Remarks of Col. Keali Frazer,
Ja favor of the adoption of the report of the Com
mittee on Resolutions, at the Wiltiamport Con-
Mr. Frazer followed in support of the
report of ifle committee,'and in reply to Mr.
Magraw. The gentleman (said Mr. F.)
has attempted to place us' in a position we
do not occupy,’ winch i will not permit
whilst l can reply. The rights of a state
and territory are clear and distinct, ana tile
powers of (Jungress equally so; aud,‘wuh
out the Constitution comers upon that body
the jurisdiction now claimed, expressly ana
clearly, the Proviso legislation {unmean
ing as u ever has been, save for evil) would
he, it successful, a flagrant usurpation 01
power. 1 differ directly with Judge Thomp
son as to the power ot Congress to legislate
on uus subject over the territories. Surely
there are no words m the Cuusutuiiou luui
comer it; And again, who would couleuu
that Congress now could establish slavery
in ( Minesbta or Oregon/ Who, among
those lroui the Northern, Western, auu
Middle States, where this domestic servitude
does not exist, but would and do deny any
such authority in Congress '! The mere
statement of tue proposition carries its rel
utaiiou. Then, n Congress cannot estab
lish the institution—is devoid of constitu
tional authority —how, 1 wpuld ask, can
she. prohibit it! The territories are the
common property of the nation, —the com
mon treasure, obtained, like the Union, “ in
a common 'cause,” by “ joint counsels, joint
efforts, by common dangers, sufferings ana
successes.” Surely the citizens of every
State have du equal right -to participate
therein, and set lie therewith their families,
servants, and property. No wonder that
the people of tile Southern States rise up
unanimously against this attempt to deprive
them ofiheircoustitutionalrighis. Thiscom
finon soil is open to all; and the people, the
Democracy of the territory, will soon set.
tie the question themselves in the territory,
and in the State, when it is lormed therein.
This sovereign power can only be exercised
by the sovereign people; aaurasd r as the ma
jority there decide for or against domestic
'servitude, so it must be. W ere I a citizen
of the territory or state, I would vote
against it, but i could and would not de
prive my neighbor of voting for it; and, if
in the minority, I must submit or remove
away. lam hot for its extension ; but 1
will not takeaway from any citizen of this
Union, nor can Congress, Ids constitution
al rights if emigration, with servants and
property, and voting according to his own
sovereign will and pleasure, in the territo
ry'to which he may go. This is the doc
trine of the Democracy —the great measure
pi' non-intervention —so nobly advocated
and manfully sustained by the statesman
. and patriot, Cass, in the Senate of the na
tion, in his great speech of the 21st and 22d
of January last. It will triumph, and he
will triumph, and this great constitutional
measure, of union and freedom, will stive
and harmonize this nation, and, like the
bow set in the clouds, will be prophetic of
our enduring constitutional covenant among
the American States, firm as their moun
tains of rock, and lasting as the oceans that
wash the shores of the mighty .continent
over which they expand.
This Convention, representing the entire
Democracy of Pennsylvania, now respond
ing warmly & cheeringly to these sentiments
causes my heart'to thrill with delight; and
I am rejoiced to say, that now, with but lew
exceptions in our ranks, they are the unan
imous voice of the • party throughout the
Commonwealth. Here let me do justice to
the report ‘on our Federal relations made in
our lasi Legislature by the Hon. Andrew
Beaumont, the representative from Luzerne,
in which th*e same doctrines' are ab(y ad
vocated and sustained by this pure-minded
Cato and veteran in the Democratic cause.
.And 1 cannot pass by the able speech of the
Hon. Thomas Boss, Representative in Con
gress from the Bucks and Lehigh district
in lhe house of Representatives at Wash
ington, on the same important subject.—
It is well worthy the perusal of every
Pennsylvanian, and is a high honor, to
its gailant author. This Wilmot Pro
viso has been omnipotent for evil to the
.Democratic cause ; has divided our ranks
wherever it had many advocates ; has sac
rificed all our leading measures to this one
bald ided, and been of no service, even to
its friends, but of great advantage and use
fulness to the common Federal enemy, in
helping them to triumph, and to place in
power a slaveholding President, and ele
vate to high places the revihrs ofi Andrew
fackson, the very men who spit upon and
traducecf Van Buren in-the days of his De
mocracy, and who triumphed over him,
with demoniac glee,in the hard cider cam
paign ofi I S 40.
It was introduced into Congress in time
f war, placed as a Proviso to that with
which it had no connexion; —was attempt
ing to anticipate the acquisition ofi new
territory; legislate for unacquired posses
sions ; throw a firebrand into Congress ;
distract the nation, and impede the passage
of war measures, and delay the advance of
our victorious troops in Mexico; thus adher
ing morally to the enemies ofi our country
in time of war, and “ giving them aid and
comfort.”
Its author, by his own true and sincere
friends, was implored to desist;-to lay it
aside, and let it rest. He was young, ri
sing into eminence, and truly eloquent;—
had advocated alone from Pennsylvania in
Congress, the passage of the tariff of 184.6,
stood high before the country,' with distinc
tion and usefulness awaiting him in the fu-.
ture; it was a matter of deep regret to those
who knew and-admired him, that he should
be led away. All that friends could do
was exercised to save him, but nothing,
nothing could stop his mad career. In the
Presidential election of 1848, he deserted
he Democratic cause; voted for the can *
didate of a Convention where blacks were
suffered to participate ; divided his own
county, and gave Taylor 1500 majority, in
a region where Clay was beat nearly
six hundred by Mr. Polk. In Congress,
last winter, he voted against the Democrat
ic candidate for Speaker, supported Root,
Giddings, and others, the most bitter ene
mies the ‘Democratic party ever had, and
assisted to delay the organization of the
house for weeks. But he is gone ; — -joined
to his idols; —yet I think he will find, when
rtoo late, that the Democracy can do. much
better without Aim, than, he without the De
mocracy. I cannot here desist in referring to
MartinVanßuren. Ashorttimesincehewas
high in our affections; enjoying the respect
of the whole American Democracy , and
elevated by them to the highest station on
earth ; and although defeated in 1840, was
still a favorite, and looked up to with res
pect and veneration by all. In an evil hour
he turns round, takes a nomination from n
. convention of abolitionists and their kindred
? .'allies, placed on the ticket with the heir of
• Braintree , opposing the very Democracy
' who made him all he was or ever couldbe ,
not receiving a single electoral vote , but
; --causing the success of the enemy, and the
defeat'of Kw former greaiparty ; and like
/‘Arnold after his, treason, at New London,
when the « red-coat” was on his Back, fired
upon the glorious Democracy, who in 1832
'• and 1836 elevated him to the Vice Presi
dency and Presidency of the Republic, with
the steady vote of chivalrous, noble, and!
Southern Virginia, if you please, always
cast for him. - Out, out upon such base in
gratitude! If We can truiy.say of him
——“ Living, shall forfeit for renown,
. And doubly dying shall go down
; To the vile diut trom whence it sprang,
Unwept, unaonored, and nnsnng.’’
