The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-04-05
Trial of Doctor webster.
By Telegraph for The Daily Lancaster Gast

Chief Justice Shaw remarked To the prisoner
that il he had anything to say to the Jury before
he made his charge, lie now had the liberty to
do it.
The prisoner arose aud addressed the Jury in
few words. He commenced in rather confused
manner, without addressing either the Bench or
Jury. lie said | had decided to enter into an
explanation of the completed network OF circum
stances, which in my peculiar position the CIV
ernment has thrown around meand which in nine
cases out of ten have been distorted aud probably
nine-tenths Of which could be explained satisiac'
torily. But all the points Of the testimony had
been placed in the hands ofmy counsel,by whom
my iniIocense thought could have been finally
established, aud acting entirely under their d.
rection have sealed my lips during my contne-
ment trusting myself entirely TO them
They have not deemed it necessary in their su
perior wisdom (tIis he said in an ironcal sense,)
to bring forward the evidence which was to ex-
onerate me from variety OF their acts
The Government have brought whatever con-
summate ingenuity could suggest against me and
hope it will not have any undue influence on
the Jury
will not uude to many Of the charges. There
l. one that touches me, and that is the letter pro-
dnced and it is not the frstI have read in the
daily prints which are distributed in my apart
ments. One stating that had alter the dsap.
pearance of DR.. Parkman. purchased quantity
of cxulic acid to remove the stnins Of blood, and
instantly it occurred that this parcel might be
saved and produced when necessary. For sew.
chase::sonc acids for her use aud as my wife had
repeatedly laughed at me because had not pur-
chased it, | had borne it in my mind that after
noon and had gone into Shayer's store in the Re-
we're House and had made the purchase and wait,
ell until the Cambridge omnibus came along
when jumped into it and went home and gave
the bundle to my vile, and when afterwards
heard so much said about the bundle, it flashed
on my mind in moment that this must be it.
It was to this bundle aud not TO my documents
that referred to in my directions to my vile.
Inregnrd to the Copperas in the usual lecture
proceeding my arrest had occasion to use the
iunscTye 0rclemicalagents in producing changes
olvnrions subjects, among others upon gasses. /
prepared large quantity Of oxaic acid gas, a
gallon jar was filed in order to produce the chang
rs from dark colors to orange aud also in air, on
great heat being applied to the jar if the gas
was drawn through water.
AS TO the nitrate Of copper. all on the stairs and
l"or oftIe labaralory was spilled accidently from
ii quantity used in my lectures between the day
Of Dr.'Parkman's disappeance and my own arrest.
| might 60 on and expain variety OF circum,
stances which have been distorted. My counsel
have pressed me tn keep calm, my calmaess ha
been made to bear against mel but my trust has
been in my Gld aud my own innocense. In re
gard to the money must say word The mo
ney which paid To DR.. Pdrkman on the after.
noon of Friday, November 20, had saved up
from time to time aud kept it in trunk in Cam
bridge. but unfortunately no one ever saw Inc
tuke it ont, Therefore can only give my word
thnt such is the fact.
Several ye,rs ago h ID stu lents who were in
the habit oIbens in my laboratory, who injured
my apparatus, therefore prepared everything tor
my own use in Lectures with my own hand and
that is the reason why excluded persons lrun
my laboratory,
As regards my whereabouts from the hour o
DR., Parkman's disappearance, have put into my
counsels hands satisfactory information which
will account for every day hive spent during
that week. iorevery day aud every hour. As to
being seen by Mrs. Sanderson, was at home ev.
cry evening. One thing that was omitted by the
counsel was on ihe Friday on which the alleged
murder was suid to have been committed. l hui
purchased Humbuldts new work aud while wait
ing for an omnibus stepped iuto Brygam's tt
take mutton chop. On coming out to tuke the
omnibus, had forgotten my book and after IN!
arrest remembered the place where had leI
it. ! mentioned it 10 my counsel they had sen
to Mr. Brygan's and the book had been found
lie then took his scat, but in u moment ros
aud said will say Que word more. have fol
very much disturbed by the production Of thos
anonymous erers, more so than by anything tina
has occurred during the trinl. call my God Il
witness that il it was tho last hour o my life.
believe That never wrote those letters,-Sinc
the trial commenced, letter has been receive
from this very "Civis" by ono of my counsel.
this person has spark Of humanity, | call upo
him to come forward The notice to this elTeC
has been put in the papers.
Professor Webster hrving said this sn. dowr
deep impression was nude upon the Jur,
Court and spectators by tho solemn enrnestne'
exhibited by The prisoner in his remarks
Chief Justice Shaw then arose to deliver IA
charge to the Jury remarkiug that he had though
; proper to continue the proceedings as far as I
deliver his charge in the case to them, becans
the nature OF the principles developed in tn
proceedings were such as would not require hiI
: to occupy their attention much longer time
Having concluded his chlrso the jury retired I
twenty minutes before II o'clock r. NJ.
There was n movement ut the door Of th
Court room. A number of gentlemen came il
among them the Counsel tnr the prisoner, nun
/, wv vi lHo iuiSVuSH "u
Clergyman, the galleries being crowded to eIces
Prof W came in, in charge Of a constable, an
took his seat in the dock His appearance WI
unchanged exccpta serious detection which wi
= apparent in the contraction Of tho muscles abo,
; his mouth.
The Court came in II few minutes allerward
!. and tue Clcrk addressing the Jury oskod IL
Foreman whether they had agreed upon the
% verdict