder announced to him in Jail. His retlec-
tons upon his counsel in court Saturday, showed
how utterly incapable he was OF comprehendng the ex
igencies of his The evidence which he wished
them produce would not only not have strengthened
his defence but in respects would have corrobora
ted testimony for the prosecution That his counse did
for him all that the extraordinary circumstances admit
ted of, is conceded by all who witnessed the trial
throughout They had not one fact to rest on, beyond
his standing in society," general character tor the obser
vance of the duties OF social lite and his unconcerned
demeanor during the week OF the search tor Dr. Park
Yet under this paucity Of evidence for the defence.
Mr.. Merrck argued about seven hours with degree OF
force and ingenuity which completely surprised all who
understood the real difficulties of the His attacks
on the evidence were well conceived and vigorously
urged and the ingenious nierences ne suggested were
most deliberately and at the same time most spledly
argued Mr. Clifford the attorney general, labored
under difficulty OF very different character. HIS
facts were so numerous, and so many OF them were SO
nearly OF equal weight and significance, that it was
scarcely possible decide which precedence should
be oiu in the nrdp @
be presented as OF predomnatlng FORCE. And then
again, on account OF their number ne could not with
out greatly exceeding reasonable amount OF time or
an argument discuss the bearing OF each one In detail
with any degree OF fulness. Hence he was compelled
to dismiss many of them very abruptly after merely sug
gesting the point which they supported We believe he
closet as one OF the decisive not the most but
its bearing could not be made obvious without clear
array of many of the other circumstances, each one OF
which had to be commented upon.
The merit of Col. Cfford's argument was in the
marshaIling OF the facts, and the due apporonment OF
legitimate comment and plain practical Illustration IL
Mr. Merrcks argument upon Lilllenelos sceouh
ingenious and instinct with subtitle lnsnuatons, and
therefore easily met, Col Clifords exposition OF the
prisoners for disclosing his appointment with
the deceased was concusvey convincing, and the in
ference of innocence earnestly suggested from that
disclosure was absolutely annhilaed. On both sides
the display of forensic talent was exceedingly interest,"
ing Those who expected tremendous attack on Lit
tefeld were disappointed simply because his testimony
was reduced secondary importance in consequence OF
the accumulation OF evidence on points OF more ntrn-
sic effect than the circumstances narrated by him.
The charge of Chief Justice Show has been remarked
the very nature of the case 1t was impossible to
arrange the uncontroverted facts in any manner, and
suggest the legal and natural differences which followed
from them, withouas they say in court, making out
a case"
The judicious manner in which thejury proceeded to
consider the case after it was committed to them, was
calculated to inspire perfect confidence in the decs on
at which they arrived. ;,
DR. Websters family not prepared for the result,
which was not known to them until near noon on Sun
day The dreadful tidings communicated to them
BY Mrs William Prescott, Mrs Websters aunt. They
were overwhelmed by the shock, and heart rendng
were the shrieks and groans with which the terrible
announcement was received. In the afternoon. Pres-
dent Sparks of the University Ex-presldent Everett,
Judge FAY and other friends united in letter of SYM
pahy and coincidence with the family, and assurances
OF continuance ofthe respect and esteem with which
they had always regarded them.
Yesterday they were more composed, and in the al
ternoon Mrs Webster and three other daughters visited
him in jail He appears to be about the same as he
was before his trial.