But we have 'the Pittsburg platform, of
fered as a substitute ior the national plat
form now before the Convention.. Such a
Platform, why, it is too narrow for even
a Free Soiler to stand straight up full
length upon. The Pittsburg Convention
should have discarded it at once.
Yet, we are told, we were victorious un
der it last fell; that our victory was caused
by it. How ridiculous! It was the giant
si rength of an aroused Democracy, deter
mined to succeed and bring Pennsylvania
back again to her old position, that caused
our triumph, irrespective of the departure
of the PmsDurg Convention lrom. the na
tional code.
The only true course is to hold a nation
al creed. (A voice, ‘Ht is, it is.”) It will;
continue, whilst sectional views or dogmas ;
can never prevail. I recognize no Penn
sylvania Democracy; no Northern or
Southern Democracy, but American De
mocracy 1 Jeffersonian Democracy! that
noble, inspiring Democratic faith tiiat is
alike acceptable along the granite hills of
New Hampshire, the mountains of Penn
sylvania, the shores of Virginia, the sands
of Carolina, the levees of Louisiana, the
banks of the Mississippi, the prairies of
Illinois, the shores of Michigan, the woods
of lowa, the gold mines of California, and
the valley of the Oregon. That inspires us
with the nobleness of self respect, breaks
ihe chain of the oppressor, vindicates the
right of self government, raises man from
the earth, and teaches him to walk proudly
erect, with no superior but that all-wise
Creator, whose image he bears and whose
breath he breathes. (Reiterated applause.)
Let us hold to this creed ; it is from our
fathers; under it, onr institutions have
prospered ; new Slates added to the Con
federacy, now spreading from ocean to
ocean; and one bright star after another
appearing in the canopy of freedom; thus
forming a union, whose bright example is
destined to overthrow kings and thrones,
and free the world from bondage.
When Pennsylvania sets up a measure
or movement in opposition to the National
Democracy, she is always in the wrong.—
Witness the Bank and Tariff questions, and
the State candidate in 1832 for Vice-Presi
dent. We must stand with our brethren of
the Union, and go with “ the Democracy of
the Union for the sake of the Union.”—
Pennsylvania can have no interests that
conflict with the prosperity of the whole na.
tion. We must become prosperous, through
the prosperity of the county at large. The
people found this out, when they strayed
off on. the Tariffs question, and it required
the unflinching firmness of Vice°-President
Dallas, a national patriot and a national
Democrat, to set Pennsylvania right with
his fearless, and noble casting vote. (Im
mense applause.) Just so this Free Soil
heresy leads men imperceptibly away from
patriotism a’nd Democracy.
It took the Roman firmness of another
great man, to set the mark of the national
creed. The country found him in Lewis
Cass, (jje Democratic candidate in our last
campaign. (Cheers.) It is men, such as
he— national men and national democrats
—who are our towers of strength in the
times of peril and danger.
But I am accused by the gentleman (Mr.
Magraw) of loving the South. Loving the
South! My country —my countrymen!!
American freedom, and freedom’s own
land ! I plead guilty to the accusation, if
it be; and if I did not love the
whole South as well as my whole country
(applause), I would'be unworthy of the
name of American ; unworthy of its glory,
and forever unworthy of these great bless
ings enjoyed by no -other people on earth.
When 1 forget Jamestown, Braddock’s
Field, Yorktuwn, Virginia, the Tenth Le
gion, Montieello, Mecklenburg, Eutaw,
Charleston, Savannuh, Orleans, and San
Jacinto, THEN WILL 1 CEASE TO LOVE THE
South. When I can forgot WASHING
TON, the father of my coun-
TRY ; Jefferson, the author of the Decla
ration of Independence; Madison, the
father of the Constitution ; Patrick Henry v
the opponent of the Stamp Act; Giles,"
Randolph, John Marshall, Macon, Marion,
Will, Washington, Moultrie, Laurens,
Pinckney, Jackson, and his veto of the
Monster Bank, then, and not till then, will
I, can I ever forget my noble countrymen
of the much-abused, much-injured, yet he
roic, dauntless, and patriotic American
South. (Enthusiastic arid .long-continued
applause.)
A Vew Trial granted to Mills.
Harrisburg, July 2nd, 1850.
The Supreme Court, this day, granted a new
trial in the case of Jonathan: Gibbons Mills, who
was convicted last October, in this county, of the
offence of seduction, under the act of 1843, and for
which he was given the full benefit of the punish
ment, set forth, to-wit: three-years in the County
Prison. This Mills, you may recollect, is the per
son who destroyed a whole household, by ruining
three sisters. Judge Coulter delivered the opinion
of the Court, and the judgement of the Dauphin
county Court was reversed, on the ground of a
want of jurisdiction, the case having been tried at
an adjourned Court, and by means of a special ve
nire. I Bavc been informed by the Counsel Jorthe
Commonwealth, that Mills will be again tried for
seduction at the August session. There can be lit
tle doubt, that he will again be convicted. Writs
of error were also allowed in the two prosecutions
for attempt to, procure abortion, by this same Mills,
but as to those cases, no opinion has, as yet been
given. Messrs. Kunkle, McAllister and Fox, de
serve the thanks of the moral portion* of the com
munity, for.the ability with which they have con
ducted these cases, on tfle part of the Common
wealth. Theirs is a labor, the reward for which
cannot be obtained in this world, as the seduced
are poor, very poor.— Pennsylvanian.
Organized Band of Robbers on the
Overland Route to California. —A letter
dated Durango, Mexico, May 7, furnishes some
information relative to a regularly organized
band of robbers cn the route to California
through Mexico. It says :
There are many Indians on the road between
Saltillo and this place. They have committed
a great many depredations lately on small par
ties of Californians, and also on the Mexicans
living on the road, but we were unmolested by
them, although we saw several strong bands
but a short distance from us, alj mounted and
ready to attack us ; There is a large party of
robbers between this place and Mazatlin—the
same®ne that, the Governor of Durango hired
some six weeks ago to go out to fight the Indi
ans, and furnished them withfine horses, arms,
ammunitions, &c. The “first they did was to
rob the Government of a large caballado of
mules, loaded with different kinds of produce
and some specie, which was intended to pay off
the Mexican army.
After this robbery they took to the moun
tains, where they have been murdering and
robbing the travellers passing between Mazat
lin and this place. About six days ago they
murdered two Americans, and took from them
over $40,000 in gold. Some of the partj
who were robbed escaped, and arrived at this
place three days since. Two of the robbers
were arrested in this place, and are now in
prison, awaiting their trial. This hand of rob
bers, I learn, are Texans, and were original
ly 22 strong, but have, since recruited to the
number of <6 or morc£ The Governor says
they are better mounted and equipped than any
who have, passed through* Mexico. He had
1,800 soldiers at his command, and is afraid to
send them in the mountains after the robbers,
for he says that, from the position they occupy
they coaid kill every one of his soldiers with
out their effecting anything.
intelligencer & iourttal.
GEO. SANDERSON, EDITOR.
