Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1850-07-23
COMMITTEES REPORT.

lVh AAaAs ~ $500 1850
The Committee on Psrdon., to whom was
referred the petition Of J. W. Webster, a
conyic, under sentence OF death, praying in
behalf Of himself, aud he wife aud children,
the Governor and C0vncil to extend TO the
petitioner Communication Of the punishment,
awarded to him also a copy Of the records
Of the cour,, containing the trial and sentence
Of slid Webster, now report.
That, by said record, It appears that said
Webster vas regularly indicted for the muir
der Of Dr.. Parkman, and sct 10 the bar OF
the supreme Court, a, the March ierm-and
there having been inquired Of how he would
acquit himself concerning the premises, for
answer said no, guilty, and thereof Pu, him
sell upon the country.
Counsel vas assigned the prisoner, and on
the 10Th Of March following, was again soi
to the bar To he rucd \ jury ~as emPan-
nclled and sworn, and after foil hearing, on
their oa,hs declared that the said Webster
was guilty. And afterwards on the frs, day
Of April. IN said court, said Webster being
placed a, the bar for sentence, twas demand
cd Of him by said Cour, Il he had anything
10 saw wherefore sentence should no, b. pro
nounccd upon him, to which said Webster
nothing further answered.
Tbcrcupon 1t was considered by the court
that the said Webster he taken to the Jail
whence he came, and thence to the place Of
execution, and there be hanged by tic neck
until he b. dead.
Since the passing of said sentence, numcr-
Gus petitions and arguments have been pre-
,cn,rd, Tor the full pardon Of said Webster,
founded upon the belief ,ha, Webster never
committed even a homicide.
Tn the ID Of July, Rev. DIR. Putnam, by
appointment, appeared IN behalf Of Webster,
before the Committee on Pardons, AMI read a
confession made by said Webster, ackno~l-
cdrinr ,ha, he committed the homicide, and
a, the same time presented said Wcbsie:'s
petition fora communication OF the scn,enor
The petition and eoaicssiou Scrr supported
by an able argument BY DR.. Pu,nam.
To this confession and argument, and the
evidence supporting II, Nc have given our
most serious attention, and We have proceeded
to consider the same with hearts and minds
DESTROYS To know the truth, and our duty, and
with a firm pvrrO', 10 do 'rhai 10Th should 70
gnrs.
Il seems to your Committee tina, the sen.
icncc IN the case Of Webster, after a full and
fair ,rial, IN which all the facts and circum-
stances Of both sides, which could then b.
brough, to light. were patiently and thor
ourhly investigated, by ihc jury, and having
been fully affirmed, there appears to b. u"
ground Tor Executive inlerPositon, eNccP, II
NAV b. found in the subscqueu, confession Of
the prisoner.
IN this view, III. only questions are, ~ss,h-
er the statements made in the confession, are
- confirmed by "he: evidence, tina, they
ou,h. 20 5r received as true and II true, do
ius,iiy the Executive IN a oOmmutsl'on Of the
sentence.
To these questions the Committee, with no
un~llliuguess on their par, to come to an al.
hrmatl,c conclusion, Il they could do 80 with
a supreme regard To truth and J,'i'o'. But
after all the consideration which they have
been able To bssiow on this confession, they
feel constrained to say tina, the facts and CIR
cumsianccs IN the confession, have ne, been
~ confirmed by other evidence, as To form
suiIcien, basis for Executive interference.
To this painful cOn.lusion the committee
have unanimously come.
The Committee respectfully report, that
thcy cannot consistently with wha, they con-
ce,e to b. their duty, recommend conmu'
tatlon Of the --nirpcc ia the case Of John W.
Webster, a. prayed Tor m his petition.
Nothing now remains for the committee in
the discharge Of this painful duty, bu, To adj
,ise your E1ccllency to determine upon a
time for the execution, and they name FRI
DAY, THE TlIlRTlErH DAY OF
AUGUST, next, as the day, and recommend
10 YOUR Excellency to decide upon that day as
the time for the execution Of John W. Web
s,er. JOHN REED, Chairman.
Council Chamber, July 10, 1850.