New York Globe report of the Webster Case, 1850,
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New York Globe report of the Webster Case, 1850,
Image No: 2
   Enlarge and print image (79K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
:Y d y ,~ TRIAL of PROF. 'WEBSTER. F I RST D AY_ SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT FOR SUFFOLK. MARCH TERM. TUFSD-w, March 19th, 1850. Present, Chief Justice Stiww, Associate Judges WILDS, METCALFE, and DEWEY. Counsel for the Commonwealth, Hon. JoiiN 11. CLixr oxn, of New Bedford; Attorney Ca eneral, GFoasE BFmis, Esq., of Boston. Counsel for the defense, 11011. PLIPNY IUEniiicic, of Worcester ; E. D. S0Tii>in, Esq., of Boston. 101, A. M.-Private Court-room,galleries, avenues, Rc., crowded to excess by an anxious mul- titude. Nothing done yet. Removal of tine Prisoner from the l.everett Street Jail. At 7 o'clock this morning, Prof. WFBSZ•Ex, was taken from his cell in the Leverett street jail, where he had enjoyed a comfortable sleep last night. He moved out with a quick, firm step and cheerful air. He was then conducted to a hackney coach in irons, and was then conveyed to the Court-house, accompanied by officer Edward J. Jones. ro The Arraignment of the Prisoner. Some female witnesses entered the Court-room shortly after the doors were opened, and the various reporters of the public press, the officers of the Court, and several members of the bar, soon filled up the body of the room. Entrance of the Prisoner. A little before 9 o'clock, and sometime before the .Judges took their place upon the bench, the Prisoner entered and immediately tools his seat in the dock. His step was light and elastic. In crossing toward his place, his countenance betrayed a degree of calm and dignified composure which created some remark from persons at the time in the Court. On taking his seat, Prof. Webster smiled as he saluted several of his friends and acquaintances, to some of whom he familiarly nodded, and a stranger would have taken him for an ordinary " spectator. He wore his spectacles, and sat with ease and dignified composure in the dock, occa- sionally shaking hands with some of his friends. The countenance of the prisoner indicated-to the physiognomist strong animal passion and irascible temperament. The cheek bones are high, and the mouth, with compressed lips, betray great resolution and firmness of character ; the forehead is inclined to angular, rather low and partially retreating ; standing below the middle hight, and by no means a man of strong muscular strength. His general appearance makes no favorable impression. About 9 o'clock the Judges entered the Court-room, and soon every available place of accom- modation was jammed up to excess. The Court-room being filled to its utmost capacity, on the prisoner being called upon to plead, he stood up firmly in the clock, and pleaded ° NOT r rT LLry, in a strong and firm tone of voice, and while sover;J of the Jurors were being examined and questioned by the Court, as to wheth- er or not they had formed or expressed an opinion, he m;Ynif'ested much anxiety as to the answers given. In the course of the examination, officer Edw:irdJ_ .Jones attended the prisoner at the dock, and his counsel, William D. Sohier, Esq , and Judge Merrick, took their places immediate- ly outside, near the prisoner, a.nd were actively engaged scrutinizing the Jury panel, and attend- ing to the swearing in of the Jurors. Aspect of the Court-Room. There was a degree of deep solemnity about the Court room as the examination proceeded, . ; j and the grave appearance of Judges upon the Bench, the constant buzzing that prevailed as e~