Lancaster, July 9, 1850.
DEMOCRATIC SOMISATIOSS.
CANAL COMMISSIONER:
WILLIAM T. MORISON.
AUDITOR GENERAL:
EPHRAIM BANKS. '
' SURVEYOR GENERAL:
J. PORTER BRAWLEY.
To onr Democratic Friends!
We have a proposition to make. It it this: As
soon as one hundred new paying subscribers can
be obtained in Lancaster county we will enlarge
the “litTELiiezxcsß,” so as to add four columns o\
reading mattepto each number. If one or two ac
tive menineach township and borough will make
the effort, we have no doubt treble that number
can be obtained in* a few weeks. Wh&May our
Democratic friendß tp the'proportion? Who will
be the first to;move in the matter?
• number of advertisements have unavoida
bly been crowded out Our advertising*'friends
must excuse us this week.
JD" We invite attention to the speech ol Col.
Rsah Fbazeb, of this city, mside at the Williams*
port Convention, in favor of the resolutions report*,
ed by him and adopted by that body. His remarks
are strong, eloquent and pointed—a noble vindica
tion of the policy of the Democratic party, as laid
down in the broad national platform of the Balti
more Conventions of 1844 and 1848. The speech
will be found in another column.
ID* To the exclusion of much other matter, we
give place to. the confession of Professor Webster,
who was convicted of the murder of Dr. Parkman.
Any abbreviation of it, on our part, we are certain
would not have satisfied our readers, and therefore!
long as it is, we give it to them entire.
This confession, while it settles the question as
to the murder and murderer of Dr. Parkman, does
not change our opinion materially with regard to
the trial. Our opinion then was, that he might be
guilty of the homicide—but that the proof adduced
against him was not sufficient to justify the posi
tion taken by the Court, and the finding of the
Jury, and that no Jury in Pennsylvania would
have convicted him of murder in the first degree
upon such evidence. We.are of the same opinion
still—nor does his confession even make it a case
of that kind. If we are to believe what he says,
the act was done without premeditation,-in a mo
ment of passion and excitement produced by the
conduct of Dr. Parkman, and therefore was not a
crime of that magnitude in the eye of the law
which would require capital punishment as an
expiation.
Now that Professor Webster has made a clean
breast of it* which he should have done immediate
ly after committing the fatal crime, the responsi
bility will rest with the Executive of Massachu
setts to say whether the sentence of the Court shall
be carried into execution, or whether his punish
ment shall be commuted to imprisonment for life.
Fourth of July.
The Seventy-fourth anniversary of our National
Independence, was celebrated in a variety of ways
in this City—by firing of cannon, pistols and crack
ers; by fire-works, .bonfires, ringing of bulls, dis
playing of flags, &c. &c. Business was entirely
suspended—many of our town's-folks taking a jaunt
to the country, and all, young and old, enjoying
themselves to their hearts’ content.
We, with others, spent the day at Brownstowm
some nine miles north-east of the city, for an ac
count of which celebration, see another column.—
Our ride, going and returning, was through a de
lightful region of the country—the wheat, rye, oats
and corn fields presenting a magnificent appearance,
and every thing indicating a rich and luxurious re.
ward to the husbandman for his toils. On our
outward trip we took the Reading road, and re
turned by the New Holland Turnpike—every
where the country presenting the same cheerful
and prosperous-condition.
G - Our City was visited on Friday last, by four
of the Philadelphia Fire Companies, on their return
from Harrisburg, where they had been to celebrate
the Fourth. Each of the Companies had a Band
with them, who discoursed delightful music during
their brief stay amongst us. The Companies are
composed of fine looking, respectable young men,
who conducted themselves with great order and
propriety. Our citizens got up several collations
for them on Friday, and they expressed themselves
much gratified with the hospitality of our people.
Two of the Companies left in the evening line—the
others remained until Saturday morning. May we
that the next time they take a jaunt from
the great city, Lancaster may be their destination.
Our citizens would, doubtless, do every thing- in
their power to make their visit pleasant and agree
able*
CIT We direct public attention to the recent ad
vertisement, by the Mayor, for a loan of sixteen
thousand -dollars, for the purpose of constructing
an additional Reservoir. In reference to thissuhject
we would remark, that the finances of the city are
in a flourishing condition. The proceeds of the
water rent and tax, together with a Sinking fund
of, at the present time, about nine thousand
increasing annually'one thousand are set
apart to liquidate the existing debt—capitalists
may therefore rest satisfied that the loan now
asked for will be a perfectly safe and desirable in*
vestment, and that it will be paid at maturity.
ITT A tornado of unusual severity passed over
the eastern section of this county, on Friday week.
The width of its track was about 200 yards, and it
occupied about five minutes in passing, the air be
ing all the time darkened with branches,- shingles,
and a variety of other objects snatched up'in its
course. The'principal sufferers were Messrs. Peter
Herr, Jacob Hershey, Jacob 'Frantz, T. S. Woods,
Samuel Wengers and Dr. Steele—and the principal
damage was in the blowing down of dwellings,
barns, &c. &c.
Suicide. —A man named Henry Waltz, a
resident of Water street, committed suicide on
yesterday morning about 4 o'clock, by shooting
himself through the heart with a gun, to the trig
ger of which he had a string attached. He was a
bricklayer by trade, about 00 years of age, and
has left a wile and 4 large family of children. He
was poor and in embarrassed circumstances, which,
preying upon his mind, it is supposed was the cause
of the fatal deed.
Accident.—A German, whose name we did not
learn, was seriously injured on Saturday, by a por
tion of brick wall falling upon him while at work
at the old Factory.
Rather Caustic.— -The N. Y.- Merchants’' Day
Book , an independent journal, but rather waggish
in its sympathies, says-.
“ That which was a Whig party—a noble and
powerful party—has, by this movement of these
selfish office-seekers, been broken to fragments
and scattered to the four winds of heaven. In New
York it is a Seward and Weed party • in Massa,
chusetts and Ohio it is an abolition party • in
necticut and Vermont it is a free soil party * in
New Hampshire and Michigan it is no party- in
Pennsylvania it is a tariff party; in New Jersey it
is an anti-railroad partyin Delaware and Mary,
land it is a Clayion partys in Virginia it is a Tay
lor party; and in all the other States it is a broken
down party, without strength, influence or impor
tance. Never was a political party so utterly pow
erless, so insignificant, so useless as the Whig
party, who so foolishly sold themselves to a con.
temptible little clique of New York politicians,
and took their pay in the .gaudy tinsel of a sol
dier's epaulctts.”
# Mr. Stevens’ Speech.
.Oar readers can form someidea of the character ol
this gentleman’s second speech, from the following
short extract. It is hardly likely that such; low
abuse will provoke a reply from either of the gen
tlemen to whom he alludes.
I do not remember one of the numerous gentle
men who have referred to my remarks, who has
attempted to deny one of the facts, or refute one ot
the arguments; they have noticed them merely to
vituperate their author. To such remarks there
can be no reply by him who is not willing to place
himself on a level with blackguards* I cannot en
ter that arena. I will leave the filth and the slime
of Billingsgate to the fish-women, and to their wor
thy coadjutors, the gentleman from Virginia, [Mr.
