THE VOLIiN'TEEU.
OAIUtISLE* THURSDAY, APRIL4> ISftOi
John B*-Oration, Editor nnd Proprietor*
AGENCY.
UTV. 0. airtbnrtfcpd Spent for fro*
ctintif aivsrtisiimeuis, receiving sulisnrlpHotis ami making
cntlnetions for lha American VnluntW, nt'hlt office. N. W.
c trner of Third and Cticsnut streets, PhHaSlnlphVn.
TO THOSE INDEBTED.
Daring' the week of the April Court wo shall cx-'
poet those who know themselves indebted to this
office for subscription, advertising, job work, &c. to;
discharge llieir respective accounts.' We have Irca* I
vy liabilities to meol'in tire month of April, am!’
mast therefore appeal to (hose indebted, to come for-1
ward, during the April court, (if not before,) and :
assist us to discharge.oar oWu obligations. We ahall
confidently expect a compliance with this re
quest. • - .
(Ct <3«n* Case will accept bur thonke for Ills at*
tcnlidns.
■ Col. Matbcr has withdrawn his name from the
American Democrat. lie has our best wishes for
hit Tutors success.. '
For Santa Fb.— t A detachment of forty-five
men belonging to the first-Regiment of tJ. S.
Dragoons, left the Carlisle Barracks yesterday,
for Santa Fe. The detach mentis under command
of Maj. Graham.
Oor Post Orrtcie.—Since the decease of the lata
incumbent,-Mr.. WtotuxßLicit, several persons have
applied for the office. At first the competition was
rather brisk, and petitions flow.round with astonish
ing rapidity, but recently we have learned that some
of the applicants have withdrawn, leaving (lie race
to be -finished, by those who can hold out tfio long-'
esl. To tit it is a matter of small consequence who
succeeds, provided we get a good officer, and ivc
have nothing to urge against any of the gentlemen '
now on the look out. Wo have broached (ho subject
merely to. preface a valuable suggestion, Vie—that
Whiggery is a wonderful accommodating system.—
Trior to elections it boasts of its "disinterestedness."
Its pure sind lofty patriotism affects to scorn nil as
pirslions after office—all it seeks is a change of
prineipleß I Principlct I principles ! nothing but
principles/ We should like to know how much po
litical principle is Involved in the management of u
post office! Will our Herald friend inform us 7
And yet, no sooner was President Taylor inaugura
ted than swarms of candidates from town and coun
try besieged the department for our post office, and
now that the incumbent lias been called away by
death, his place Is sought with haste end ardor by
not less tlnnaixpr eight applicants. Verily, Whig,
gery Is an accommodating system. Wo livo in a
great country, and no mistake.
** Movixo Dar.”—ln different- States the people
•clccl.differcnl d.ija for exchanging residences. The
“ fir»l of May *’ is a high day in. New York. Wc
have often enjoyed n good laugh, when standing in '
'Droidway, wo wiLiossed the glorious “noise mid
confusion *' incident upon a general flitting. Fur
the laal few days our own borough has nnnifested
no ordinary stir. Quite a Ijrge number of houses
have been vaeated by (heir former tenant*, and ns
promptly occupied by others. Wc notice omong the
new occupants several strangers, who hate taken up
tlielr abode with us. As every change in moving
—iiuiu Upti.. .. .condition, we
- trnil'that' nil; who-.have changed their residences,
• may realise their brightest hopes.'- We do not wish
to Assume the character of an adviser general to
folks, but we may venture to suggest to all, (lint if
they be honest, industrious, shrewd, and prudent,
Carlisle will prove as comfortable and healthy a place
ms they coolo select—and, as a crowning means of}
happiness, we recommend them to.lose no lime in
subscribing for the American Volunteer. So mote it
be.
The *ptce occupied in tu*d iy T d piper hy the
Wahiter trial, liaa crowded oat roach matter—cdltp
fUl and •elected—intended for Hire week. A Cot
•mo or mare af ndverttaeroenle eharcd.n similar f.ifc.
Convicpioh or PibonMtoii Wsim-Kn.—The (rut of
Professor Webster, at Button, Tor (lie murder of Dr.
Parkman, has been brought to a close and a verdict
*[**guiUy of murder in thejrrtt degree ” has been
by llio jury, and the prisoner sentenced by
tho'&ptt (o ** 6s hung by the neck until dead."—-
K«6wMjlhe anxiety of our readers to loam some
nf tftramloulars of this trial, we have published (he
Ptat diyhtWDecedings, together with (ho address of
Chief Jastfce Shaw, before pronouncing the awful
penally of the law.
Tut LKoin.\TUßK.—The bill providing for the el
ection .of the Auditor General, Surveyor General, and
Deputy Surveyors, by (iia people, Ins pissed both
houses, and is now in the hands of the Governor.
In the Home'of Representatives on Fridiy lasi,
the resolution otTaied some weeks tiuco hy Mr.
.Church, of this county, instructing our Senators and
.Representatives In Cmigrost to vote fur increasing
the protective duty on coal and' Iran, came up in
order, when the llouve refused to proceed to the I
eanvlderation of (ho same by a vo'c of yeas 40, niys.
46., Mr. Church himself toted ogoinet his resolution 1
together with all the Democratic members except
flour. .An.end of (hat matter.
The Seriato lni how under consideration (ho Ap*
porlionmcnl bill, ft issnpporcd that the r.rgislu.
tore cannot adjourn before the middle of the month,
aa nearly all* the public bills have yet to bo acted
upon.-
T|in beet tough drops Air yonng ladies arc, to
drop the practice of dressing thin, when they go
out into lire night cl r,~Shippemhurg News. ,
There is more good advice in the above three
lines than is contained in a column of patent
medicine advert'semenls, nnd we Dope cur fair
young friends will profit by it.
(CT'A-irarrieborff. paper gives eosrib "al
ltlslica‘*.of Iho present Legislature, The number of
"very good looking members " Is- set down at I iso.
As this number corresponds exacl'y with Iho repre*
se'nUtlon froth l!ij« county, wo make mir bow to the
llirriaburg editor, with n profusion o/ blushes-,
.on behalf of Hie gentlemen from Franklin.
i'aHty Spirit'.
