New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-25
Whig Caucus ut Albany.

Special DispatchtO The Tribune.
ALBANY Friday, Jan. 24-9P.M.
The Wing Members of the Assembly
held a friendly conference this evening to
consult as to their future action on the sew
eral series of Resolves presented to the
House relating to Slavery, the Comprom-
Use, &c. All sections of the Wing party
were present. Their conclusions, if any
were arrived at, have not transpired, but
it can hardly be doubted that harmony of
feeling and action will be promoted by this
meeting. BRowN.
COnfessiOu Of Dunbar the Murderer.
Special Dispatch to The Tribune.
ALBANY, Friday Eve. Jan. o.
The following letter from Rev. DR..
Beecher appears in the Erening Journal of
this afternoon
Mr. EDIToR-Dear Sir: When you asked of
me some weeks since, the truth Of the rumor then
in circulation that Reuben A. Dunbar had made
confession to me, was not at liberty TO state to
you all that then had been made known to me.
When person accused OF great crime makes
TO another q confidential communication in rela-
ton 10 that crime, prudent man naturally de-
sires time TO compare that communication with
other facts, Of which he may have possessed him.
self in other ways. and of further proving the full
of the revelation and of proving the sincerity
with which it is made. Influenced solely by a
sincere desire to allay all unnecessary excitement
in the public mind and at the same time leave the
prisoner in the best position for making the prepar
alton so necessary for his future place, have en-
tirely RETAINED till now of making any communi-
cation to the public. i am now In position aud
the near approach of the day Of execution would
seem to demand it of me to state a few things
which the community, and especially those
faithful men who were called TO act as Jurors
upon the trial, ought to know before the final
execution Of the law. On the night of the goth of
December, Reuben A. Dunbar made to myself
full, frank, and unqualified confession of the muir
der Of David L. Lester, and Stephen V. Lester
on Saturday the 2eth day of September This
confession, the details Of which extends to nearly
20 letter sheet pages was taken down, and after
being twice carefully corrected and copied, was
finally signed by him on Saturday, December
2lst, and at his request, sealed and laid carefully
aside, with permission TO publish after his death.
As by his written request, have recently given
the duplicate OF that confession to another person
to be given TO the public at such time, and under
such circumstances as he may deem best l am
relieved from all responsibility in reference 10 the
copy thus delivered and absolved from the promise
TO preserve the secret of its existence. / am in
formed however that it will be given to the pub.
lie Immediately after his execution. His manner
Of making the confession, his apparently sincere
sorrow for his enormous and unnatural crime, and
his appearance generally when subjected to the
severest tests, which it has been in my power to
apply, have left on my mind the impression that
the confession is fully and strictly true. The
prisoner devotes himself with much apparent
earnestness to the work of making preparation
TO die,-professes sincere penitence for his guilt
and bis willingness to satisfy the dem ands Of jus
tire hv ha of Thofh
lance may prove sincere, and that others may be
warned by his example, is the ardent wish and
daily prayer Of Yours, very sincerely.
LUTHER +. BEECHER