New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-08
CASE OF DELLA WEBSTER.


short time since we published brief account Of the
escape of this lady from guard employed to watch her
while under arrest snd when Ill that she could not be
removed 1t appears that che indicted some years
AGO. in Fayette County, Ky for stealing or noducng
number of slaves and upon that Indictment convicted
ard sent to the Peniientay But we will let her tell her
own story which she does through tke columns OF IAe
Madison 1pdl Banner, of the 4lh instant. She says:
Some three or four weeks ago. removed my residence
from the State OF kentucky to the city OF Madison and
determined il could sell my farm without toa % muen
offered my place on Ky Hill for sale. On the loh
june went to my kentucky residence the wax wax
was TOO much for me- have been feeble and takug
medicine most ofhe time since my release from the Bed
ford ia; and before reached there, was taken SICK
and he'd to be helped TO the house; oon.,o,,o
On the l9h while still confined TO my beu cohs'aoie
came 10 arrest me upen warrant ISSUED by Mr. bNer
Justice of the Peace in Lexington Fayette county, N.Y.
upon the efdayi. OF VIM. ba sta',ng NM on W. Wter
Of September, ls4., ten years ago. Dea A. Webster
eloneousy eDticed and seduced slave womah Harriet
from her lawful owner, Patterson Bain. ,-.....
bascr fasefood never was uttered hau he'er soo"
that woman before her escape. -
Iwns arrested for tie offence IN 1914, anu some-
time after my commitment, an indictment was naae % u"
CHARGING ne with entcng away the husband, wie ana
ehld Fearing they could not make out case, thcy
sfterwaId changed tie form of the indictment putting n
arce separate indictments, for each individual Ny
torreys having no of conviction, introduced no
witnesses whatever. was confined to my bed Elk weeks
with fever, ard puch Of mat lime was hot expected 70
survive from day to another. My Illness caused
Us stated by their physicians by my not being allowed
pure air As soon az sufficiently recovered, went in TO
ns without the slightest preparation ana was CONVICTED
long time the jury hung. At length, wearied wth Their
absence fcm hcie, he trial being five days IN progress
son they ag,esd TO render verdict against provided
their would forthwith address urgent letter TO
the Guvelnor, Ilaying an immediate pardon before
,kould enter the penenary and every shJuu
scn lis pane The petition This was done peioie tsey
len the iuly-roOm and re letter prest ned me Ia court
BY the foreman as they returned with the verdict
Their own citizens then came forward and made a'hda
v,.. az. ma
for new trsl But the Judge was tnie"t.he uPY', ns
b,rch that, II he granted new trial, he should be
corpse before he could reach hs door, Dss S ta'nsa l
tmid man. the motion oyerruled; bat he tod me
might app oin my time for going 10 Frankfort; /
yet the zine days ahead by the advice OF the non
Henry Clay, Gen Lese Combs and otheFs, WAC %hue
time TO see the Governor and get him to respite ine sen
tenoe IN order that nigh; have te! upon the o'heF III
Cciments.
They hssened to Frankfort and gave the facts TO the
Governor who decided once to grant The respite and
told them TO call next morning and he would have the pa
pors all made out and signed
My enemies in Lexington, apprehend:g something Of
the Kind forced TO take the morning train of cars and
go to Frankfort on rreience that could 20 the hotel
and there stop 10 see my lawyers.
/ have been in Frankfort before and when thought
they were taking 10 the hotel they sealhy carried
me to the penltentary, and my lawyers knew nothing
about til laic in the night. II too late for the
respte to be OF any avail. After remaining there six
weeks was pardoned out by Gov. Owsley. then urged
and entreated for trial upon this indictment but the
Governor said 81 was iiegally convicted and falsely
"mprisoned that there was legal indictment against
me and that it Was wrong that should have any further
trouble and expense and said that he should at
"dismiss these Indictments. And he also assured my
father that ho need have apprehension In elsto
10 ,Lem the Governor said he had received multitude
letters and petitions for my release of which
signed by every member Of the Legislature and thai the
"mnss oi tLe community exceedingly anxious for
"my release" Now that old Indictment is
I.cscd ard brought against by the malice of Newton
Cisg, the wardsnof the pententary at Frankfort.
The motives Of his malice, as account for
II IN few words first that he experienced decided
,4ske and totally failed 10 have hs ungentlemanly and
ulcypzed desires accommodated and nsx, that was
wiling TO have him visit my house under the pre-
ienss Of seeing bis children whom he had BY previous
eorTac', engaged 70 keep under my tuition for certain