Wo have not the pleasure of an acquaintance With
the members, from Franklin, but wo think that our
•otsmporarv has forgotten that Old Montgomery is
represented.—Norristown Wntthmi in.
Ws ftn.ntlonls'ied at lha protumpUoh of oqr
Franklin and Muntgo nary o ito npor irios. Ol cimrsc
th« two •* very good looking me nbori •* mentioned
by lb« Harrisburg paper, refer# lb themenbersirum
old Mother Cumberland.
Dcuoqiutio Caucus at Amur.—On Wcdnosdity*
evening the Democratic caucus of the members of
the Legislature was hold, Mr. Mann in the chslr.—
The Syracuse organisation submitted a. proposition
t hat the Democratic members unite with them io
one call for a Stale' Convention, to be held on the
7<l(h of September, to nominate Slate officers, which
wee unanimously Agreed to.
Ohio and the Fimiti»« Qinirrmi),—Tlio Homo oft
Iho Ohio Legitlalurt Ini on filial paaatpo,)
Iho bill prohibiting the officers and chizcna of Ohio
t}om tihlnf on y tlopa In n«»/al in the recapture oft
/hfilirt tit roe. Thii ihowt t ilronj dlspoiilion in ']
dhio loirirdi conoilitlion. I'
CONCLUSION OF DR* WEBSTER'S TRIAL**
•* VERDICT OP GUILTY RENDERED*
. EtiKVBNTH 3O. .
| Tfto Attorney General. Imving concluded his
.remarks, Chief Justice Shaw. with milch emotion,
{stated to llie prlsonerthnlit was his privilege now
Ito address the, jury, tt‘. he had anything to say, or
{any explanation to make. •; , '
j professor Webster's •
J Professor Webster rose, and In a very distinct
jvofc* made the following remarks* • '
| “ I have desired to enter into an explanation of
{the complicated network of circumstances w hich,
by -my peculiar position,'the . government has
, thrown around me, and which, in nine cases out
iof ten, are Completely distorted, .and probably
j nine-tenths of which could be satisfactorily ex
’ plained. All the points of the testimony have
i been placed In the hands of my counsel, by
[•whom my innocence could have been firmly es*
ilablished, Acting entirely tinder ihrir'direction,
I have sealed my lips during the period of my
confinement, .trusting myself entirely, to-.them*—
They have not deemed itnecessary, in their supe
rior wisdom, (this was said in an; ironical lone)
to bring forward the evidence which was to ex
onerate ine from a variety of these acts.
The government have brought whatever Cori
subimuie ingenuity could suggest against me* and
I hope if-will not have an undue,influence Upon
my Jury. 1 will not allude to mnny of the char
ges,' but there Is one Which- touches me* and that
is the letter which has been produced. U is not
the first I had road In the daily prints which have
boon distributed-in my apartments, arid various
publications .Which have been made, respecting
them. One statement was that 1 had, after the
disappearance of Dr. Parkmani purchased a quan
tity of oxnhd acid to remove the stains of blond,
and it instantly occurred -to me that this parcel
might be saved and produced when neressor}’.—
Fur.several days Mrs. W. had requested me to
purchase some acid for domestic use, and as, my
wife had repeatedly lahglicd at me because 1 had
not purchased it, 1 bad borne it in rn}' mind that
afternoon, ami had gone into Thayer's etoro, Under
the Revere Douse, made the purchase, and walled
till rhe Cambridge Hourly, came along, and llten
jumped into the cmnibua with the bundle. 1 went
home and gave the bundle to my wife; and when
afterwards I hoard so much said about the bundle,
it flashed on my mind in a moment that this must
|he the but.dle. It was to tins bundle, and not to
any document that 1 referred in the direction to
my wife.
As regards the nitrate of copper in the usual
lectures proceeding my arrest,! had occasion to
use the Influence of chemical agents in producing
changes of various subjects. Among others on
gases, 1 prepared a lar*o quantity of oxalic acid
gas. A gallon jar was filled with gas in order to
produce (he changes from dark color to orange,
and also in air. On great heat being applied to'
the jar the gas was .drawn through water. As to
the nature of copper spilled on the floor of the
laboratory, it was spilled accidentally from a
quantity and by me, in rny lectures between the
day of l)r. Parkman’Aijsappßarance and my own
arrest, So I might go on explaining a variety o£
circumstances which bavh been distorted. My
counsel have pressed mo to keep calm. My very |
calmncss.has been made to bear against mo, hut my J
trust has been pul in my God and my own irino-j
cenee. |
In regard lo the money, I must say o word.—
The money which I paid Dr. Parkman on the af
ternoon of Frida}*, Nov, 23d, I,had saved up from
time to time, and kept-it in a pnnk in my house
in Cambridge} but, unfortunately, no one-ever
saw me take it out—'therefore, I can only give my
word that such is the fact. Several years ago, I
bad students who were in tlie habit of being in
my laboratory, and who injured my apparatus;
therefore, 1 prepared everythin? for my own use
lin my lectures with my own hands, and that Is
I tlie reason why I excluded persons from my
laboratory.; . As. regards, my whereabouts from
the hour of Dr. P 4 -e disappearance, I have.put
into my counsel's hands satisfactory information,
which will account for every day 1 hod spent]
during that week—fur every day and every hour. 1
1 never was absent from home. As lo being.seen
by Mr. Sanderson, 1 was at home every evening.
One thing that has been omitted by my counsel
was that on Friday, on which the alleged murder
was said lo have been committed, 1 had purchased
Hmubolt's new work, “ Cosmos,” nnd while
waiting .for an omnibus, stepped into Brigham's
to take a mutton chop, ond, in coming out.to take
the omnibus, had forgotten my hook; but after
my arrest remembered tbo place where I had left
it, and mentioned it to my counsel. They had
sent to Brigham's and the book had been found."
Tho Professor here sal down, but almost in
stantly arose and said, "I will say one word
. moro* \ have full vory much distressed by the
production of those anonymous- letters, more so
, than hy anything that has occurred daring the
trial/ 1 call my God lo witness, that if it was
the last h*our of n>y life, I never wrote those let
' tors. Since the trial commenced, a letter has
> been received from this very “ Civia " by one of
i my counsel. K this person has any spark M
■ humanity, I call upon film to como forward. A
i notice to this effect lias been put in the papers."
