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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~
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