Million,] from North Carolina, [Mr. Stanly,] trom
Kentucky, [Mr Stanton.] from Tennessee, [Mr.
Williams,] and all that tribe. With them I can
have no controversy. When I want to combat
wi'h such/opponents and such weapons, I can find
them any day by entering the fish market, without
defiling this Hall.
1 beg those respectable fish-ladies, however, to
understand that I do not include m) colleague from
Bucks county, [Mr. Rgss,] among those whom I
deem fit to be their associates. I would not so de
grade them.
There is, in the natural world, a little, spotted,
contemptible animal, which is armed by nature
with a feetid, volatile, penetrating virus, which so
pollutes whoever attacks it, as to make him offen
sive to himself and all around him for a long time.
Indeed, be is almost incapable of purification.—
Nothing, sir, no insult shall provoke me to crush
so filthy a beast!
Such language as the above might be appropria
tely used in the vicinity of the Five Points, at New
York, or in the Fish Market of Philadelphia—but
we apprehend it is entirely out of place in the
Hall of the House of Representatives, at Wash
ington, and least of all is it the kind of language
that should be used by a representative of the staid
and quiet people of Lancaster county. A speech
containing such foul slang is not fit to be placed
before a decent family—and we ; hardly suppose
that any respectable portion of his constituents
would be willing to endorse it; and yet, we opine>
they will be called upon to do so, the ensuing fall’
by depositing their votes for its author. The peo
ple are sometimes made to father strange doctrines
by the reckless conduct of unprincipled represen*
tatives
, Rich—Decidedly.
The Union fy Tribune, and Examiner Herald,
regaling their readers with Mr. Stevens’ last
speech on the Slavery question! What a preciobs
morceau to spread before their lady readers! How
the moral and religious portion of their readers
will be gratified dt its perusal!
CELEBRATION AT BROWNSTOWN
The meeting waa respectable, in point of
numbers, though not so large as had been an
ticipated. The dinner was served up in the
very best style, by Mr. Busser, the obliging
landlord of the village, and those whfepartook
were loud in the praises of the good fare, not
forgetting the Turtle Soup which was deci
dedly a rich treat. The liquors also were ex
cellent, and nothing was omitted by “ mine
host” to make his guests comfortable. The
Orator of the day, George W. M’Eeroy,
Esq., acquitted himself handsomely. His
oration was a chaste, well digested produc
tion, patriotic and appropriate to the occasion,
alike creditable to head and heart of its au
thor, and pronounced in an eloquent and im
pressive manner. The meeting also address
ed by Messrs. John L. Thompson, D. W.
Patterson and W. W. Brown, and, in German,
by our friend, Jacob Myers, of this city.—
The proceedings including the toasts, &c.,
will be found below, to which we invite at
tention. Everything passed aver very pleas
antly, and nothing occurred lo mar the fes
tivities of the day.
In the evening the “lads and lasses” en
joyed themselves to a late hour in dancing.
We learn that our young friends acquitted
themselves very handsomely at the “ Ball,”
and the pleasure they enjoyed almost indu
ced them to regret that the Fourth of July
came off but once a year.
The Committee of Arrangement reported the following
as the order of the day :
The Declaration nf Independence-to be read by Isaac
EHmaker, Esq., at the head of the Table, aftrr which the
Dinner will be served up by Jucob Busser.
The Oration will be delivered by George W. M’Elroy,
Esq. i
Orricxxs O? TBB Day —President, David Groff. Esq.
Viet Presidents, David Shultz, Benjamin Rcinhoid, T. E.
Roberts. Allen Carpenter. Percival Potts, Henry E. Lea
men, Alien Yundt. John 'V Jackson. John Forney, Peter
Fiefea. StcrtterU?. MhJ. George Sanderson, Col. Marcus
D. Holbrook, Jacob Myers.
It sgulat Toasts.
I—The day we celei-mte.
B—Tne memory of Washington.
3—The President of the United States.
4 The Governor of Pennsylvania.
5 The Constitution of the United States, the pallad
ium nf our liberty, written in the blood of the Fathers of
the Revo utiou; cQrsed be the tongue that would assail
it, and palsied the baud that attempted to erase one letter.
B—Our Union, the anchor of our hopes and the hopes
and the Safety of posterity, may no local feeling induce us
to forget its importance. If it should fall by our hands or
through his negligence, it would bnry everything in its
ruin. May it remain unharmed in the conflicts which
now assail it, and may it continue to all time as it now is
in the hearts of American Freeman aud theadmiration of
the surrounding world
7 Woman, Heaven’s last and best gift to man; our
guardian angels in the hour of tribulation; our compan
ions through life, and our solace in the hour of death.
Voluntetr Tocu-ts.
I—By John W Jackson—The American Union, Too
strong m the affections of the American People to fear
the assaults oi factious.
2—By Isaac Ellmakcr—The United States, Cemented
together by the blood of our patrict sires, may evil attend
the man that would dissolve them.
3 By William B Wiley—California, May she come
iuto the Union in a coach by herself, and not in an omni
bus.
4 By David W Patterson—Agriculture, Commerce &
Manufactures, Mutually dependent on one another— em
bracing and embraced in all the interests aud prosperity
of the nation at large.
5 By W W Brown—The Defenders of tbe Constitution
—May their memories occupy tbe loftiest place in the
temple of fame.
6 By D G Swartz —Adams and Jefferson, Lovely in
their lives, in death they were not divided.
7 By C Garber—Henry Clay, the brightest star in our
political galaxy. Honored at home, esteemed abroad, he
deserves the admiration of tbe whole civilized world.
S—By John K. Reed—The Declaration of the United
States, may it ever remain the pride and admiration of
the American people.
9—By Peter Fieles—The Hon. James Buchanan, in pri
vate life a gentleman, a scholar and a friend. On this
day may he not fail to enjoy the delights of that liberty
which he has so long labored to sustain. May he contin
ue to be an object oi admiration to his friendsand 3teeled
against the atiacks of his enemies.
10— D W Patterson—The Memory’ of Washington,
His life is our glory—his example our dearest heritage.
11 — By John Evans—The Day we Celebrate, May we
all feel the proud satisfaction when we have separated
from this ground that we met as brethren of one family,
as American citizens, and fully appreciating the privileges
this land of liberty affords.
12— By Simon P Eby—The Peace Convention, in favor
of an international Supreme Couit, may unbounded suc
cess crown their noble efforts.
13— By C Garber—Clay, Webster and Cass, with such
men in the Senate of the United Slates, who would des
pair °f the Union.
14— By Thomas Deer—The Union, to be preserved not
by great names or men in high positions but by the pat
riotism of the American people. *•
15— By John Forney—James Buchanan, the favorite
son of Pennsylvania, may’he be our next President.
16— ByD W Patterson—The4thof Ju1y,1776,an epoch
when Kings and proud oppressors were obliged to bow to
the will of n people who would be free.