Dr. Webster again look his scat, having evi
dently made a deep Impression upon all present
by the seriousness of his remarks, nnd the earn-'
estnesa of his manner.
CHAHOE OF ClljKP JUSTICE SHAW.
Gentlemen—l rise will) (ho deepest sense 01
(he responsibility which presses upon' this tribu
nal. You have been so long engaged in this
impor'ant cise that 1 cannot detain you much
longer , in suspense. .}■ shall not, at this late
period,.keep you long confined in considering the
facta which have been, so fully, laid before you,
and It la mainly a question of facts. T, shall
rather dwell upon a few plain principles. It is
the nature of our laws under which our lives are
secured, to distribute to the several organs of
government each Us several.departments of duties,
and each is responsible for his own. Wo aro not l
hereto make the laws, but to execute lhem.~'
This indictment charges the prisoner at the bar
with murder. . Murder, in. the highest species'of
> homicide. Homicide is a general term, inclu-
Ijdlng several degrees ; some of which are justifi
able, such ns those committed in Justifiable war,
I or by llm officers of justice, with proper warrants;
i-Iml 1 need not dwell on (hem. T)ut statue law
> only provides that wilful murder stinil bu. pun
ished by death; but that is not the only law ip
‘ force nthongUs. Wo have the common law.—
i The common law was received by our ancestors
from England, but is, really ns much in force
among nsns nhy other, and may bo called , the
common law of Massachusetts..
(The learned Chief Justice read from a memor
andum of hjs own on (ho nature of malice.) In
murder, to escape the imputation of malice, the
prisoner must prove (he provocation, the accident
or any other circumstance which goes to preclude
the rtmlico,. otherwise it is argued from the act
itself, No provocation of words, however oppro
bious, will mitigate the motive for a mortal blow,
or one intended to produce death, so ns to make
U manslaughter where there is intent (o kill. If
there is sufficient provocation,.it is manslaughter,
hut words are not a sufficient provocation. (The
Chief justice Toad some authorities from East's
Crown hows.) Malice Is Implied from any dr
liberate, cruel act against another,.however aud
ition, When there is n blow of n deadly or dan
gerous wcapon. wilh Intent to do some great
(bodily harm, and death ensues, malice is pre
sumed. Tf a mflnj provoked by a blow, with n
J feeling of resentment returns it, and kills .his i
aggressor, It Is. not excusable, but It it; a loss
crimn than mmder; It la manslaughter, with heal
i of blood. Wo see no evidence in this case of
i any provocation or heat of blood,
. There wers angry Mings, but they do not
amount lb a provocation or a heat ofblood sufficient
t to render llio crime manslaughter; The imrpdia of
n Curonor’a Inquest Is lb find' how tha dead, body
J came to ilk death.-. There is no distinction, in the
I eye nf the Uw, between persons,-whether it bo o
,I colored pnuporln a country ntmshouscvor the uinstl
, distinguished member of (ho community. The
'same machinery of further proceedings, In case thol
{jury find that, violence was used by sumo party to
produce (ho death. - In this case a charge whs made
against an .individual of having, in some way or
other, produceddeath. No orip'paw. Si 'done. • T)ie 1
'evidence is altogether circumstantial,yet,it. may. bo '
sufficient, to' produce a reasonable conviction.—
Crimes are secret. There is a necessity of circum
stantial-evidence, otherwise wo could not protect
•ourselves from-crime. • Each sort oT evidence< has
ils-advanlogcs., There is ho common standard of
comparison. We may .often arrive nl os sure a'
convidion by circumstances as by. positive evidence.
The inference from the (acts should beu natural ora
necessary one, and ciidi fact elioUlU be. proved by
itself. Suppose in’ the present case the teeth are
found (b be those made for Dr. Parkm’nn before ins
death; that, fact is sufficient to establish tho’con
elusion that the remains arc Illsif no other facts
are found repugnant in this. > The allegation is, that
iio entered the Medical College about .two o’clock,
and never Again came out of it alive. Search was
made, during the week.. The next Friday human
remains were, found under the Medical College.
The place was taken possession of by the police.—
Investigations were madr, und the remains were
declared to bo those of Dr. Turkman'. Is this
proved 7 It is proved that he disappeared from his
homo on Friday forenoon, and did not come back to
.dinner, and never came buck—this is established,
flas it-been proved (hat he was seen anywhere after
the hour he is said to have entered the College? -
As to the testimony of Mrs. Hatch, Mr. Tbomp
son, Mr. Wcnworlh, Mr. Cleland, Mrs. Rhoades and
her daughter, and Mrs. Grcenough,! need not cbm
rtent particularly, It is.to bo compared with the
proof on the other aide.- Wlicn such rtgrc'at evehl
happens, tho whole’community is thrown into a
fconnnillco of inquisition; and a largo number of
linos ofinquiry arc instituted,a groat many persons
arc found who have seen the object of the search.
It became -known on .Saturday evening that Dr.
Turkman, n mah known to almost , every body, had
disappeared. The whole community were put upon
thoir. recollections, and would it bo strange if a
great ninny should remember .that they had seen
him, and yet have been mistaken. If (hey had not
been mistaken, would not others bo found, when all
were intent, who wuuld lcrlify that they saw him
alio. This negative evidence, it is true, is not con*
cjnslve in itself but it goes to destroy (ho positive
evidence, for we can hardly conceive that if there
had been bo mistake in. those who saw him as in his
identify nr the lime, n great many others would mil
also have seen him, and would not have recollected
it the next day. If Dr. Parkman went to the col
lege at the'invitation of Dr. \Veli*ler, and,was there
hilled.hy him, nil question.of implied malice is pul
out of the. question, for it wan done by ’ express
malice. Dr. Webster admits that Dr; Parkman
Came there,.and, as lib says, ho paid him money.
U is in evidence that Webster staid there that
afternoon, and left there about 6 o’clock, in so much
as Dr. Parkman has never been seen since that
afternoon, if it shall appear (hat the femainb found
in (he apartments of Dr. Webster were Identified as
his body, the alibi is of no consequence.
