Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-09-05

THE WEBSTER CASE.

,ed to the Executive of Massachusetts in
support of an application for a postpone
ineni Of Or. Webster's execution, III view
20 . further investigation Of facts bearing on
the credihili,y Of his confession aud the
gro unds Of commutng his pun ishment TO
that Of manslaughier.
The first is from n gentleman Of long
professional experience, ~hJ has recently
retired from the bench of the Supisme
Court of Louisiana. The second is from a
distinguished member Of the bai Of Rho!e
Island -
NEWPORT, ALg. 22, 1850.
DEAR Sir -
At your request, | will
state my impressions on the subject OF your
note, which may he regarded as The opn-
ion Of all roirssioual men in the Ct mI'un-
~ at New Orean-.
Mr.. Webstcr's confession contains The
truth il carrrs an internal evidence that
goes directly TO the heart. In II. see that
same human nature acting the part had
often seen it perform, during my loug ex-
peIience at the bar aud on the Bench.
The most that cin be made Of his offence
is mansaughter. 1t is incredible under the
circ instances of ths case, 'ha, it cou d have
been premeditated murder. Ile has en-
tangled himself in many contradictory state
men,s these do not prove his guilt he is
Struggling for lite /; herein | again recog'
tize that same human nature common 10
US all.
The first suspicion against him of the
higher crime, VAS universally propagated
by the press the pub ic mind 'st lis bal
ance /; lie was condemned before he Vas
tired.
To remove prejudice aud impant truth in
It's stead, is for the most part. hole ess
task. We at distance saw aud pitied his
si,ua,ion-Good men and honest all, never
theless, they have erred. The truth will
spring out ofhis grave. He will no sooner
the minds Of he people, and what appeared
10 be murder once, will now be seen to b.
merely homicide on a sudden quarrel be-
tween deb,ur aud creditor.
Had the attempt, said to have been made
by the deceased to borrow cane, been
disclosed at the trial, it would have in fallibly
given different direction 10 the verdict Of
tho Jury. Fortunate will i, be if the fact can
bc brought to light while it is yet time to
save his life.
have the honor to be,
most respectfully,
your obedent servant.
NEWPORT, Aug. Gath, 1850.
DEAR SIR =
Your note of this date, asking if have
''any objection to repeat in writing my con-
viction expressed to you last evening. in
conversation, that the taking Of DR.. PaIk-
mans life by DR.. Webster was unpremedi-
ta,el," has jus, been handed to Inc by MIR.
Blake. certainly have no objection TO re-
peat in writing what said TO you, as near
Iy as | can recollect il although, my opn-
ION has been formed upon such insufficient
data that do no, deem it Of any value in
comparison with the opinions of those who
are more intimately acquainted with all the
facts. The v hole conduct of DR.. Webster
hse been 81 strange, that perhaps While
am writing down my conviction that the
homicide was not premeditate] he, as sug-
gested in the Express Of last evening, may
be peuning confession that IL was premed-
i,a,ed aud prepared for.
My conviction ,hs, DR.. Webster DID moi
preneditate the homicide he perpetrsted is
fouudcd on the smp!e facts that he ap-
iolntef through the servant Of DIR. Park
mau the time aud place at which he killed
hun as the ua,e aud place Of their meeting
that tho time Vas o'clock. 7. NJ, aud
the ace Il pub ic lcetute room in a much
Tequenud d building, aud frequented too by
uum.bets familiar with the persoa Of DR.. p,
aud that he seemed TO have made no pIr-
psra,ion to dispose Of the body OF DIR. j
which il the deed had been prenedi,a!ed he
might 30 easily and Unexpectedly have
done. eanuo, conceive that sane mau
would pre,neJitatsly have committed homi'
eide with such stddious preparation for the
detection Of his crime, and none for the
coucrslment Of the DO ~ Of his viclim.-
Under the Circumstances, II is Ear easier to
bele,e that an irritable man like DR.. W,
Allied Dr.. P, 10 a passion which made him
forget the means Of detection which he
himself had prepared-than that premejI-
Eating the crimc, he pursued course so di.
ameui.ally opposed 20 What man Of