17—By Geo Sanderson—The Ladies; always in favor
of union— so long as they continue to adhere to this prin
ciple, the Union ranst be preserved.
18—By Isaac Ellmaker—The Washington Monument,
though it tower to the skies cannot be higher than he
whose name it is intended to perpetuate in the estimation
of his countrymen.
■ 19—By the Carapany—The Orator of the Day, and the
reader of the Declaration of Independence, may their lives
be as patriotic as the sentiments they have uttered.
20—By the Company—Our Host and Hostess, may their
efforts to please and accommodate their visiters to-day,
render them deserving of confidence and patronage in the
future. j, -
ENCAMPMENT AT LEAMAN PLACE
We paid a flying visit to the encampment
of the artillery corps, “ Washington Grays,”
from Philadelphia, on the morning of tbe 4th.
We found the tents erected in a field adjoin
ing the .hotel of Mr. Leohler, looking quite
military like, but in our estimation not very
comfortable, as they were ntirely exposed to
the burning rays of the sun. This, however, did
not seem to affect the spirits of the troop, as
they were all busily engaged in paying atten
tion to their visitors, or preparing for tbe re
ception of Gen. Patterson, who had promised
to review them on that day. His non-arrival
was a source of disappointment to many of
the visitors as well as to the “ Grays.” At 12
o’clock, a grad'd national salute was fired, and
the company then par|nnk of an excellent
dinner provided by Mr. Lechler. We regret
that onr arrangements compelled us to leave
before the dinner, so that we cannot give any
"f the proceedings.
The Grays are oertainly a fine looking body
of men, with a high reputation for discipline.
The object' of their present encampment is
improvement in camp discipline,and as Capt.
M’Adam is very desirous of improving every
hour of their limited time, it is feared that we
shall scarcely have the pleasure of a visit from
them to onr city. Should it,''however, be
found convenient for the members' to prolong
ibeit stay unlit Saturday, the 13ih, CSapt. M’A.
assured us that it would afford him much
pleasure to partake of the hospitality of our
citizens, as well as pay a visit to our military
Iriends in Columbia. We hope he will hod it
convenient to do so
Correspondence of the Gazette.
9 Columbia, July 4,1650.
My De*r Gazette;-— I The anniversary of the
Birth day of our National Independence has just
passed, the twinkling stars of the last Rocket
have disappeared, and the last squib has been
beard. Every thing ia agairi’quiei. The greater
part of those who were with ua have left for
their respective homes, and now while others
are relating what they saw of the Elephant I
will attempt a briet description of the proceed*
mgs.
According to the published arrangements, the
red and blue shirts of the Firemen of our Borough
wereeeeuat an early hour, hastening through va
rious pans of the town as if anxious to hasteu the
great affair, then groups would gather to talk of
the expected pleasures of the day, or to consult
upon the respective duties, that had fallen upon
each to perform. Presently the sound of mu*
sic'was beard, and the soul stirring strain of
** Had'Colurabh n fell upon the listening ear.—
Quickly following this was
“ The ear piercing fife and spirit stirring drum”
tuned to the good old never to be forgotten tune
of“ Yankee Doodle ” and our Lancaster friends
were escorted by our companies to head Quar
ters, whence, the whole party proceded in a bo
dy to the bridge to welcome the Laurel Fire
Company from York. Next came the William
Peen,'‘company from Marietta, which completed
the party. After the usual preliminaries, and hav
ing partaken of bountiful refreshments at head
Quarters, prepared by our citizens,
The procession was formed at 12 o’clock, M.,
precisely, in Second stredt, the right on Union
street, in the. following order :
Columbia Band. The American and Humane
Fire Companies, of Lancaster. Chief Burgess
and Assistant Burgess, Members of Town Coun
cil, Reader of Declaration and Orator of the Day,
in carriages. Music. Oldmembersof Columbia
Engine, m carriages. Columbia Engine and Hose,
Columbia. William Penn, Marietta. Vigilant,
Columbia. Music. Laurel Hose, York.
Marshal —Philip Gossler. Marshal’s Aids —
Joseph Sample, D. F. Griffith. Patrick Morris,
E. K. Boyce, J. W. Shuman, Dr. V. Friedeman.
Chiet Burgess and Assistant Burgess, Members
of Town Council, Reader of Declaration, Orator
of the day, and old members of Columbia-Engine,
was received at Jacob’s Hotel in Locust street.
Amongst so many, fine companies it might seem
invidious in us to particularize, I will therefore
merely state that their appearance was manly and
their conduct that of gentlemen.
After marching through the route indicated by
the programme, the procession disbanded for the
purpose of hearing the Declaration read by our
worthy townsman James Cowddn, which was
done in a masterly manner, and wa9 listened to
with that profound attention its importance de
manded After the reading was concluded, our
young townsman Dr. N. B. Wolf, the orator of
the day, took the stand and in an address charac
terized by fervid eloquence and breathing the
sentiments of true genuine patriotism, held his
audience enchained in breathless attention for the
space of three-quarters of an hour. The audience
was taken completely by surprise, the orator’s
fine effort having so completely surpassed their
expectations.
At the conclusion of the address the guests par
took of the collation prepared for them by the cit
izens, Volunteer toasts were read from
the standi and at an early hour our guests departed.
It they were as much gratified with
as our citizens were with -their presence this day
will be long remembered by them. The utmost
harmony characterized the whole proceedings, aud
nothing occured to mar the pleasure of the day.
THE CELEBRATION AT PARADISE.
Mr. Editor : —The 74th anniversasy of Ameri
can Independence was celebrated in our village
to-day in an appropriate and spirited manner by
the United The meeting
was organized by theFappointmentof John Rogers,
of Paradise, President; J. W. Fisher, of Colum
bia, and Robert Herr, of Laucaster, Vice Presi
dents ; E. H. Rauch, of Lancaster, Secretary;
when the Declaration of Independence was read
by the Secretary, after which jne meeting adjourn
ed to dinner, which was served up in the most
splendid style by'Mr. Lefevre, of Paradise, who
knows just how to cater for the appetites of hun
gry mechanics and working men. ’After dinner
the meeting wus again organized, when most able
and eloquent addresses were delivered by John
Wise and J. W. Fisher, Esqs., after which the
meeting adjourned in fine spirits, every one de
lighted with the celebration.
Yours, Paradise.
Extraordinary Confession of Prof.
Webster, f the Murder of Dr.
George Parkman.
Bostok. July 2, 1850.
At a meeting of the Council, this morning, the
case of Proiessor Webster was referred to a com
mittee.
Before the committee, at 12 o'clock, appeared
the Rev. Dr. Putnam, the spiritual adviser of the
condemned, with a petition tor a commutation r 1
punishment, together with & coniession that he kil
led Dc. Parkman
The Reverend gentleman prefared the statement
by a few remarks relative to the manner-in which
the confession was made to him. He stated that
he had no previous acquaintanceship with Professor
Webster, before being called to act in the capacity
of his spiritual adviser. In the first few weeks ol
his visits, he sought no acknowledgment of the
prisoner. At length, on the 23d day of May, he
visited him in his cell, and demanded of him, for
his own well being, that he should tell the truth in
regard to the matter, and he acceded to the request,
by making a statement, which was now submit
ted for the consideration of the Council.