Wlicn a parly has attempted to suppress proofs,
the circumstance acts to prove a consciousness of
guilt. When we apply,those principles to a case,
certain rules are to be applied. First, the circum
stances upon.which tho conclusion ..depends arc to
bo fully proved; second, all must connect together;
no one must be inconsistent with an act of this
nature or alibi*. Third, the circumstances mu*l not
only limit (he guilt of the party, but (hey must
be such as to exclude every other reasonable hypoth
esis. They must exclude nil reasonable doubt. —
What is a reasonable doubt ?• It.must bo more than
s probability. Tho fuels must be such as to impli
es (c the defendant also. We muslnow, gentlemen,
apply these to the present case/T||o indictment
charges J, W. Webster • with the murder of Dr.
George Parkman, bn (he 23d, of November last.—
Tho indictment lias been referred to by (he defence,
and we have taken the.matter into consideration.
It is (he rula of law (hut the moans and manner of
Iho crimo slml) be ,set forth, bo that (he prisoner
may prepare for his defence; yelif'dettlh is pro
dneed in some new mode, the law will not let (ho
criminal escape. It has general rules, which pro,
vide for now cases. The Just.account sots forth
(hat the prisoner-assaulted and killed George Park*
fnan, in some manner or by some weapon unknown
to the jury. The Court are of ppjnlon that this is
a good count. Dr. Parkmunfmay lliavo been ns*
jaawltcd with chloroform* or stuplficd
| and made him insensible, and then death would
have been caused by (ho weapons to the jury un*
known; and the jury were only bound iu act forth
nil they knew.. That is necessary. 1° be proved.—
First, it is necessary to prove the corpus dtlfdi, or
the killing, so ns to exclude eulddu or accident.—
Dr. Farkmon was in good health, as appears by Mr!
Shaw, that morning.
Wc .conic now to the teeth. Tlicbo aro the priiW :
cijial signs of identification. That the other puffs
of the body did not differ, in any material respect,
from Dr. Turkman's, proves little In Itself, but Jbo*
comes very important, if It is made out that the
teeth were his. It la a serious inquiry, whether by*
the correspondence of (ho teeth to the mould, the
identity can bo made out. . Wo must, rely only on
the evidence of those who have made this subject
their study. Dr. Keep identified these teeth, with*
out much hesitation, pronounced .them-Dr.. Pork*
man’s, nnd be- has explained to you,the reasons
which confirm him in that opinion. You have also
heard the testimony of Dr. Noble, to the same effect. |
Dri.Morion Is.bf opinion (hat the characteristics of
teeth arc not such as to enable a dentist to identify
bis work, under such circumstances, with certainly*
Three other eminent dentists have been culled, who
arc of a different opinion, and confirm Dr. Keep.—
This evidence is, undoubtedly «■ to be received With
care. s H Is of Iho same nature of tint which is
applied to fussill rcmalnr, and by means of whiali a
single bono la made to lead to the.discovery of an
entire animal, of on extinct species. You must be
judge* of Hin lli!« cate.* If these ore the teeth of
Dr. Parkman, and If, as’was staled to you by Dr.'
Keep, their condition proves (hut they were put Into
the furnace in the bend, and the whole body, ho
part of It being disshniiir to Dr. Par Inn an**, and if
the suppositions of suicide and accidental death are
excluded, the corpus delicti is established. I shall
pass over the testimony of Littlefield, It has been
somewhat called in question.' Rut whether much
or little weight bo given it, it does no( materially
effect this ease. It may be remarked, that a* far
qs it docs not effect, this ease,'it is confirmed by
other witnesses; (particularly the officers of the
police.) From'about Sunday or Monday, pretty
strict watch was kept of (lie Medical College, till
Friday. Nothing important could Jib transacted
there, without the knowledge of the police, of Lit
tlefield or Webster; To. some of these parties the
existence and condition of these remains, found
partly under the prjvy, In the ten chest, and partly
in thn furnace, must have been known. You'will
judge from the evidence by whom.
Tocomc to the main proof of thla caso there are
I wo.theories in regard to it. The government lakes
the one, which supposes that ho invited Dr. Park*
man to the Medical College, and there slew Idm, In
order to got possession of two notes which ho owed
Dr. Parkmnn, and that ho got -possession of.(hem.
Dr. Pirkimn had loaned to Professor Webster 8400
in 1841. . In IG4G,several parlies contributed loan
other Innr, In relieve him, to (he amount of $'3,430;
to this Dr. Parkman contributed $5OO, and (ho $333
on (ho old note; and other paftica (ho balance. Dr.
Parkmnn hold the largo notes, and the mortgage on
norsn.mil property, for its security, for (lie bcnfil of
himself and llio oilier parties, and also the old note
whieh was to bo given up whenever his share was
paid. It appears that the defendant was In posies
sion nf both notes, and-tho ’government contends
that he never paid either; that lie invited Dr. Park
man to his lecture room and slew him to gel posses-
*ion of these notes. If this lio proved, it is express
million. Tlio other theory la (lint of (he defence,
that being together, (he one to pay, end the other to
receive money’, they grumbled, and Dr. Webster,
killed I)r. Purkman in sudden heat and then con*
ecu led him (6 avoid detection, If this be proved It
may bo manslaughter.
The government, to ulronglheh 111 theory, brings
proof that he could not have had money to pay eith*
cr of these notes { and he never pretended that ho
lie had money to take up the larger one of them.
You will judgo one very algnini'cant fact Is,that Hie
990 which \vn« that morning paid to him by Mr.
Pclle—(i chock on the Freeman's Rink, wue not a
part of (he money paid, but was on (hat afternoon,
or the next day* deposited in the Charles* River Dank
to his credit. lie also (old Mr. Pclle that.morning
(hat lie had'Bottled with Dr. Parkrnnn, although Dr.
Parkmnn had not yet called ,on him. You must
judge how ftir those circumslnnces go |o prove In*
tentlhn to get liohi of the notes ns n.motive of the
homicide; and If that Was the motive, it Is a very
strong ease or murder lly express.malice. If, in the
hypothesis of tlio defence, the concealment of the
remains was mndoby another hand, it was of no
Interest In Dr. Webster, and ills reluctance towards
> the search is in bp accounted fnr, ns well os tlio fact
* that ho did not himself mske the discovery which
r hy directly in Ills way. Any concealment ol cvl*
— ■. ”
dence going to implicate him, to which ti parly tin- ;
der suspicion resorts, must go, asifaf . aril at i
nli, ogu|n«lliim.. .
lie has mentioned, that thc he
refored In his letter to his citric
acid, n nil not those notes which Ik&o been brought
ns cvidcnco. la prove tho intcnllqinor tho homicide.
