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272 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER.
account of how he came by it. Dr. Parkman's body is mutilated, under
such circumstances as I have shown you could not exist without the
prisoner's knowledge. His own movements, acts, declarations, and the
unconscious disclosures which his fear of detection wrung from him, are
evidences of his guilt.
Now, Gentlemen what were his financial relations to Dr. Parkman?
Here is a most instructive chapter. Dr. Parkman had held two mort-
gages:-one to secure the four-hundred dollar note, which was given in
1842; and another, which secured that note and another note for two
thousand four hundred and thirty-two dollars, which was given. in 1847.
The mortgage that was given in 1847 covered all his household furni-
ture, all his books, minerals, and other objects of natural history. The
cabinet of minerals had been disposed of, and his books and household
furniture constituted the remaining security for the two thousand four
hundred and thirty-two dollar note, in which was included the four-
hundred dollar note, although it was still retained by Dr. Parkman.
In 1842, Dr. Parkman had made a loan to Dr. Webster of four hundred
dollars, and had taken a mortgage.
Mr. Merrick.-There is no evidence of it.
Attorney General.-It appears that it was so. He took his note for
four hundred dollars. In 1847, a loan is made to Dr. Webster, of which
Dr. Parkman contributes five hundred dollars. The whole amount of
that loan is sixteen hundred dollars. In addition to that, there is a
balance of three hundred and forty-eight 83-100 dollars, which is included
as an indebtedness to Dr. Parkman on the former loan; five hundred
dollars contributed, and three hundred and forty-eight 83-100 dollars
which is still due on the four-hundred dollar note,-constituted Dr. Park-
man's interest in the larger note. Dr. Parkman takes the mortgage for
himself and for all the other contributors, in his own name. Dr. Web-
ster subsequently, according to the statement found in his possession,
made by his friend Mr. Cunningham, had paid all Dr. Parkman's con-
tribution to that loan, except $125.
On the 25th of April, 1849 the actual indebtedness of Dr. Webster
to Dr. Parkman was $456.27. That was made up of the old balance upon
the four-hundred dollar note, which, at that date, amounted to $348.83,
and $125, the balance of the new loan, and then deducting from these,
$17.56, for which Dr. Webster held Dr. Parkman's receipt. These, you
will see are the items which make up $456.27; and they are due at
different times. All Dr. Parkman's interest in that two thousand four
hundred and thirty-two dollar note is included in the $456.27. Then Mr.
Cunningham tells him, in the paper which you will have with you, when
you retire to deliberate,
"You owe Dr. Parkman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , $456
27
Mr. Prescott „ „ „ 312 50
Mrs. Prescott „ „ „ 125 00
Mr. Nye 50 00
Mr. Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 00
$968 77"
Now, do you think that Dr. Parkman, with his habits of business
intended to cancel that mortgage? You will remember that I invited
the counsel to explain this. But they stopped their evidence at this
point, and so it stands upon the papers. Dr. Parkman never intended
to take that mortgage with him to the Medical College for any such pur-
pose. Other parties had an interest in it. He says, on this very note for
$2,432, that the other mortgage given to secure the four-hundred dollar
note is to be cancelled when he receives $832 on the large note. He had
received $375 before Mr. Cunningham made his examination. Then there
was a balance due him, as we have shown, of $456.27: and to the other
contributors to the loan, there was due a further sum of $512.50, which
was included in the large note and secured by the mortgage.
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