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prosecutor to give in proof of the bad character of the defendant;
and it cannot be done, unless the party on the other side puts in evi-
dence of his good character.
Gentlemen, I am sensible that there are a great many facts here.
It is impossible that a great many things should not be omitted. I
shall feel rejoiced if I have stated such of the main considerations
of this case as shall enable you to come to a fair and just conclusion.
Many things press upon my mind which I intended to mention; and
yet I have taken as much time as I ought to take.
Gentlemen, we commend this case to your serious consideration.
Weigh it under the rules of law. Consider that you have been called
upon and set apart; in the first place, drawn by lot from those most
experienced. You have been then selected from the body of those
who have been drawn, with all the advantages of which the condition
of humanity will admit. And, Gentlemen, when it is said that it is
possible to err, that is true. It is nothing more than to say that we
are human. It is always possible to err. All that we can hope to
do-you in your department, and we in ours,-is to exercise the best
faculties of our minds, to give all the weight to the evidence which
it deserves, to weigh carefully on both sides; and although we should
come to a result which, at some future time, may be proved to be erro-
neous, yet still a consciousness that we have done our duty will
sustain us. I commend this cause to your consideration. Take
sufficient time, weigh the evidence, and give such a verdict as will
satisfy your own judgment, and your own sound conscience, and I
am sure it will be a true one.
THE VERDICT.
Immediately on receiving the charge from the Chief Justice, the
Jury retired, and the Court took a recess till a quarter to eleven
o'clock.
As the hour drew near, the Court began to be again filled with the
anxious crowd, who had heard that the Jury had sent to come into
Court. A deep silence pervaded the room, as the announcement was
made, that the Jury had agreed. Even from the densely filled gal-
lery, there was hardly a sound that fell audibly upon the ear.
At twelve minutes of eleven, the prisoner, pale and thoughtful, was
conducted to his seat within the dock. Shortly after, the Jury came
in, solemnly and slow, and took their seats, as though they felt deeply
that theirs was a painful task. Soon the Court entered; and the
most thoughtless listened with breathless attention, to catch the first
sound of those thrillingly important. words, which, in a few short,
flitting seconds, were to decide the prisoner's fate.
The profound and painful silence was first broken by the Clerk,
who said
Gentlemen of the Jury, have you agreed on a verdict ?
Some of the Jury. Wa have.
Clerk. Who shall speak for you, Gentlemen?
Some of the Jury. The Foreman.
The Clerk then said-'° John W. Webster, hold up your right
hand! Foreman, look upon the prisoner! What say you, Mr.
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