New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-19

my feelings under present circumstances,
the agony OF thought, the lonesomeness.
the unceasipg exactiOne regularly from day
to dav, and again my non-cOmplicity in the
affair which sent me here, are sufficient OF
themselves to almost drive me crazy.
hope that you will not neglect to an
swer my questions, as they are earnestly
asked, and can assure you will be as earn
estly looked for.
Hoping that you can spare some of your
valuable time to communicate with me.
am, with much esteem, your ObedIent ser
want, ROBERT WEST.
Baton Rouge Penitentiary, Louisiana, care
MIR. j. H. Malta.
Enclosed in the above letter was the fol-
lowing remarkable statement, when, on Hs
receipt, was published in the New Orleans
Times, q copy OF which was sent 10 Ine OIL
GERS of the Penitentiary.
IL, Doc. CARING, was with the man Beau
regard at the time Of his death. He told
me before he died that he had committed
the crime of murder on one lsasc Walker.
and he alone was the guilty party.
'He then told me to inquire for Robert
West and tell him that he was sorry that he
had implicated him in the crime with him
self
"He further said that West was not in his
company at the time OF the murder. nor for
two days previous. The first time SAW
him WAS when caused his arrest. He de-
sired very much to see the unfortunate Il.
West before dying and ask his forgiveness
81 did not know West until inquired for
him at the Parish Prison.
This is the substance of the statement of
the dead and unfortunate Beautt gard
Jameson. made to me- on the fret vi March.
1875. DOCTOR CABLING.
Signed:
"RANCEvAU LESAGE.
ANDREW Malta
After the receipt of this statement l felt
impelled to ssrer ain how far it could be
sustained by direct or circunstantial evi
dence. have received letters from officers
in the P-nitentary, and have conversed
with Colonel James, the chief Of that instl-
tuition. who have assured me that the al
missions Of Bsauregard in health and in
his dying hour, aft ming the innocence of
West. were we'll known to the officers and
prisoners. All seem TO be impressed with
the truth of Beauregard's statement.
Colonel james, several months ago, IN
conversation on the subject, generously of
fered to sign petition for his pardon. under
the conviction that he was rot guilty. Even
YOU received communication from the
Penitentiary, in answer to one from you,
in which YOU inclOstd the statement pub
lished in the Times, directing you 10 parties
who could vouch lot its truth.
Here are the dying declarations of two
men in direct conflict with each other, with
the probabilities decidedly in favor Of
Beauregard. The deceased was intoxicated
when attacked passed into a state of i'll
sensibility from two compound commiuuted
fraeiu res of the skull OF the right parictal
aud frontal bones. from the effects of which
he died in few days after his INJURIES. His
mind, which WAS confused by lntOxicatlOn,
became darkened and defective by concus-
sion. When Beauregard realized that he was
doomed to pass life in confinement his con-
science smOte him, and in his health he
stated that West was innocent. When he
was conscious of approaching death. when
al enptations to falsehood, either of inter
81, hope or fear we're removed, and the
awful nature of his situation was pre-
,umed to impress him strongly with
he necessity of strict adherence to
ruth as the most solemn obligation of an
oath administered in a court Of justice;
Y hen every hope OF this world was gone.
when every motive to talsehOod was |
ilenced, and his mind was induced by the |
most powerful considerations u speak the |
ruth; situation so solemn and awful is |
considered by the law creating an obi |
alton equal to that which is imposed by |
n oath administered in court-tW Wharton, |
american Criminal Law, p. l79)-it was
hen under a sense of Impending dissolu-
ion. and the consciousness of an awful oc-
aston, that Beauregard confessed that be
lone was guilty, and that West was inno-
ent.
have reviewed the leading facts in this
ase for the purpose OF scaling them to
our mind, in the hope that subsequent de-
elopments may cause you and Judge Abel
0 contribute to the release OF q prisoner
elieved to be innocent.
You are we'll aware that have acted in
his case under appointment from the court.
have 20 interest to subserve, nor any hope
reward, but am endeavoring to discharge
duty imposed upon me by developments
'hich occurred since conviction. No favor
solicited, nor is any mercy asked in this
ase; but impartial justice is demanded.
'eeming this case which deserves the im-
ledia'e interposiiion of the executive, and
chewing that your sense of justice will be
nlisted in behalf of the unfortunate, re-
lain, very respectfully.
T. MORRIS CHESTER,
OF Counsel appointed by the Court.