If so, as far as that goes, it tiio ef
fect of attempted concealment of evidence. Cut it
docs nol’alall effect the case or the bearing of these
notes when found, or the animus or the intention of
(he act. The circumstances of tho twino used, and
many others, which it is needless to mention, go to
show, that whoever did any part in tho concealment
of these remains, did llio whole. Wo think It of
much consequence that ho waived an examination
in the police court. As to (ho anonymous loiters,
you must judge of their hearing, if proved. Bui wb
must remark, (hat wo consider tho proof of them ex
ceedingly slight. Character may be of consequence
in a minor case, as of larceny; but whcn.a.prisoner
is charged with a crime so atrocious, sil sink to the,
same level,'and wo must rest on tho proof of the
facts. . You have been selected by lot, mostly con
ccrncd in the active business of life, so as to Secure
tiio greatest impartiality. Take sufficient timb to,
deliberate upon your verdict, tlse your good judge
ment, and sound conscience,.and we arb assured the
Verdict will be a true one. ;
TUB VERDICT.
Tho jury retired, at five minutes past eight o’clock,
and came into court at 11 o’clock, when Chief Jus
tice Shaw exiled on the prisoner to stand up and hear
the verdict.
• Chief Justice—Mr. Foreman,’have you agreed to
a verdict, and do you find the prisoner guilty, or not
guilty?’
Foreman—GUlLTY!
' The prisoner-sank back into his -.chair with his
hands upon (ho railing, and his face on his. hands,
and so remained fur ten minutes. When he* reco.
vered from the shock, he said to officer Jones, "why
are you keeping me here to bo gazed at?" Ho was
immediately bofriec tip to tho.jnll, and lacked up
for tho night, the precaution having been taken to
remove his raior and knife.
A buggy was at tho door of (ho court room to con
vey the sad Intelligence .to his family at Cambridge.
During (ho whole of (his (rial, wo understand from
tho officer in charge, that Professor Webster has not
shed a tear,'nor expressed any particular .interest
for any thing hut his (able of supplies. Ills • last or
der to officer Lawrence, when he left (lie jail to hear
the verdict, was—" Tell Parker to send mo soino of
his best turkey for dinner to-morrow, and a lot of
good segars.”
Tito Last Sccsi.o—Sentence of death Pronthm
ceil.
Boptm, April 1, 1850.
Dr. Webster vVofc brought intg Court (tils morning
tit a minute to 0 o’clock to receive the solemn sen*
lance of the law. Ho looked gldoiny in the extreme
but .collected and calm. The Court room was dense
ly crowded, ds were the avenues lending to it. At
10 minutes past 10 o'clock tbu Court Came in; inclu
ding (ho lion. Richard Fletcher, who had not nltcri
dud (he trial.' After some minutes of-silence; Mr.
Attorney General Clifford, narrated the facta of the
indictment, (rial and verdict, and-moved (he Conrl
dial (lie final .sentence -be now pronounced. The
prisoner rose; and Was asked by the Clerk what ho
had to show why sentence of death should hot now
be pronounced against him. The prisoner bowed
arid look his scotiri silence.
Chief Justice Shaw then addressed him lu the
following, words:
• John W. Wkdstrr—ln meeting you hero for the
last time, to pronounce that sentence which the law
has affixed to the high uttd aggravated offence of
wldcli. you stand Convicted, it 2s Impossible by
language to givp utterance to the deep consciousness
of responsibility, to the keen sense'uf sadness and
sympathy; with which wo approach' this solemn duly.
Circumstances which, all who are here may duly
appreciate, but which it may* seem hardly fit to|allude
to in mere.detail, render the performance of this du*
ly no the present occasion) unspeakably painful.-
At nil limes and under oil circumstances, a feeling
of indescribable solemnity attaches to the utterance
of that stern voice retributive, Which cfunslgns a
fellow being 16 tin. Untimely and ignominious
dealt); but.when we Consider all the circumstances
of your.p.usl life —yoUr various relations In society—
the claims upon you by others—the hopes and ox*
pcotHlions you nave cherished, with your present
condition and the ignominious death which awaits
you, we are oppressed ; with grief and anguish.—
Nothing but a sense of imperative duty, imposed on
us'by the law/ whose officers and ministers we arc,
cotj[d abstain os In pronouncing .such a judgement.
:"‘ f Against the crime of wilful murder/ of which you
stand convicted—a cflmo. at which humanity shud*
ders—a crime eVery where,-arid under ail. forms of
society, regarded with abhorrence—the law lias de
nounced its sovctcsl penally in these few simple,but
solemn and impressive words:—" Every person who
shall commit the crime of murder, shall suffer the
punishment of death for the same."
The manifest object of this law Is flic prgteClioW
and security of human Ufo, the most Important of a
just and paternal government. Il ls made the duly |
of this Court to declare this penalty, ngalot any one 1
who shall have been found guilty, in due course of
the administration of justice, of having violated this
law. • It is ono of. the must solemn acts of judicial
power,-which an earthly tribunal can bo called upon
to exercise. It is a high and Cxcriiplary monlfcflla
tlon of the sovereign authority of tho .ljw, as well
in He stern and inflexible severity, as in its protect
ing and paternal benignity. It punishes the guilty
with severity,, in order that the right to the en
joyment of life—the most precious of all rights,may
bo more effectually secured.
jjy tin record before us. il appeal's you’have been
indicted by.the Grand Jury of Ibis county, fur (ho
crimp of murder]’ alleging that on • the 23d of No.
vember lust, you made an assault on llio person of
Ur. George,Turkman,-and by acts of violence, you
deprived him of lifo with mulieo aforethought. This
ie alleged.to have bpendono within the apartments
of u public inslltutiorr, in (bis cily. the Medical Cob
lege, of wbieb you wore u Professor and Instructor,
upon (bo parson of a man of mnlure age, well known
and extensive connections in Ibis community, and a
benefactor of that institution.
