The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-07-30

tence Of the Court, as recommended by
| them.
In carefully and anxiously examining and
considering the case, do not feel authorized
by any considerat ons which have been pre-
seniced TO my mind, 10 set aside the delib-
crate verdict of the jury, arrest the s:lenn
decree of the law as pronounced by the
highest judicial tribunal of the Common
wealth, and disregard the opinion and ad-
vice of the Council If the circumstances
of the killing as stated by the prisoner. are
taken 10 he true, it may well be questioned,
whether the Executive Council could inter-
ierc with the sentence without violating the
settled laws Of the land. In his charge to
the jury, the Chief Justice says: "h IS
souied ruie that no prorocaiion 'rfi uords
oniu ciH jusJy mortal Jlo,o. Then, Dupon
provoking language, the party Intentionally
rerenge himself ,eih a mortal bior, ii rs IN
qtcsiionauy mrler.'
The only new fact brought 10 light as 10
the killing depends npon the void Of the
prisoner. 1t will hardly be pretended by
any one, that the declai alton OF a person uh-
der sentence of death should be permitted
to outweigh the doings Of Tie Court and J"-
rv. and rescue him from the consequences
which are to follow their proceedings 1t Is
candidlv stated by DIR. Putnam, in his able
i..- -,.nrol pT the npfltlOnS
presented in favor of the commuiation' re-
ceivcd since his confession, that, standing rs
he does the word of the prisoner is entitled
to no credit.
If the circumstance. disclosed on the trial
are relied on 10 support his statement 'he
reply is, that those Circumstances were urg-
ed in his favor before the Jury, and they
have decided against him. The facts oi tins
appalling case are before the word-they
will hereafter fill one Of the gloomiest pages
in the record of crime amongst civilized men
lis undisputcd that on the 2Sd day oil
November. 1919, John White Webster,
Professor in Harvard University, and IN the
Medical College in Boston, did at midday
in his room, in that college, within few ieet
of the place where he daily stood and delN-
cred scientific lectures 10 large class OF
vounr men, with an unlawful violence take
the life of DR.. George Parkman, respec'a'
Lle citizen of Boston. who had come 10 that
room at the repeated request Of the SAID
prisoner and that after taking his life, he
eyisceratcd and in manner most shocking
to humanity, mutlated the body of his VIC
tim, burning parts of it in furnace and de-
posting other parts of it in different places
in the building, where they were found by
persons who were seeking after Dr. Park
man that after killing him, he robbed his
ifeless creditor, by taking from him two
notes of hand, signed by himself, TO which no
had no right, and committed still another
crime, By making false marks upon those
notes and that jury of his country, en-
nannelled according 70 law, under the dircc-
ton of four of the five eminent Judges con-
stitu,inc the Supreme Court Of Massachu-
sct,s, after long, patient, and impartial til-
al, and after hearing in his defence the ar
puments Of learned and eloquent counsel,
upon their oaths, found him guilty Of murder.
Upon that verdict, the Court pronounced
the awful sentence of death. In such case
there should be obvious and conclusive f'as-
ons to authorize the pardoning power to in,
terpose and arrest the sword OF justice |
do not see these reasons. The combined
circumstances of the case force me TO the
conclusion, that the safety Of the community
the nviolabiliiy of law, and the principles OF
impartial justice demand execution OF the
sentence.
hope it is not necessary for me to say
that it would have giren me unspeakable
pleasure to come TO different result, and
that | would do anything on earth in my
power, short of violating duty, 10 alleviate
the suiIerings of crushed and broken-Leart-
ed family.
GEO y. BRIGGS.
Council Chamber, 10Th July, 1850.