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390 APPENDIX.
the execution. The prisoner had felt great anxiety in regard to this
closing interview, lest he should betray himself. VV hen it was over, he
felt greatly relieved, and spoke cheerfully. He had detected no sign
of a recognition of the fact that this was their last interview in the
demeanor of his family: neither had the jailer. To the latter, as they
left the cell, they addressed some remarks plainly indicating their expec-
tation of re-visiting the prisoner. An immense crowd had assembled in
Leverett street, and about the jail, to see the unhappy family as they
went out; but Mr. Andrews took Mrs. Webster and her family through
his own house to a door opening on Lowell street, where a carriage
was waiting, and they thus escaped the scrutiny and remarks of the
multitude.
One incident, which seemed to affect happily the spirits of the prig-
oner during the interview with his family, may be worthy of mention.
For several months, they have been in the habit of reading the Bible
to him in his cell, taking the chapters of the New Testament in regular
course, without skipping. The chapter which thus came up yesterday,
and was read, was that exultant and consoling chapter, the 15th in
Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, in which occur the words:-
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom
of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed,
In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet
shall
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed,
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and when this
mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death
is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory:
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
The prisoner seemed much impressed by the coincidence, which had,
without calculation on any one's part, given this chapter to be read
at his last interview with his family, and on the last day of his earthly
existence. He recurred to the incident, after the interview, with very
obvious pleasure, and seemed to derive much hope and consolation from
the inspired assurances of the apostle as to the resurrection of the dead,
sown " in dishonor " and " in weakness."
During a great part of the day yesterday, the prisoner occupied him-
self with setting aside little memorials fob those few friends in whose
charitable feelings towards him, when he was gone, he might hope. He
selected a number of his books, and wrote in them the names of sev-
eral persons, towards whom he wished to express some recollection of
past obligations and favors. He seemed to take much interest in this
occupation. Mr. Sohier, counsel for the prisoner, visited him during
the day, and took leave of him.
Quite a number of applications have been made to see the prisoner
during the last two weeks. Clergymen from various parts of the coun-
try have sought an interview; and he has received numerous letters of
an admonitory or consoling nature. The interviews he has, in most
instances, declined. The letters he has read. Indeed, throughout his
imprisonment, he has kept up his interest in outward affairs, although
his thoughts have seemed to be mainly devoted to studies and medita-
tions appropriate to his situation.
THE PRISONER'S LAST NIGHT.
The last interview of Dr. Putnam yesterday with the prisoner took
place between half-past seven and nine o'clock last evening. Officers
Jones and Leighton were present in the cell, by the sheriff's orders.
Dr. Putnam wished more privacy, and the matter was finally com-
promised by dismissing the officers, and having Mr. Gustavus Andrews,
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