The charge of an oflcnco so-aggravated, In (be
midst of tti peaceful community, created on instan*
Uncoun outburst of surprise! alarm and terror; and
was followed byuniversal and intense anxiety to
lonn,-by the results of a judicial proceeding, wbeth
ler (tiis charge was (rue.. Tho duy of trial came. —
A Court was organised la conduct it. A jury almost
of your own choosing, was selected in Urn manner
best calculated lo'iniurd intelligence and impartiality.
Counsel were appointed to assist you in conducting
your defence, who hove done all that learning, do.
qucncc, and skill could accomplish, in presenting
your defence in its best ospecta. A very largo num
ber of witnesses were carefully examined; and after
a laborious trial of unprecedented length, conducted
at wo hope, with pittance and fidelity,that jury huyo
pronounced you guilty.
To this verdict, upon a careful revision of the
whole proceedings,.! am constrained to pay,in behalf
of the Court, that (bey can perceive no just or legal
grounds of exception. Guilty! How'much, tinder
all tbesa thrilling circumstances, which cluster
' around tbo ease and throng our memories in (bo
retrospect, does this single word import! The wilful,
violent and malicious destruction of (be life a follow
man, in (ho peace of God and under the protection
of the law—yes, of one in the midst of Ilfo, with i
hopes, warm affections, mutual attachments, strong,!
extensive and numerous—making lifo a blessing to 1
himself and others. . . _ • |
Wo allude thus to the Injury you have inflicted,
nut for the purpose of awakening one unnecessary
pang in n heart already laccrulod, but to remind
you of tlio irreparable wrong dono to the victim of
your cruelty, in sheer justice to him whoso voice is
now hushed in dontli, and whoso wrongs can only be,
vindicated by (ho living action of the law. j
’ if, therefore, you rosy at any moment tiiinlc your
core a hard uhe, and your punishment (go severe— j
if one repining thought arises in your mind, or mur* 1
inuring word seeks utterance from your lips, think,' 1
oh think, of him.instantly deprived of life by your j .
guilty hand* Then, If not lost to ail sense of rolri*
bulive justice, if you have any compunctions arising;
from your conscience—you may bo ready lo exclaim '
in the biller anguish of truth, “I have sinned against
Heaven nnd iny own soul. My punishment is just. .
God b« merciful to me a sinner!"
God grant that your example may afford a solemn
warning to all, especially (ho young.. May it im*‘
press deeply upon every mind the salutary lesson it
is intended to loach—lo guard against tlio Indulgence
of unhallowed , and vindictive passion—lu resist
temptation to every selfish, sordid and wiokod pur-i
pose—to listen tp th* warnings of conscience, and
yield to t|io claim* of duly } and whilst they inslino.
lively.shrink with abhorrence from (ho first thought
of ussailing (he life of another, may (hoy learn to 1
reverence llio laws of God -nadj society, designed to
secute lhclprotcclion of tholr own.
We forbear, from. obvlous vconsidcroUons, from
adding biicii words of advice as mby-: bo sunlelitnes
thought appropriate oh.occasions like. this. . li lies
bnly within bur province, on occasions.like the pres
ent* to address the illiterate,. the degraded; the
outcast, whose early'life has boen cast among tho
vicious—the neglected, (ho abandoned, who have
been blest with no means of moral and religious
culture; who have, never received the benefit' of
cultivated society, nor enjoyed the sweet and enno
bling influences of home. To such an one a word
of.advice, upon an occasion so impressive, may-be a
word filly spoken, and tend to good; but in a case
like this where those circumstances are all reversed,
no word of ours could be more efficacious than the
suggestions of your own bettor thoughts to which
wo commend you. , ■ .
Cut os .wo'arc assigned tins last, sad duty of
pronouncing sentence, which ,i» Indeed the voice of
the law and not our own, yet in giving utterance,
we’cannot, do it with feelings of indifference, as a
formal and official act. God,forbid that we should
bo prevented from indulging and expressing those
irrepressible feelings of interest, sympathy and
compassion, which arise spontaneously in ouriioarl.
Wo most sincerely and cordially deplore, the
distressing condition Into which crime has brought
you; and though wo have* n'tf word; of present
consolation or of earthly hope to offer you, in this
| hour of your affliction, yet we devoutly commend
[ you to tho mercy of onr Heavenly Father; with
whom, in his abundance of mercy, and Horn whom
wo may all hope for pardon and pence.
And now, nothing remains but tho solemn duly
ofpronounciug tho sentence, which the law fixes fur
tho crime of murder, of which you stand convicted,
which'sentence, is, that you John W. Webster, bo
1 removed from this place, and be detained in close
1 custody In tho prison of this county, and thence
' taken at suciyimo ns .llie cxcculivo Government of
; this Commonwealth may, by thoir warrant, appoint,
to’tho place of execution, and there be hung by-tho
' neck until you nro dead—and may God, uf his
infinite goodness, have mercy bn your soul !
. Upon hearing the last of tho above words, tho
prisoner sunk heavily upon (ns sent, and inclined
Ills head upon llio bjr. Ho wept in agony. Ills
emotions were extremely violent; and his sobs could
bo.distinctly hoard in any part of the court room ;
but-in a Tow moments ho summoned his usual
fortitude and became more calm.
A large number of those present wore deeply
affected even, to tears. An awful silqncoT'cignud for
a few moments in tho rouni v ind the eyes of hundreds
were bent upon the prisoner, who now. sal upright
with fixed gozo upon llio bench. ’A suppressed
whisper-went through (he crowd, in anxious inquiry
respecting the prisoner,but silence being gained the
Judge placed the prisoner In charge of (be Sheriff.
At half past nine (he prisoner, was ordered to" bo
remanded, and was led from tho room.
During the delivery of (ho sentence tho crowd
was remarkably quid, itnH retired deeply impressed
with tho awful solemnity of the scene.