It was in substance as follows
THE COSFXBSIOX.
On Tuesday, 20th of November, I sent the note
to Dr. Parkman, which it appears, was carried by
the boy, Maxwell. I handed it to Littlefield unseal
ed. It was to ask Dr. Parkman to call at my
rooms, on Friday, the 23d, after my lecture. He
had become, of late, very importunate for his pay.
He had threatened me with a suit; to put an offi
cer in my house, and to drive me from my profes
sorship, if I did not pay him. The purport of my
note was simply to ask the conference. I did not
tell him, in it, what I could do, or what I had to
say about the payment. I wished to gain, for those
few days, a release from his solicitations, to which
I was liable every day on occasions, and in a manner
very disagreeable and alarming, and also to avert'
for so long a time, at least, the fulfilment of recent
threats of severe measures. I did not expect to be
able to pay him when Friday should arrive. My
purpose was, if he should accede to the proposed
interview, to state to him my embarrassments and
utter inability to pay him at present—to apologise
for those things in my conduct which had offended
him—to throw myself upon his mercy—to beg for
further time and indulgence, for the sake of my
family, if not for myself, and to make as good
promises to him as I could have any hope of keeping.
I did not hear from him on that day, nor the next,
(Wednesday,) but I found on Thursday he had been
abroad in pursuit of me without finding me. I
imagined he had forgotten the appointment, or else
did not mean to wait for it. I feared he would
come in upon me at my lecture hour, or while I was
preparing my experiments for it; therefore, I called
at his house on that morning, (Friday,) between
eight and nine o'clock, to remind him of my wish
to see him at the College, at half-past one—my lec
ture closing at one. I did not stop to talk with
him, for I expecfed the conversation would be
a long one, and I had my lecture to prepare for, for
it was necessary for me to have my time, and, also,
to keep my mind free from other exciting matters
Dr. Parkman agreed to call upon me as I proposed.
He came, accordingly, between half-past one and
two o’clock, entering at the lecture room door. I
was engaged in removing sotre glasses from my
lecture room table, into the room in the rear, called
the upper laboratory. He came rapidly down the
step, and followed me into the laboratory. He im
mediately addressed me with great energy—“ Are
you ready for me, sir? Have you got the money?'’
I replied-, “ No, Dr. Parkmanand I was then
beginning to state my condition, and ray appeal to
him but he would not listen to me. and interrupted
me with much vehemence. He called me a scoun
drel and liar, and went on heaping on me the most
bitter taunts and opprobriousepithets. While he was
speaking, he drew a handful of papers from his
pocket, and took from among them my two notei,
and also an old letter from Dr. Hossack, written
many years ago, congratulating him cm his success
'in getting me appointed Professor of Chemistry.
“ You see, ’’ he said, “ I got you into your office,
and now I will get you out of it ?” He put back
into his pocket all the papers except the letter and 1
the notes. I cannot tel! how long the torrent of
threats-and invective continued, and I cannot recall'
to memory but a small portion of what he said ; at
first, I kept interposing, trying to pacify him, so
that I might obtain the object for which l sought
the interview, but I could not stop him, and soon
temper was up; I forgot everything, and
telrnotbing bur the sting of bis words. I was ex
cited to the highest degree of passion and while he
was speaking and gasu.c.ulatinf in the most violent
and menacing manner, thrusting the letter and his
fist into my face, in my fury I seized whatever thing
was handiest (itwas astick of wood,) and dealt
him an mstantanedui'ljlow with all the force that
passion could give; it I did not know, or think,or
care, where I should hit him, nor how hard, nor
what the effect would be. It was on the side of
his head, and there was nothing to break the force
of the blow. He fell instantly upon the pavement
There was no second blow; he, did not move. 1
stooped 1 down over him, and he seemed to be lileless.
Blood flowed from his mouth, and l got a sponge
and wiped it away. I-got some ammonia and
applied it to. his nose, but without effect. Perhaps
l spent ten minutes in attempts to resuscitate him.
bu. I found he was absolutely dead. In my horroi
and consternation, I ran instinctively to the door>
and bolted them, the doors of the lecture room and
of the laboratory below. And then, what was i
to do ? It never occurred to me to go out and de
clare what had been done, and obtain assistance
I saw nothing but the alternative of a successlul
movement and concealment ol the body on the one
-land, and of inlaray and destruction on the other.
The first thing I did, as toon as 1 could do anything,
.vas to draw the body into the private room adjoim
iQg, where I took off the clothes, and began putting
hem into the fire, which was burning in tht uppej
laboratory. They were, all consumed there that
afternoon, with papers, pocket book, and whatevei
fhey contained. I did not examine the pockets,
uor remove anything, except the watch. I saw
r bat, or the chain ot it, hanging out. I took it.
and threw it over the bridge as I went to Cam
bridge. My next move was to get the body into
the sink, which stands in the small private room,
by setting the body partially erect against the corner,
and by getting up into the sink myself, I succeeded
in drawing it up there. It was entirely dismem
bered.
It was quickly done, as a work of terrible and
desperate necessity. The only instrument was the
knife found by the officers, in the tea chest, which
I kept for cutting corks. I made no use of. the
Turkish knile, as it was called at the trial. Thai
had long been kept on my parlor mantlepiece in
Cambridge, as a curious ornament. My daughters
frequently cleaned it ; hence the marks of oil and
whiting found upon it. -I had lately brought it
into Boston to get the silver sheath repaired. While
dismembering the body, a stream of Cochituate
water was running through the sink, carrying ofl
the blood in a pipe that passed down through the
lower laboratory. There must have been a leak in
the pipe, for the ceiling below was stained im
mediately around it. There was a fire burning
in the furnace of the lower laboratory. Littlefield
was mistaken in thinking there had never been a
fire there. He had probably never kindled one, but
I had done it myself several times. I had done it
that day for the purpose of making oxygqp gas.
The head and viscera were put into that furnace
chat day, and the fuel heaped on. I did not exam
ine at night to see to what degree they were con
sumed. Some of the extremities were put in there,
I believe, on that day 5 the pelvis, and some of the
limbs perhaps, were put under the lid of the lecture
room table, in what is called the well—a deep sink
lined with lead; a stream of Cochituate ■was turned
; into it, and running through it all Friday night;
the thorax was put into a similar well, in the lower
laboratory, which I filled with water, and threw in
a quantity of potash, which I found- there. This
disposition of the remains was not changed till
after the visit of the officers on Monday. When
the boHy had been thus all disposed 01, I cleared
away all traces of what had. been done. . I think .
tbie stick with which the fatal blow had been struck
proved to be a piece of the stump ol a large grape
vine—say two inches in diameter, and two feet long.
It was one. of several pieces which I had carried in
from Cambridge long.before, for the purpose oJ
showing the effect of certain chemical fluids in
coloring woods, by being absorbed into the pores.
