Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-07-11
THURSDAY. JULY II. 1850.

of my rooms was to be had, the latter hypo
thesis being hardly less APPALLING than the
former. When found that we went over
Craigie's bridge, I thought the arrest most
probable. When found that the carriage
was stopping at the Jail was sure of my
fate; and before leaving the carriage | took
dose Of strichnine from my pocket and
swallowed it. l bad prepared il in the
shape of pill before left the laboratory
on the 23d. thought could not bear to
survive detection. Ithought it was large
dose. The state of my nervous system
probably defeated its action partially. The
effects Of the poison were terrible beyond
description. 1t was in operation at the
college, and beEme went there, but more
severely afterwards.
wrote but one Of the anonymous letters
produced at the trial--the one mailed at
East Cambridge.
The little bundle" referred to in the
letter detained by the jailef, contained only
bottle of citric acid, for domestic USE
had seen it stated in a newspaper that
had purchased quantity Of oraiic acid,
which it was presumed was to be used in
removing blood-slains. wished the parcel
to be kept untouched that it might be
shown, if there should be occasion, what il
was that had purchased.
have drawn up in separate papers an
explanation of the use intended to make
Of the blood sent for on Thursday, the 22d,
and Of the conversation with Li,tIe6eld a
bout the dissecting vault.
think that Pettee, in his testimony at
the trial, put too strongly my words about
haUing settled with DR.. P. Whatever
did say Of the kind was predicaied OH the
hope entertained that | should be able to
pacify DIR. p. aud make some arrangement
with him, and was said in order to quiet
Pattee, who was becoming FESTIVE under
the solicitations Of Dr.. Parkman.
After DR.. Webster had stated most Of
the facts recorded above, On the Odd Of
May, the questioner, with all the earnest
ness, solemniiy and authority that he was
master Of, abruptly addressed him in sub
stance thus: "Dr. Webster, in all proba.
bility your days are numbered. You can
not, you dare not, speak falsely to me now.
You must not die v it'll allie in your mouth,
and so prove to yourself that your repen'
lance for the sins of your life is insincere
and Intellectual. Tell me the truth then,
in confidence to be kept sacred during
your lifetime, and as much longer as my
regard for the happiness OF your family
shall seem to me to require, and the inter
est Of truth and justice to permit. Search
to the bottom of your heart for the history
OF your motives, and tell me before God
did 1t never occur to you before the de-
cease of DIR. Parkman, that his death, i
you could bring it 10 pass, would be grea
advantage to you, or that personal injury te
him might possibly be the result OF your
expected conference with him! As dy
ing man, charge you TO answer me truly
and exactly, or else be silent. Had yol
not such thought 7" mo, never" sait
he, with energy and feeling. As live
and as God is my witness, never. was nc
more capable Of such thought than one o
my innocent children. l never had the re-
hottest idea of injuring DR.. Parkman unit
the moment the blow was struck. DR.. p
was extremely severe and sharp-tongued
the most provoking of men; and am irri
tooiC anu pdsSiohoeS. n tuiOhuSsS duu VI
olence Of temper has been the beseiting sir
OF my life. was an only child, much in
dulged, and have never acquired the con
troll over my passions that ought to have
acquired early-and the consequence is
all this"
But you notified DR.. Parkman to NEE
you at certain hour, aud told him yor
would pay him, when you knew you hat
not the means Of paying him."
"No," he replied, :" did not tell him
should pay him; aud there is no evidences
that l told him SO, except my own word.
spoken after his disappearance, and after
had determined to take the ground that
had paid him. Those words were one o.
the miserable tissue Of falsehoods to which
was committed from the momentI began
to conceal the homicide. never had q
thought Of injuring Or. p"
DR.. Putnam then addressed the Governor
and Council, arguing ably that this comics
sion is true-he believed it to be true; ant
if true, justice would be satisfied by impris
onment for life instead Of the death Of The
r,rieooor