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224 TRIM. OF JOHN W. WEBSTER.
which was usually kept in the kitchen of Mr. Littlefield, put it was not
there. This, however, cannot be very important; for it is not improbable
that Mr. Littlefield himself had the key at that time. Mrs. Littlefield
also confirms her husband in a few instances on different days on which
she found the door, through which she had usually before that time
,entered the laboratory for the purpose of obtaining water, barred against
her entrance.
These circumstances of corroboration are, however, of too little con-
sequence to deserve much attention and cannot in any way essentially
affect the testimony of Mr. Littlefield. It is to be estimated upon much
higher and more comprehensive considerations. Though consisting of
a vast variety of statements in detail, its influence perhaps is chiefly
felt in its general character and tendency; its tendency is to show, that,
immediately upon his interview with Dr. Parkman, the whole conduct of
Dr. Webster was so entirely changed, both in regard to manner in which
the doors of his apartments were kept constantly locked and fastened,
and the objects upon which he was himself employed while within them,
as to afford the most manifest indications of his guilty connection with
the human remains which were afterwards found there. When such is
the general purport and tenor of the testimony of a witness, it is of the
highest moment to determine if it is worthy of confidence; for, if it can-
not be received but 'with hesitation and distrust, neither human life nor
human liberty should be dependent upon any deduction to be drawn
from it.
We do not attempt to impeach the general character of Mr. Little-
field for truth and veracity. Nor do we place much reliance upon dis-
crepancies and contradictions. Some mistakes he has certainly made:
some errors he has fallen into; and some differences between him and
others would be discovered upon a comparison of their respective state-
ments. But upon these matters, I am not disposed to dwell; though I
must say, that we should always be extremely careful not to place too
much dependence upon witnesses who are seen to have fallen into error,
even though the errors be not of a serious magnitude. A wide berth
should not be given to those upon whose oaths depends the fragile thread
of human life.
It is not therefore on the ground of his misrecollection and misstate-
ment of several circumstances which he subsequently corrected, but upon
the essential characteristics and peculiarities of his testimony, that I
appeal to you in reference to the degree of credibility which you should
accord to him; and I shall ask you if there be not intrinsic difficulties
and palpable manifestations in his own statements, which will make
you question his reliability and refuse him your confidence.
Consider the testimony which is before you. Consider especially that
portion of it which relates to his suspicions and watchful observation
of Dr. Webster, and to his proceedings in the discovery of portions of a
human body in the vault beneath the laboratory, and you will not want
material from which to judge of the credibility to which he is entitled.
In entering upon that investigation, it will be most convenient to
commence at some point from which observation of the whole testimony
may be,most effectually made. That point is Sunday evening, when he
had his first interview and conversation with Dr. Webster relative to
the disappearance of Dr. Parkman. He says that he was inquired of
where he last saw him, and that he answered, on Friday last, at half-
after one o'clock; that Dr. Webster thereupon said, " That is the very
time when I paid him, in the College, the sum of four hundred and
eighty-three dollars." He adds, that his appearance was at that time
so peculiar and unusual,--looking upon the ground, instead of holding
lip his head and looking in his face, as he before used to do,-so pale,
confused, and agitated,-that suspicions immediately came into his mind
that he had murdered Dr. Parkman. What a, strange and remarkable
result! Up to that moment there had been a kindly relation between
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