Then they turned back—it was about 3 o'clock-had been to dinnerhe thought it was on a Friday-the next Friday before--certainly within a week. They were not aware of his being within hearing-was waiting for Mr. Davis to go to work-soon after this he heard of the murder will be 18 years old the 30th of December-cannot be under any mistake as to the import of the conversation-nor as to the persons. Capt. Knapp lived in the house. F. Knapp came there frequently— did not know Richard Crowninshield-never has seen him to his knowledge-does not remember F. Knapp's coming to the house but once since the murder-it was in the evening after 9 o'clock, and be fore he came there to live-cannot tell exactly when-believes Mrs. Beckford was living there at the time-came in a chaise, a gentleman with him-a slim man, about as stout as Francis Knapp-F. got out and went into the house-he went to the door with Joseph BeckfordCapt. Knapp was at home-he asked for him, and Joseph Beckford told him he was at home-when F. K. was going in, Capt. K. met him at the inner door-they went in and shut the door-nobody else in the room-they staid together about an hour-the other person did not get out-sat in the chaise all the time F. K. was in the house-they went off together-could not tell which way they took, for the house stands at the end of a lane-they staid about an hour-did not give their horse any food or water.

Cross examined. The house is about fifty rods from the road. It was by the gate that he heard the conversation. Mr. Davis was in the house at that time. The two Knapps were standing at the gate by the house, when he left them-sat down to take a nooning as usual before he went to work, and to wait for Mr. Davis-he had just done dinner-they had dined-they stopped at the gate by the house, and he passed by them-they saw which way he went-instead of going on to work he sat down. Mr. Davis staid in the house and afterwards came along-did not tell Mr. Davis what he heard-has been called upon to testify by Mr. Waters and another-they sent for him to Mr. Waters' office in Salem-told them he could not recollect himself--was carried to Mr. Waters' office twice--left the Knapps standing in front of the house-did not go into the room. The avenue was in another direction towards the pasture-the gate where the Knapps stood is in the fence which parts the avenue from the field-it is about forty feet from the house to the gate, and about fifty rods to the place where he got. over the wall by the gate in the avenue; the place where he got over could not be seen from the gate where the Knapps stood--has tried-because he was afraid, if they saw him, they would kill him-if they had known that he was there and heard the conversation, he was afraid they would kill him-thought they must have known that he sat down there-if they saw him get over the wall, they might think he heard the conversation--if they could have seen him at the wall they could have seen whether he sat down or went on. He first saw Mr. Waters a week ago last Thursday, believes it was that day-was carried to Mr. Waters' office--did not say that he knew nothing about it, as he remembers-did not say he had never told Mr. Sterrat that he knew-said he could not have his recollection about him-told them he did not know any thing about Francis Knapp, and that he did not know, that Richard Crowninshield had been up there---they told him that Mr. Sterrat said he had told him something about the matter he replied,

that he did not recollect it-could'nt then remember, that he had told Sterrat any thing about it—he did not remember any thing then, for he was taken suddenly and frightened-told Mr. Waters to come the next day and he would tell all he could recollect-did then remember, but told them he had not his recollection about him-said so because he did'nt calculate to tell any thing about it-they told him that Doctor Kilham and Mr. Sterrat were in the shop, and knew what he said, and that he must recollect-was in the office an hour or more-they told him he would be brought to court, but did not say any thing would be done with him--he said what he did to Mr. Sterrat before he thought, and checked himself, without telling what he knew-saw Mr. Waters at Mr. Lummus' tavern last Saturday--they wanted him to tell what he knew; and he did tell them immediately, all he knew--they did not tell him they had a warrant for him. He was going to pick rocks, when he heard the men talking, and looked round to see who they were -did not look over the wall but round the end, between the wall and the gate post-the wall is about four feet high-they were half way from the house when he heard the talking, but could not tell what they said -they came down within three or four feet of the wall, then he heard what he had stated, and that was all that he could hear to understandnever told it to any body till after the murder of Mr. White-did not know what it was about till after that-did not think it very strange, till after the murder.

Examined again by Mr. Webster. Mr. Sterrat keeps a shop in the neighbourhood-he went in there, and Dr. Kilham was present, and when Sterrat asked him about the murder, he replied, they think I don't know any thing about it, but I guess I know more than they think for -then he checked himself, because he was afraid if he told of them, and they got clear, they would kill him. Francis Knapp after the murder used to play round him with a dirk and prick him with it-first told the conversation to Thomas Hart, a boy, when they were at work together-afterwards told Mr. Davis that he heard something but did not say what-told it next to Mr. Waters-nobody had attempted to frigh ten him that he knows of-was taken away suddenly by a sheriff, who read him a regular summons-never saw F. Knapp have a dirk before the murder, or any thing but a sword cane-is afraid now, that if they get clear they will kill him—had told Sterrat before he knew there was a reward offered-did not know how much was offered, but heard there was a reward.