IiRLICSRATION OF TUB JURf.
ll U Understood that the Jury, after going nut on
Saturday HribdcliUcrulcd irt silence fur lui
minutes. They then ruled on the question, whether
tlio remains were those of Dr. George,,
There was a unanimous ", Yea.". On the second,
question, whether Dr. Webster murdered him, there
was eleven yeas, and one nay. Tltonuy came from
Mr. Benjamin 11. Green; Mo slated his point ol
doubt, and . after some tllacbssion; ’ lie' declared it
removed;
The family of ,Dr. Webster was not .Informed of
the verdict the night it Wad rendered. Ft lends
however, undertook the task' of preparing . their
minds for it.. The awful 'disclosure-'was made to
them on Sunday nfoffllngi by Mrs. Win. Preflcotl-^ 3
The scene was nfost heart fending nfid If/o wuiis
and shrieks cotild not bo;b'oncculcd Jroin the passers
by. . . ;
Every effort has been made by their friends to os«
saugo the grief of the afflicted wife anil daughters,
.who, up to a Into hour, confidently expected an oc
quilal. A letter of condolence was presented them
oh Sundav oflernooh, signed by the hoods of nearly
oil the principal families °f Cnfnbrldgo; including'
the Hon. Edward Everett, Jared Sparks, Prof. Nor.
tori, Judge Fay, etc.
ll is now ascertained that Dr. Webster did take n
grain of stryohlnlne on (he night of his arrest, he
having confessed it to his physician. Dr. Clark,
This community stands aghast at the result of
this (rial, end o stale of excitement so universal and
absorbing was never before known here.
Prejudice anti Principle.
What wfi most deprccHfe In politics, says the Slav
of ihh North, is the system nf man worship to com
mon among llio toadies and hangers-on who have no
opinions of Ihoir own. They do not look to iho«elc*'
nation and progress of a principle, but, with them,
every thing it a personal predilection fur men. They
vote according to their, passions and prejudices, and
cannot he brought lo lobfv upon candidates aa the
exponents and embodiments of principles. They
cannot view a candidate as the representative of ccr
tain political'ldeas. Their political filth is in fa
Tors, cleverness,* and generosity—in a cold culcula*
lion of dollars, and Cents f and not in ony devotion
to justice or propriety. They veto M & man be*
cause he will cither let them rob him,'or will'aid
them to plunder somewhere else. They do not re*
gurd the fitness.or honesty of a candidate, but only
ask how much can bo made out of him. They are
ndt satisfied 16 rfco their parly triumphant, but the
, standard bearer must be (heir especial friend Colonel
i GazV.lccm, or.cleo they cannot fight. In fuel these
’ men only wage a dirty, dishonorable warfare for
those whoso supple tools (heyarc, nnd have no polU
, leal faith to contend for. With them everything is
i impulse, and their mollo is " rule or rnin." 1 .
A Dili lias passed, the Senate far tho election of
Prosecuting Attorneys by the people.
An English, paper says that “ Jl/i*. Wthster, Ihp
groat American statesman, is Ip be tried in Deaton,
on the 19tli of March, for the murder of Doctor
Turkman.*' So much for n great name.
(£j“ A young gentleman stepped into n bnok-*lorc,
•nd said he wanted to get a " Young*. Man's Cum*
panton." " Well, sir," said the bookseller,"here's
my daughter."
Why Is a dead dog's (nil like alurnpiko gate?
Because i( has slopped a waggln'.
Why Is a dishonest bankrupt like on honest poor
man 7
Because Ut fails to gel rich.
An exchange paper quote* from Paul's writings,
"owe no man anything,*'and then adds, "Wo foot
some of our subsciibcrs never read. Paul's epistles."
It is hard (o tell which Is (lie most mortifying, to
be censured by a man of Judgement, or to lo con*
donmod by a fool. On llio whole, wo think we
should prefer the former.
Mr. Kinnoyj of (ho Newark Dally Advertiser, ha
been nominated as Charge to Xurln.
The Reading Colton Factory project, after on*
countering all sorts of,stormy opposition, and oslm
indifference, is now fairly under way.
MARRIED.
/On Thursday ilia 28th ult., by the Rev. James
Harper, Mr. Joseph A. Stuart, of South Mid*
dleion township, to Miss Mary Ann MoCune,
of Southampton township.
/At Oarlieio Barracks on the 2d instant, by the
Kev. A. M. Wirzfiuld, of Charoborsburff, Sorg’t.
Kdwin Jambs Smart, of tho 3d U* S. Dragoons,
lo Miss Sarah Cassidy.
Notice.
ItKTTERS of administration on. the oslato of
Benjamin D. Wundetlioh, decuoscd, late of tho
Borough of Carlisle, Cumberland county, havo
been issued by tho Uagiflior of said county, to the
subscriber residing in said borough. All persons
indebted to said ostnto are requested to make lm
mediate payment, and (hose having claims will
present llicm properly authenticated forselilomenl
to NATHAN HANTCH, Admr.
April 4,1850—Gl
JOIIiV ■WII^IAMSOIV,
A '(TORNEY AT liAVV—Oflicft in the liouno
l/X of Miss McHinnis, hear ihp store of A. & W,
BeniZ, South Hanrtver street. . ..
CaitUle,.April 4,1650—1 y ; *
To Farmers and Rlcu of Business,
Oils, Candles and Guano.
rpHE subscriber offers, ot the lowest rates,in any.
X quantity to suit purchasers, #
Pennine Peruvian Guano,
and every variety of Sperm, .Whalo, Xaril, and, /
TANNEVS OILS. 1
Manufacturers, Tanners, Farmers, Dealers and Con-*
sumers, arc invited to call.
GEO. W.RIDGWAY,
■* - No. 87 North Wharves,-the first -
Oii. Store, below Race st., Phils,
April 4,1850—2 m
Estate Notice.
LETTERS of Administration on Che estate of
Abraham Lose, deceased,' late of Silver Spring town
ship, Cumberland county, have been IsslTed'to the
subscriber rcsidingln said township,county aforesaid.
All persons indebted to said estate arc' requested,‘ta
make payment, and those having claims will present
them properly aulhcnlicated for settlement to 1
; JOHN LOSE, Adm’i. 1
. April 4, 1950—Ot*
Look fills Wjiyl
subscriber would respectfully informdiirf,
X Incndsaml the pnh ie generally, that be has just
opened a now LUMBEH AND.COAL YARD, In
West High street, a few doors east of .Messrs. J. &,
D. Rhoads* Warehouse, where he now' hks and will
keep constantly oh hand, ‘n - first-role'assortment of Hi#**
kinds of seasoned White, Pino Boards snd PlanJi,or*|
all oilier kinds ofSIulT, all of whichi he will selllow
for cask. JOHN ARMSfRONG.
Oarlihl.-, April 4, 1850—if ■ ■
flow and Clica,. Store.
