The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-07-12
Webster,s PetitIon COZ Pardon.

Professor Webster. convicted of the murder
of DR.. Parkman, 10 the Governor and council,
which he withdrew previous to his comics
sion:
To HIS ErceHency Geo. W Briggs, and to
the Honorable Council Of the State Of
Massachusetts
Having been convicted before the supreme
judicial court of the murder of DR.. Parkman, |
would most respectfully and humbly petit
ton your Excellency and the Honorable
Council to be permitted to declare in the
most solemn manner, that | am entirely in
nocent of this awful crime that | never en-
tertaned any other than the kindest feelings
toward him, and that | never had any in
ducement to injure him whom l had so long
mum bered among my best friends.
To Him who seeth in secret, and before
whom l may ere long be called to appear,
would | appeal for the truth Of which now
declare, and also for the truth Of the solemn
declaration, that had no agency in placing
! the remains of a human body in or under my
room in the medical college in Boston, nor do
[ know by whom they were so placed-that
am the victim OF circumstances, or oil foul
conspiracy, or of the attempt of some indIvid-
ual to cause suspicion to fall upon me, infu-
enced perhaps by the prospect OF obtaining
a large reward.
When first charged with the dreadful
crime, did not publish to the world deciar-
alton of my innocence, or any explanations Of
the circumstances tending to bring suspicion
on me, solely in consequence of entire igno-
rance OF the cause. ought to adopt an i'm
pcit reliance in the calmer judgment of
others. had, however, prepared for pub
LEGATION a document to that effect; but as
there was a strong disposition from the first
IL misinterpret my every look, action, and ex-
Il L / 10
n me % preserve and maintain silence.
The document was, therefore, with no
struoole D., my part, withheld.
J, Immediate,'v upon my arrest, every means
was resorted to. he most trifllng appearances
Fl in nv laboratory. aid Insignificant crcum-
stances, to add TO the sEsp,cons and to per
vert them 10 my disadvantage
now pray your Honors that tie evidence
may be received by you, and that tie tes'i
e mony Of my wife may be heard and received
G as also my own statement and explanations
repeating in the most solemn and POSITIVE
. manner, and under the fullest sense OF my
! responsibilities as man and Christian
c that am lrhoIIy innocent Of this charge, Il
: the truth Of 1ehich the Teacher Of all hearts
as lgit7leSs.
| would humbly and respectfully pray tia
the privilege | have asked may be granted
e do this under the full belief that the testi
&c mony and explanations may aid would nov
10 offer are such as will dsprove many things
:, and impair very greatly the evidence Of a
, least two witnesses. and place in their tru
+ light circumstances now obscure.
In the state Of mind in which | WIS. sllenc
was constantly urged upOnmP, and | compile
., more strictly, perhaps than | ought to hav
!, done Every method Of poison g the publ
U mind, Of eXciing prejudice against me- wa
fol fol "a
in relations were daily dihused, and | sJon pei
of ceived that the contradiction Of one woul
lead to others, and that the refutatjous
= them all would be an endless task. | there
fore submitted in silence and resignation, bt
m, lieving that the time must shortly arriv
al when He who brngeth light out of darknes
bo would cause the truth to appear, and my il
nocence be made manifest to ALL
rs Had previously been aware OF the us
OF that was to be made of some circumstance
on my trial, to give an unjust and erroueol
impression, If unexplained, | should HAY
been provided with evidence to explain mo
Fa' satisfactorily. Some Of the statements re
p erenCes, and circumstances however c0u
err not be fully explained or disapproyed-uI
his fortunately | could not avail myself Of II
- proof TO do it.
q In this review of my case, your homo
Al will, | trust, find sufficient reasons for reve
sing the decision oil the court, and Tor the Il
terposition Of mercy. The knowledge of N
we feelings and habits, and of my various e
gagements and occupations both before al
5 after the disappearance of DR.. Parkma
eht have, from the first, been sufficient assuranc
ose to my afflicted family Of my innocence.
hat And now that their trust in Him who hi
sustained both them and me in our days al
nights ofsorrow and sadness has been shak,
by the unlooked-ior result of my trial, thu
let. would pray to be permitted to unite with n
arr their sole earthly dependent, in this petto
,ed believing that your ExceIlency and the no
al orable Council will find sufficient grounds f
granting TO me pardon, and of restoring
on them their husband and father, for which
most respectfully and humbly pray.
(Signed) JOHN w. WEBSTER.
Nr. Withdrawn on application of DR.. Webstt
,I'a June 4, 1850