The grape vine, being a very porous wood, was well
adapted to this purpose. Another longer stick had
been used as intended,’and exhibited to the students.
This one had not been used.- I put it into the fire.
I took up the two notes either from the table or the
floor, T think from the table, close by where Dr.
P. had fallen. I seized an old metallic pen lying
on the table, dashed it across the face and through
the signatures, and put them in my pocket. I do
not know why I did this rather than put ihem in
the fire, for I had not considered for a moment
what effect either mode of disposing of them would
have on the mortgage, or my indebtedness to Dr.
P. and the other persons interested, and I had not
yet given a single thought to the question as to
what account I should give of the object or result
ot my interview with Dr. Parkman. I never saw
the sledge Hammer spoken of by Littlefield 5 never
knew ot it§ existence, at least i have no recollec
tion of it. I left the College to go home, as late
dS six o'clock. I collected myself as well as 1
could, that I might meet my family and other*
with composure. On Saturday, I visited iny room.-
at the College, but made no change in the disposi
tion of the remains, and laid no plans as to my
•uture course. On Saturday evening, I read the
notice ip the respecting his disappear
ance. I whs then deeply impressed with the ne
cessity ot immediately taking some ground as o
he character of my interview with Dr. Parkman.
or I saw that it must become known that I ha>.
nad such an inrerviewsas I had appointed it first
by an unsealed note on Tuesday, and on Frida}
nad myself called at his house in open day, and
ratified the arrangement, ami had there been seen,
md bad probably been overheard by the man ser
vant, and I knew not by how many persons. Dr.
P. might have been seen entering my rooms, or
;0w many persons he might have told by the way
vhere he was going—the in.erview would in all
probability be known, and I must be ready to ex
plain it. The question excercised me much, but
on Sunday my course waa taken. I would go into
Boston and be the first to declare myself the person,
ts yet unknown, with whom Dr. P. bad made the
appointment. I would take the ground that I had
invited him to the College to pay him money, and
. .hat I had paid it. Accordingly, I fixed upon the
sum by taking the Bmall note and adding interest,
which it appears I cast erroneously. If I had
thought ot this course earlier, I should nor have
deposited Pettee’s check for $9O in the Charles
River Bank on Saturday, but should have suppres
sed it, as going so far to make'up the sum which
I was to have professed tg have paid the day be
fore, and which Pettee knew I had by me at the
hour of interview; it had not occurred to me that.
I should ever show the notes cancelled in proof of
it, or I should have destroyed the large note, and
let it be inferred that it was gone with the missing
man, and I should only have kept the small one ;
which was all that I could pretend to have paid.
My single thought was concealment and safety ;
everything else was incidental to that. I was in
no. state to consider my ulterior pecuniary interest.
Money, though I needed it so much, was of no ac
count to me in that condition of mind. If I had
designed and premeditated the homicide of Dr.
Parknqpn, in order to get possession of the notes
and cancel my debt, I not only should not have de
posited Pettee’s check the next day, but should
have made some show of getting and having the
money the morning before. I should have drawn
my money- from the bank and taken occasion- to
mention to the cashier that I had a sum to make
up on that day for Dr. Parkman, and the same to
. Henchman, when I borrowed the $lO. I should
have remarked that I was so much short of a sum
that I was to pay Parkman. I borrowed the money
of Henchman as mere pocket money for the day.
Had I intended the homicide of Dr. P., I should
not have made the appointment with him twice,
and each time in so open a manner that other per
sons would almost certainly know of it: and I
should not have invited him to my rooms at an
hour when the College would be full of students
and others, and an hour when I was most likely to
receive calls from others, for that was the hour, just
after the lecture, at which persons having business
with me, or in my rooms, wer£ always directed to
call. I looked into my rooms on Sunday afternoon,
but 'did nothing. After the first visit of the officers,
I took the pelvis and some of the limbs from the
upper well, and threw them into the vault under
the privy-. 1 took the thorax from the well below,
and packed it in the tea chest, as found. My own
impression has been, that this was not done till,
after the second visit of the officers, which was on
Tuesday, but Kingsley’s testimony shows that4t
must have been done sooner. The perforation of
the thorax had been made by the knife. At the
time of removing the viscera, on Wednesday, I put
on kindlings and made a fire in the furnace below,
having first poked down the ashes. Some of the
limbs, I cannot remember which or how many,
were consumed at that time. This was the last I
had to do with the remains. The tin box was de
signed to receive the thorax, though I had not
concluded where I should finally put the box.—
The fish-hooks, tied up as grapples, were to be
used for drawing up the parts in the vault, when
ever I should determine how to dispose of them,
and get strains enough. I had a confused double
object in ordering the box, and making the grapples.
I had before intended to get such things to send to
Fayal; the box to hold the plants andvther articles
which I wished to protect from the salt water, and
the sea air, and the hooks to be used there in ob
taining corraline plants from the sea. It was
: this previously intended use of them Jhat sugges
ted and mixed itself up with the . idea of the
other application. I doubt, even now, to which
use they would have been applied I had no
used the hooks at the time of the discovery.—
The tan put into the tea chest was taken from a
barrel of it that had beep in the laboratory for
iome time. The beg often brought in on Monday
wee not used, nor intended lobe used-jit belonge,
to a quantity obteined by me a long time ago, fot
eipennftnte in tanning, and waa Bent in by the
family toget it out of the way. Its being sent in
just at that time was accidental. I was not aware
that I had put the knife in the chest. The stick
found in the saucer of ink, was for making coarse
diagrams on cloth. The bunch of filed keys had
been used long ago by me in Fruit st., and thrown
carelessly By into a drawer. I never examined
1 and do not know whether they would fit any
0 l 1 oc^B the college or not. If there were
other keys fittingjdoors with which I had nothing
to do, I supposed they must have been all dupli
cates, or keys of former locks left there by the
mechanics or janitor. I know nothing about them,
and should never be likely to notice them amongst
ihe multitude ot articles, large and small, of all
kinds, collected in my rooms. The janitor had
lurnished me with a key to the dissecting rooms,
tor the admission of medical friends visiting the
College, hut I bad never used it. The' nitric acid
on the stairs was not used to remove spots of blood,
but was dropped by accident. When the officers
called for me on Friday, the 30th, I was in doubt
whether I was under arrest, or whether & more
strict search of roy rooms was to be had; the lat
ter hypothesis being hardly less appalling than the
lormer. When 1 found that we went over Cragies*
Bridge, I thought the arrest most probable. When
l found that the carriage was stopping at the jail,
l was sure-of my fate. Before leaving tbje carriage,
I took a dose ot strichnine from my pocket and
•wallowed it. I had prepared it in the shape of a
pill before I left my laboratory on the 23d. I.
thought I could not bear to survive detection. I
ihought it was a large dose. The state t>f my ner
vous system, probably.defeated its action partially.
The effects of the poison were terrible ijieyond de
scription. It was in operation at the College* and
before I went there, but most severely afterwards.