THE subscriber* respectfully announce to the
citizens of Carlisle and thfl surrounding country,
that they- have just opnned in the store room ad
joining ilib Morn of, Mr. ,J. G. Carmpny, and di
rectly opposite Monyer’s i’enfectippary store, in
North Hanover street, a splendid assortment oi
Dry. Goods, consistingln part of
Cloths, Cassinaci cs,
CasMnets, Sattheta and Vesting; a grebt stock
of Summer Goods for Men and Boys* Wear, Mous.
do lal.ies, Lawns, Ginghams, Bareges, Mpachas,
D irege do Latnes, Calicoes, Checks, Tickings,
muslins, flannel*, table and totvelingdrapers, la*;
bln cloths, umbrellas, parasols, ribbons. Blockings,
gloves, linen, cambric ami silk handkerchiefs,
hces, edgings anrt insprsings,.cap nets, lartelou,
swiss, bonk, mull, j tconei am) cambric muslins;
an elegant assortment of
Cheap Bonnets, ;
of the mcnl fashionable kinds, Palm Leaf, Straw,
and Braid Hals, . - , .
GJIOVE/iiES,
Carpet chain, hardware, &**., some handsomeand
cheap carpels, together, with a variety of Goods in.
mif line, which have all been laid in at low prices,
and will be sold cheaper than can be.bought else
where. ' •
. Wi* rrsprrlfijlly invilp every body to rall and
judge I'tfr as we are determined lb of
for jrrea'tbargains/
I. L. STERNER & CO,
April d, 1950
lU'Ucr.limu Hie <3old itilncM oi Cal.
fornia.
A Whole ‘Suit nf Clothes ul.sl *5!
r plll3 underpinned Ihapltreil for the .patronage
i_ the citizens of Carlis ft end adjourning country, •,
iitibrrna his numerous friend* and. tho public in gciK
ftrrfl.lhfat lift lias,jiftt laid fn on entirely new stuck of
f.ieliionublo -
Spring and Simmer Clothing,
made up lunTalyle and pnrtlculdrly.cntculjfed
for Ijiis place; flMblnck coftaixls of fine Dress and
Frock, coals, II ild|s,Cu&imer, Drub, &o ,nnd Chinn
emits, Ttf)crd 1 t/iiVcn and Cheek cunts, Business
cunts 6T.nl| doveriptFunst superior Block Cjisxiuicro
and Inbey P/inl«lunftV ( 'n great variety of.
7.te(s to 91 00, 4 IjiVgu assortment of fancy urlirles
of Gentlemen's wear, while linen, striped and rtd
flannel shirts. Gentlemen are requested Irt'rull smt
examine the goods, and he is sure .those who buy
will ho well filled and at low prlees.
A jrrenl assortment of Dnys clolliing, also Cops
and Hals, from 12J to 63 00 cnnslnnlly on hand at
S. DCtf.DMAN’S.
South Eisl Corner of Main find MaVkcl square..
Carlisle, April *l, 1850,—Cm.' • i.
Hear, Read, LlstcK mid Relied.
TROUTMAN'* MAY'S
New, Cheap and FAsinuNADee Clothing
• Store,-
On North Ihtnoi'tr street* in the room formerly oc
cupied by Mr». IVise, as a Grocery.
THE attention of the citizens of Carlisle, and
Cumberland'and Perry, counties, is.invited In this'
nCwly established Clothing ond Cenllemen’s Fur
nishing Store, and see the well selected and must
elegantly got up clothing ever offered In this place,
h would be well for every man to know that a
huger assortment, heller styles nhd moro desirable
cloihing can bo bought for less money ni thisnew
esluhhshmenl than ul.any oilier store in the place,
without any exception. The assortment is uetl
sel.-oled and the cut and ma|»n of iho latest spring
and summer fashions, which are fiu superior to nil
jothersfor ea*n and elegance. All who.wish to.
purchase will find thpy can save from twenty-five
jlo fifty per cent, by buying at iho now stand of
. THOVTMAX $• MAY, :
Coals, pants and vests, wo will sell remarkably
low, as the following list of prices will show:
CO Am
Superfine black cloth dress coats ’so to 18,00
do , do *. frock do. 6 to-18,00
Fine French'habit cluth coats of
different styles, 3 to 10,00
New stylo of cashmeret coals 2,50 to 0,00
French cunts of all colors 1,50(0 7,00
Koiigli & Ilendy Tweed, now stylo <l,OO to 11,00
California Lustre, 75 to 5,00
Linen conts 1,00 t0‘2,50
Business coats l,00(o(i,00
PANTALOONS.
New stylo of American and French
Cassimoro, plain.
New style of American and French
cassimcres, superior in quality and
variety of colors 5,00 (o 10,60
Fine black pass, and doeskins 9,50 to 9.00
Striped and cross barred ones, pants 1,50 to 500
New style Napoleon striped pants 1,95 m 9,00
do spring case, pants .4,76 mu,nO
threat variety of corduroy pants 1,95 to 3,00
Find linen drilling striped and plain 75 to 3,50,
New stylo ol Gombroon 1,50 to 4,00
With on excellent assortment of work-
ing pants which will out-wear any
other in this place . 50 to 2,00
VESTS.
Superfine Mack satin veals 1,75 to 5,00
New style of figuorod and striped do. 1,00 to 7,00
Plain and striped valentine 50 to 4.00
Pine light summer marsailtea vests 75 to
All kinds of working veslsat very low prices.
Wo also keep a good assortment of
SOYS CLOTHING,
consisting of coats, pants and vests anil salt (hem
at very low prices. In addition to our siook of
ready made clothing wo will keep on'hnnd an as
sortment of Furnishing Articles, such as shirts,
scarfs, cravats, suspenders, drawers, collars, caps
umbrellas, gloves, handkerchiefs, socks, &o. &o,'
which will make It the interestof the purchaser to
examine before buying elsewhere. All goods sold
at this store, warranted to give satisfaction, and
wo defy competition in quality, elegance, style of
(ho cut, and durability; and wo hope by close at
tention to business to merit a share of public pa
tronage. Don’t forget the place, North Hanover'
street, a few doors above houther street, West
aide. Clothing made to order, at the shortest no-’
tice.
~ April 4,1850—1 f
•i
1 (GO to 7,00