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TRIAL OF JOHN 1'V. WEBSTER.
after this, I recollected that the laboratory-stairs door had been
fastened, I
during Friday, or Saturday. The first that I ever knew it to be fastened,
was on Friday afternoon, the 23d. This was the only door, that I had
occasion to know anything about. About the commencement of the
lectures, Dr. Webster asked me, if I would not get the water from his
laboratory, because, he said, the water was not clear; the pipes were
new, and he did not like to leave it running, as it spattered his floor.
Somewhere about four o'clock, on Friday afternoon, I sent a little girl
to get water, that way, and she came back, and told me, that she could
not get in, as it was all fast. I told her, that she must be mistaken,
but I went with her, and found the door really fastened.
I recollect the door being fastened, Saturday morning, when I went
to get water for breakfast. I had occasion to go for water, more than
once, during that same day, Saturday, and found the door still fastened.
I could get the same water in our cellar; but as Dr. Webster had
requested me to get it from his pipe, I tried to do so.
I don't know whether I went to the door, for water, on Sunday. On
Monday morning, Dr. Samuel Parkman came to my kitchen-door, and
asked for Mr. Littlefield. I told him that he was about the building
somewbere. He then asked for Dr. Webster; and I told him, that I
thought he was in, as I saw him pass up a few minutes before.
I showed him the way, and wynt to the door,-the laboratory-stairs
door,-though I did not know whether he could get in. But the door
was open, and Dr. Samuel. Parkman went up. I don't know as I told
Dr. Parkman the reason, why he probably could not get in, though I
think I did. Shortly after, I went to the door to get water, and found
it fastened, I never tried the other door; only the one from the cellar
to Dr. Webster's laboratory.
I think it was the same forenoon, though I am not so sure, that the
express-man brought a bundle of grape-vines, a box, and a bag, and
placed them on our cellar-floor. He had never left things in our apart-
ments so, before; but had always carried them to Dr. Webster's apart-
ments, himself.
At other times, when Dr. Webster was out, the expressman would
get in, by means of a key hung tip near,the door. This time, the articles
were left in our apartment. I don't know where the key was, that
morning. I don't recollect anything in particult about going to the
doors, though I tried them a number of times. I remember, that, on
Thursday, the doors were locked. I then asked Mr. Littlefield to put
the grape-vines into the laboratory. He said, he could not, as the doors
were all locked up; and he went to the door, and shook it, and said,
" You see, I cannot get in." The grape-vines, and the box were there:
whether the bag was, or not, I can't say. The grape-vines were in my
way, and the children were getting there all over the rooms.
On Wednesday, I saw Mr. Littlefield listening, and trying to look
through the key-hole. When he saw me, I told him to come away,
and I asked him-[Further answer arrested.]
Mr. Bemis,-Please to state, whether you have seen your husband
attempt any other modes of gaining information about Dr. Webster,.
except by looking through the key-hole?
Mr. Sohier.-We object.
Mr. Bemis,-to the Court.-The inquiry- was, whether the witness
had seen Mr. Littlefield, attempt to do anything further, to ascertain
whether Dr. Webster was in his laboratory.
Mr. Merrick.--It would be to corroborate their own witness; which
is not allowable, unless he has first been impeached. We do not object
to the Government offering evidence to show that Mr. Littlefield tried
the doors; but if. they propose to show that he was lying down, we
object.
Attorney General.-I suppose, that anything which goes merely and
exclusively to corroborate Mr. Littlefield, is not admissible; but that
any fact which goes to show that Dr. Webster was in his room, or any-
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