I 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 jailor, contained only a bottle of titric acid,
for domestic use. I had seen it stated in a news
paper that I had purchased a -quantity! of oxalic
acid, which it was presumed was to be iused in re
moving blood stains. I wish the parcel |to be kept
untouched, that it may be shown, if tHere should
be occasion, what it really was that I Had purch
ased. I have drawn up, in separate paper?, an ex
planation of the use I intended to make of the bldod
sent for on Thursday; the 23d, and of the! conversa
tion with Littlefield about the dissecting vault. • I
think that Pettee, in his testimony at the trial, put
too strongly my r words about having settled with
Dr. P. Whatever I did say of the kind, was in
the hope I entertained that I should be ible to pa
cify Dr. P., and make some arrangement with him,
and was said in order to quiet Pettee, who was
becoming restive under the solicitations of Dr.
Parkman. . » >
After Dr. Webster had stated most o ' the facts
recorded above on the 23d May, this question with
all the earnestness, solemnity and authority of tone
that Dr. Putman was master of was addressed to
him:
“Dr. Webster, in all probability your days are
numbered: you cannot, you dare not speak falsely
to me know ; you must not die with a ie in your
mouth; so, prove to yourself that your repentance
for the sins of your past life is sincere - ell me the
truth, then—a confidence to be kept sac -ed during
your life time, and as much longer as my regard
for the happiness of your family shall 1 eem to re
quire, and the interest of truth and just ce to per
mit. Search to the bottom ol your heirt for the
history of your motives, and tell me, before God,
.did it never occur to you, before the decease ol Dr.
Parkman, that his death, if you could bring it to
pass, would be of great, advantage* to you, 'or at
least that personal injury to him mightjpossibly be
the result of your expected conference] with him?
As a dying man, I charge you to answjer me truly
and exactly, or else be silent—had you not such a
thought?" .' 1
“No, never,” said lie with energy and feeling;
“as I live, as God is' my witness 1 , never T I
was no more capable of such a thought than one
of my innocent children. I never bad the remotest
idea of injuring Dr. P. until the moment the blow
was struck. Dr. I*, was extremely severe and
sharp—the most provoking of men—and lam ir
ritable and passionate. A quick handed and brief
violence of temper has been a besetting sin of my
life. I was an only child—much indulged—and I
have never acquired the control over my passions
that I ought to have acquired early, and the conse
quence is all this.’’
“But you notified Dr. Pakman to meet you at a
certain hour, and told him you would pay him,
when you knew you had not the money f'
“ No, he replied, “ I did not tell him l .would pay
him, and there is no evidence that I told him so,
except my own words spoken after his disappear
ance, and alter I had determined to take the ground
that 1 had paid him ; those words were of the mis
erable tissue of falsehoods to which I was commit
ted from the moment, I had began to conceal the
homicide. I never had a thought of injuring Park
man.”
This was accompanied by the statement in
which Protessor Webster attempts to explain as to
his seeing Littlefield, sending lor blood, and of in*
qutring about gases Irom the vault. After reading
the statement, Dr. Putman proceeded to argue as
ro its truthfulness, saying that it was made when
ifae writ of error was still, pending; Also, that
Professor Webster’s estate was worth several thou
sand dollars, and that he was not in such a-emit
as to commit such a crime deliberately. The pre*
vious petition from Professor Webster, protesting
his innocence, and praying for absolute pardon, he
said, was got up by his family, who were unwav
ering in their beliei in his innocence, until his con
fession was communicated to them about a week
since. He concluded in asserting his belief that
the confession- was true.
Members oftslhe council have retained a copy of
the petition previously presented,, and withdrawn
by the advice of Dr. Putman, which will probably
be published. It asserts his innocence, and it also
asserts that Littlefield, or some otherperson, placed
the re mains' in hi* room, to compass his ruin.
HEARING IN THE'WEBSTER CASE.
The Rev. Dr. Putnam to whom Professor Web
ster made his confession, having requested a second
hearing before the Governor and Council in case
the decision of that body was likely to prove unfa
vorable, a meeting was held on Friday afternoon
for that purpose. In the meantime the committee,
it appears, had submitted to a board of surgeons
the confession for examination, and this body was
also to have a hearing at the same meeting The
Boston Bee of Saturday gives the following account
of a scene which occurred there:
About an hour before the meeting of the Coun
cil, Mrs. Webster and her three daughters arrived
at the Council chamber, and obtained an interview
with Gov. Briggs, and his honor Lieut. Gov. Reed.
Mrs. Webster was dressed in deep mourning.—
Her three daughters seemed sorrow stricken and
almost heart broken. Mrs. Webster is evidently a
woman of great hope—firm and persevering to the
last. The eldest ’daughter, exhibits, in a great de
gree, the same‘valuable traits—doubly valuable
during this most Terrible struggle through which
they have been called to pass. The other two do
not look like the same beautiful girls who testified
in behalf of their father at the trial. Their charm
ingly healthful appearance have been exchanged
for one more sickly and sad.
Mrs. Webster, in conversation with Lieut. Gov.
Reed, said that she and her daughters earnesly pray
ed for a commutation of her husband’s sentence.
His previous letters to the Council, she said, asking
for a pardon, were written at her earnest solicita
tion. She strongly believed in his innocence, or
she would never have consented to their presenta
tion. “We feel assured of that; no one doubts
your sincerity, Mrs. Webster,” said Gov. Briggs,
who, until now, had sat a silent listener. I feel
that he must have committed the deed in a moment
of great provocation. I cannot persuade myself
that it was otherwise,” continued Mrs. Webster ;
“he doated upon his children—he was a good, kind
husband—and oh, sir, we earnestly hope, and pray
that you may find it consistent with your duties fo
the public, and consistent with the cause of justice
and humanity, to save him and our whole family
from the ruin and deep disgrace which threatens:”
The Lieut. Gov. replied to something which she
said. Mrs. Webster mistaking fiis words, looked
earnestly into hjs face, her eyes streaming with
tears, said, withia force we shallnevgr forget, “Did
you say, sir, it is impossible to commute bis sen
tence ?” “ Oh, I can’t tell you that, Madam—the
subject is before tlie committee. All I can say, is,
we will try most conscientiously to serve you, and
save your husband. It is a most painful duty.”
Mrs. Webster said she wished to assure his ex
cellency that she waslnstrumental in his presenting
his confession to their consideration, and desired
that they would construe it as favorable as duty
would permit. j, Mrsi Webster and her daughters
then retired.
The Cholera.
The Pittsburg Gazette of the 4th instant, says;
We regret to Jear%tbat the Cholera is prevailing
to a considerable extent in Cincinnati, and .'along
the river. Several boats have arrived here which
had cases aboard. One arrived on Tuesday evening
from Cincinnati; which lost three cabin passengers
by Cholera, and {had another on board in a hopeless
state. ' ;
By Telegraph.
CiaciHirAii, July 3.
The Board of jHealth reports this evening forty
deaths from Cholera during the last 48 hours.
July'6.—The;number of deaths in Cincinnati
from Cholera, for 24 hours, up to 6 o'clock last
evening, was aucty five. .