The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-31

SSuScu "ilS uiofihug, " null past III O'CLOCK.
lie seemed penitent, and after making full con-
fession Of his guilt, died without struggle. In
his speech upon the gallows, he adjured those
who heard him, to seek their own salvation.
The following was Parsons speech on the
gnllows:
81 should like to say a few words. Be pre-
pared to die, my friends; seek salvation. This
is the happiest death of any, if only prepared to
die. Ihope and trust in God, and TINT am go
ing TO be with Him in heaven. recommend you
all to the holy word of God, and pray that we
may all meet in heaven"
The following is his own confession:
II wish to unburden my soul, and free my
conscience of whatever l ought, with all my
heart, and under the eye of my Maker, who will
Judge me soon. | declare as follows truly of
the death of my wife, Martha B. Pearson, and Of
my two twin children, Sarah and Lydia. con-
TESS that myself alone took their lives, on the
morning of 18th April, l849, between the hours
of two and four O'Clock. This is the time as
nearly as can recollect, and these are the prin-
cipal circumstances On the 10th of April,
drank ale to excess Invent to my brother Henry's,
in Bromfield street; took an umbrella, kissed
my daughter Melliss, told her was going to
Providence, and parted then.
went down fremont street and Temple
place, to a club house, and got pack Of cards:
then struck over to Providence Depot and left
them; went to Boyleston street, and obtained
shoe knife at a shoemaker's; then obtained
vial OF Laudanum ut an Apothecary' then went
to Merryman street, and got a bottle Of gin,
then went to the Lowell Depot, and left in the
cars for Wilmington think about six o'clock,
when arriving at Wilmington, / asked when the
cars left for Boston. In the morning, answered
Snn md I'D Dofb Grla r
left for my house, where my wife and two chill
dren were living. l went over through the
woods, and Supplied with liquor got lost It
was a kind Providence to hold me back, not
knowing where Twas.
When got through, looked around for some
time, and saw my barn. saw light in my
house, raped on the window-Martha came
and said" Who's there ?'--Danie Jansweed
She came to the door and let me in sat down,
and she got me a cup of tea, and / took supper.
Shortly after she retired. Iset up little while
by the stove. Then went to bed with my wife,
got up, went out, and returned again to bed
between two and four o'clock. ! did the fatal
deed after the first thrust, which think did not
wound her. Martha got the knife away from
me, know not how, and held it by the handle,
1t was hard to get it again; and in the dark
seized the blade in my hands, and wrenching,
split the handle, aud got the blade from her.
If the handle had not broken, the deed might
not have been done. In doing this my hands
were cut badly Ithen overcome her, and in the
struggle she cried out, 20, Daniel, Daniel, don't
murder me-murder, murderw Ipierced herin
the neck. After she was pierced, she got on the
floor from the bed. She cried, 40 my God r
Bleeding, she fell on the floor and died.
Do not know how the pillow came under her.
Sarah slept on the bed with my wife. She awoke
and cried pierced her also in the neck, and
she died. Lydia awoke, crawled upon the bed,
saying something and laughing, | believe.
neck and this lamentable deed was finished. How
could have done it ali' a9
Now acknowledge, as have often and re-
peatedly, that Martha, my wife, gave me no cause,
neither in any manner nor at any time, for doing
this deed. ] was not jealous of my wife. All
her children, without doubt, were mine. She
was good woman, and deserved well of me; I
cannot tell why did the deed, except that was
led away.
Before leaving the house, kindled light to
dress me- left my wife on the floor, having
placed the knife in her hand, the children on the
bed, the laudanum by her on the table, with the
cards and notes; one of when signed, intend
ing to make the impression that Martha, after de-
stroying the children, had herself committed sui
side.
Then going out of the back door, crossed
the woods to brook, and there washed my per-
son from my wife and childrens blood. | then
changed my shirt, which was torn in the struggle,
and Bloody.
The blood on my clean shirt sleeve was my
own blood. After wiping myself with the shirt
which ] took off, rolled it up, carried it to
Boston, and sunk it in the water just below the
Providence depot
(Signed) DANIEL H. PEARSON
About one hundred persons witnessed the ex-
cution Alarge crowd was collected on the
outside of the jail--some of whom clambered
on the roofof the adjoining houses, and disturbed
the funeral exercises by their Economical shouts
Two well dressed young ladies before the priso-
ner left his cell, entered the Jail yard, assembled
the gallows, and inspected, with looks of great
curiosity, the implements ofexecution Several
other females were admitted to the jnl yard, to
witness the execution. Upon the scaffold
Pearson read his bible with great apparent de-
votion. When the cap was drawn over his face,
he appeared to be engaged in prayer. He as
cended the steps of the galows with firm step,
and as he walked upon the drop, gave last look
at the sun and the scenes around him. His body
was taken to Wilmington, his native place and
the scene of the murder, for burial. He lost all
hope of arepreve after he had heard of the result
of the case OF Professor Webster.
IFThe Charleston Mercury makes the fol-
lowing caustic comments on the late commenta-
ries on Mr.. Rhett's speech:
Nh. RHErr.-The speech of this distinguished
Carolinian at the late meeting in Charleston, has
raised terrible dust among the political rubbish
in Washington. Mr.. Clay was thrown into STIR
rits and fts"-Mr. Foote pressed his two hands
on his bosom, and looked sick, and the Union
turned up the white Of its gander eyes in speech
less amazement. After while they all three re-
covered their speech, and great sputtering fol-
lowed. Mr. Clay's part in the scolding has been
already briefly reported. twas coarse, nsolent,
and, far as it had any meaning, just as applica-
BILE to the resolves of the Legislatures Of at least
half dozen States, as TO Mr.. Rhet. They have
oil equally asserted the right and the determine
ton to resist at all hazards and to the last extre-
nifty, the unconstitutional and ruinous designs of
the free soil party. Mr.. Rhett may believe these