Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-05
(Copy.)


REV. Dr. PARxMaS. Dear Sir:--I cannot
leave this world in the peace Of mind for which
] pray, without addressing you as head of that
family which have so deeply injured and afflici-
ed, to make known to you and them the bitter
anguish of soul, The sincere contrition and pen
itehce have felt at having been the cause OF
the affection under which you and they have
been called to mourn. | can offer no excuse
for my wicked and fatal e5ullilIon of passion
but what You already know, nor would attempt
to pailiate 1t.
had never, until the two nr three last inter-
views with your brother, fel: towards him any,
thing but gratitude for his many acts OF kind
ness and friendship. That should have allow
ed the feelings excited on those occasions to
have overpowered me so to involve the life Of
your brother, and my own temporal and eternal
welfare, | can, even now, hardly realize.
| may rot receive from you forgiveness in this
world yet cahnot but hope and believe you will
think Of me with COMPASSION, and remember me
in your prayers TO Him who will not turn away
from the humble and repentant Had many
lives, with JOY would | lay them all dow n,
could |, in the least atone for the injury have
done OF alleviate the affection have caused /;
but can now only pray for forgiveness for my
self and for every Consolation aud blessing up
on every member of your family.
| In justice TO those dearest To me, ! beg to as
sure you, and | entreat you to believe me, no
one Of my family ha the slightest doubt OF my
innocence up to the moment when the contrary
was communicated to them by DR. Putnam
That they have your sincere pity and sympathy
| feel assured.
There is no family, towards every member of
which have always felt greater degree OF re-
spect and regard than that of which you are now
the head. From more than one have received
repeated acts OF friendship and kindness, tor
which have ever been and am most truly CRATE
full.
Towards yourself in particular have not only
my own feelings been those OF the most sincere
regard and gratitude. but every individual OF iuy
family has et towards you that you were their
pastor ard friend. Often has my wife recalled
the interest you look in her from her first becom-
ing your parlshioner, and oficn has she spoken,
with feelings OF deep gratitude, OF the influence
OF your public ministrations and OF your private
instructions and conversations, anu of your d.
rection Of her inquiries AID reading 10 what re-
lated 10 her religious views. These she has
often recalled and referred to, as having firuly
established the rell- ious faith and trust which
are now such sources OF consolation and support
to her and our children, as well as to myself
Nothing that has occurred has weakened
these feelings and although those leave behind
me may not meet you wItlou. the keenest angu.
ish, trust you will exonerate them from any
participation In, or knowledge Of the fathers SID,
up to the moment ! have mentioned, and NAV
you remember them in your prayers 10 the Faith
er of the fatherless and the widows God.
lbeg you, my dear sir, to consider this strictly
a private letter, and by no means to give it pub
licly; at The same time | will request you to
make known 10 the immediate members Of your
family the state Of my feelings and my contri-
ton.
That every consolation and blessing may be
vouchsafed to yourself and to every member of
your family, is the heartfelt prayer Of,
Yours, most respectfully,
(Signed) J. W. WEBSTER.
|-IfansuiPk