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nal difficulties, these intrinsic corruptions, in the testimony-then,
Gentlemen, this mass of net-work, these great theories arid hypoth-
eses of the Government, crumble away, as the cloud and the mist
are dispersed in the beams of the rising and refreshing sun.
Gentlemen, allow me to contrast, for a moment, with these consider-
ations, affecting how far you must judge the credibility of Mr. Little-
field concerning the conduct of Dr. Webster, some other facts.
Would Dr. Webster, Gentlemen of the Jury, do you think, have done
all that has been found to be done in that building, if he had been the
perpetrator of this crime? Do you think he would have multiplied
proof, and made proclamations to invite suspicions upon him ? That
is unnatural. He would not have done what he never did before.
Gentlemen, is it likelv he would have scattered these remains, in order
that they might have been most, readily found ?-that be would have
made a fire, so as necessarily to attract attention ? Why, you find
improbabilities starting upon the testimony of Mr. Littlefield. You
find corresponding improbabilities in the conduct of Dr. Webster.
And, let me approach, Gentlemen, those considerations which have
the strongest presumptive tendency to manifest the innocence of Dr.
Webster, First, Gentlemen, where-are the traces of crime ? Where
are the marks of blood in this laboratory ? The physicians have told
you the quantity of blood in the human body. Has blood been
found ? A half a dozen spots on the left side of the pantaloons, and
two or three upon the slippers, which have been. in that room for
years ! The medical gentlemen say they cannot tell how long those
spots have been there. That is all you can find. These clothes have
been where blood is sometimes used, as Prof. Horsford testifies; and
half a dozen spots are found, and that is all. Do you think they
came from Dr. George Parkman ? And, except these traces, which
might have been there before, there is not to be found the slightest
mark of violence. there.
Now, GAntlemen, there is no mark of violence-either of blood,
of stain, or of instrument. Nothing !' The knife which is found is
untarnished; the Turkish knife contains no blood. The floor is
not marked with blood. There is no indication of violence! and
yet, it is said, that, at noon-day, two muscular men met - muscular
and strong, though in advanced life ; - Dr. Parkman, a vigorous
man, and somewhat powerful; Dr. Webster, such as he was; - that
this mortal struggle occurred; that a mortal blow was given, and no
blood was found, though the pavement was taken up, though the
walls were searched, though the garments were ransacked, - and no
blood found, save what has been mentioned, which might have been
there years before!
The overalls were carried away, Littlefield says; and yet, Horsford
testifies he found them there, after he came. The policemen used
them for pillows; - I do not believe they rested their heads on blood.
Professor Horsford has examined them, and he finds no blood.` Is it
possible that this crime can have been committed by Dr. Webster ?
Again, if it is done, is it possible that he has done it without prep-
aration ? He is a chemist ; he understands this power of his over
the human muscle and the human bone. If he had meditated this
murder, he would have dissolved to liquid every inch of Dr. Parkman's
body and bones, in proper vessels, cut up as it was, in much less time
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