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358 TRIAL OF JOHN W. W EBSTER.
To Him who seeth in secret, and before whom I may ere long be
called to appear, would I appeal for the truth of what I now declare, as
also for the truth of the solemn declaration, that I had no agency in
placing the remains of a human body in or under my rooms in the
Medical College in Boston, nor do I know by whom they were so placed.
I am the victim of circumstances, or a foul conspiracy, or of the attempt
of some individual to cause suspicion to fall upon me, influenced per-
haps by the prospect of obtaining a large reward.
When first charged with this dreadful crime, I did not publish to the
world a declaration of my innocence, or any explanation of the circum-
stances tending to bring suspicion on me, solely in consequence of entire
ignorance of the course I ought to adopt, and implicit reliance on the
calmer judgment of others. I had, however, prepared for publication
a document to that effect; but as there was a strong disposition, from
the first, to misinterpret and misrepresent my every look, action, and
expression, it was deemed most advisable for me to preserve and main-
tain silence. The document was, therefore, with no little struggle on
my, part, withheld. Immediately upon my arrest, every means was
resorted to, to bend even the most trifling appearances in my labora-
tory, and insignificant circumstances, to add to suspicion, and to per-
vert them to my disadvantage.
In the state of mind in which I was, silence was constantly urged
upon me; and I complied, more strictly perhaps than I ought to have
done. Every method of poisoning the public mind and of exciting preju-
dice against me was resorted to; falsehoods, imputations, and fabrica-
tions were daily diffused; and I soon perceived that the contradiction of
one would lead to others, and that the refutation of them all would be an
endless task. I therefore submitted in silence and resignation, believ-
ing that the time must shortly arrive when He who bringeth light out
of darkness would cause the truth to appear, and my innocence be made
manifest to all.
Had I previously been aware of the use that was to be made of some
circumstances on my trial to give an unjust and erroneous impression,
if unexplained, I should have been provided with evidence to explain
them most satisfactorily.
Some of the statements, references, and circumstances, however, could
not be fully explained or disproved without the testimony of my wife,
of which unfortunately, I could not avail myself. I now pray Your
Honors that the evidence may be reviewed by you, and that the testi-
mony of my wife may be heard and received, as also my own state-
ments and explanations.
Repeating, in the most solemn and positive manner, and under the
fullest sense of my responsibility as a man and as a Christian, that I
am wholly innocent of this charge, to the truth of which the Searcher
of all hearts is a witness, I would humbly and respectfully pray that the
privilege I have asked may be granted. I do this under the full belief
that the testimony and explanations I would now offer are such as will
disprove many things, impair very greatly the evidence of at least two
witnesses, and place in their true light circumstances now obscure.
On this review of my case, Your Honors will, I trust, find sufficient
reasons for reversing the decision of the Court, and for the interposition
of mercy.
The knowledge of my feelings and habits, and of my various engage-
ments and occupation of time, both before and after the disappearance
of Dr. Parkman, have, from the first, been sufficient assurance to my
afflicted family of my innocence; and neither that, nor their trust in
Him who has sustained both them and me in our days and nights of
sorrow and sadness, have been shaken by the unlooked-for result of
my trial. They would pray to be permitted to unite with him who is
their sole earthly dependence in this petition, believing that your
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