Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 170   Enlarge and print image (67K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 170   Enlarge and print image (67K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
1i0 TRIAL Ob' JOHN W. WEBSTER. posed; and I saw that it was necessary to apply to the City Clerk. There was nothing else of importance, in relation to the mortgage; or, rather, there were two mortgages, of which I took a minute. There was con- siderable other conversation, to which I did not pay attention. In the course of the interview, Dr. Webster said that he had been over to see Dr. Francis Parkman, and tell him that he was the person who was to meet his brother. He also said, that on his return, he had asked the toll-man if he saw Dr. Parkman come over the bridge to Cam- bridge, as he had understood that he did; also, that he had called on Mr. Paige, the City Clerk, to see if the mortgage had been cancelled. He said that he did not find Mr. Paige at home, as he was not aware that communion-day in his church came on the last Sunday of the month, instead of the first; and, so, that he was detained: that he had ascertained from him, that the mortgage was not discharged. I made the observation, that we could call at Mr. Paige's, ourselves, and make the inquiry for our own satisfaction, as we returned home; that Mr. Paige might have overlooked the cancellation, by mistake. I then left the house. I saw nothing peculiar about him, except his giving me the date of the wrong mortgage. I didn't notice any trembling. I had a good deal of conversation with him; a part of the time, was making minutes of the dates, &c., which he gave me. To the Chief Justice.-The first mortgage which he gave me the particulars of, was the large one. I made minutes, as he read. Mr. Thompson, resumes.--I was acquainted with Dr. George Park- man, and had known him ten years. I had seen him very frequently, during the last five years. I saw him last, on Friday, the 23d of Novem- ber, in Causeway street in this city. I should think that it was ten or fifteen minutes past two o'clock in the afternoon. I was going down the street towards Charlestown, and he was coming up, towards Leverett street. We met a little below the middle part of the street. On one side of the street there was a milliner's shop, and on the other, a car- penter's shop. I was going down on the left hand side, and he was com- ing up, on the opposite sine. It was somewhere near Portland street. I fix the day, because I paid for this coat, which I now have on, on that day, and I also made an abstract of a title for a merchant in India street, which was paid for, that day, and of which I have the copy of the receipt which I gave. I had not been in Boston, before, for nine days. To the 'Chief Justice.-I made the examination of the title at the Registry-office in East Cambridge, and was on my way to the mer- chant's store in India street. When I went to the store in India street, I did not find the gentleman in, and at the request of his clerk, put in writing, what I wished to communicate to him. He paid my bill, and I gave a receipt, of which I took a. copy. Direct, resumed.-I started from East Cambridge to walk over, at three or four minutes of two, according to one clock.-By the clock on the Court-House, it was just two. The first place that I called at, in Boston, was the store of Orr N. Towne, at the corner of Elm axed Hanover streets. I stopped there to leave some deeds. I took out my watch to see the time, and found that it was twenty-three to twenty-five minutes past. two. This was after I met Dr. Parkman. I had walked in from East Cambridge, through Leverett, Causeway, Merrimac, or Portland, streets, to Mr. Towne's, at a quick pace. I noticed Dr. Parkman's appearance, when I met him. He was dressed in a dark frock-coat, dark pants, and dark hat. When I saw him, he had his hands behind him, and appeared excited, as if angry about some matter. I did not turn round to look after him. He was walking, at the time. I recalled this to mind, on the Sunday following, and so stated to Mr. James H. Blake, at about five o'clock in the after- noon.