It being near night, the Court adjourned till the next morning.

WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUG. 4. Rev. Mr. Colman, has had no particular personal acquaintance with the prisoner, not having known him even by sight till the 28th of May last-had occasionally visited a prisoner in an adjoining cell, and was at that time called to visit Francis Knapp-went into the cell with his brother Phippen, who said, Joseph has determined to make confession, and we want your consent-he was not able to give the reply in the precise words, but the import was, that the prisoner thought it hard that Joseph should have the benefit of making the confession, since the thing was done for his benefit, or advantage.-F. said, 'I told Jo, when he proposed it, that it was a silly business and would only get us into difficulty.'-Phippen, as I understood, to reconcile Frank to Joseph's making

a confession, told him that if Jo. were convicted, there would be no chance for him, (i. e. for Jo.) but if he were convicted there would be some chance for procuring a pardon.-Phippen then appealed to me and asked me if I did not think so—I told him I did not know, and was unwilling to hold out any improper encouragement.

(Here the counsel for the prisoner interposed and said, that they could not consent to have any confession, made by the prisoner, introduced; and after considerable argument and consultation by the Court it was decided that the confessions of Knapp, if he made any, after the hope above expressed, were made under such inducement as would render them inadmissible. The witness was not allowed to state whether Frank consented to Joseph's confessions, or admissions of his own knowledge.)

Mr. Colman however, testified afterwards, that no promise or encouragement, or threats were made to the prisoner, except such as was in the words above related. Knapp asked him if he would use his influence to procure a pardon. He replied, that he could promise nothing, but said he thought that his youth, &c. would be in his favor—no intimation of favor if he would confess facts within his own knowledge, was made in his hearing. He found a club after the interview with the prisoner, (and produced it,) he found it under the steps of the Howard street meeting house, (of which a plan was shewn,) on the 29th of May, about 1 o'clock. Dr. Barstow and Wm. Fettyplace went with him at his request--found it under the steps nearest the burying ground. They are of wood. There is a rat-hole large enough to admit his hand-on the first trial he did not reach it, but thrusting his hand an inch or two further, he brought it out.

When he was asked who directed him to look there for it, the council for the prisoner objected if it was a part of his confession, the whole of which was excluded by the order of the Court. The Court finally overruled the objection, and on being asked again, he answered, “ the prisoner at the bar-he gave precise directions--went at once, and found it, as above stated."

John C. Palmer, called. Gardiner objected to have this prisoner testify on oath, because he did not believe in a future state. He was then sworn to answer such questions as might be asked, and said, he believed in a Divine Providence, and in a future state of rewards and punishments. He was then sworn and testified:

Knows the prisoner-was intimate with George and Richard Crowninshield-has been in company with them and F. Knapp, at the Crowninshield's house at Danvers, twice. The first time on the afternoon of the 2d of April last, about 2 o'clock. Frank came out with a young man named Allen, on two white horses-saw him in company with George C.-Allen was in company with Richard-they walked away -didn't see them in the house-was in a chamber of the house him. self-saw them from the window-George and F. Knapp walked away together-did not see them again, till after 4 o'clock- -came between1 and 2---after 4 he saw them all four-Allen and Knapp got on horseback, and rode off-don't know where--the two Crowninshields came immediately into the chamber where he was-there was something said at that time about the proposed murder-both George and Richard spoke of it. George in the presence of Richard proposed to him to be concerned in the murder of Capt. Joseph White-can't say what

now.

the object of the murder was without referring to the statement of what F. Knapp had said. (He had been directed not to state what the Crowninshield's told him Knapp had said, except when Knapp was present.) They offered him one third of the money George C. would receive, which was $1000 to be paid by J. J. Knapp, jr. George said it would be easy to meet him that night and overset his carriage---no, it was Richard said so. George said he had gone out to his farm. Joseph's object was to have a will destroyed. George gave him reasons for engaging in it, and said he was poor, had no funds, and that would be a good opportunity for him to obtain money-no other time than that was mentioned for committing the murder-nothing was mentioned about entering the house---they said the house-keeper would be absent from home at the time he would be murdered. Francis came again that day between 7 and 8 in the evening---came alone in a chaise -thinks he staid over a half an hour---went in company with Richard in the same chaise---said he was going to the mineral spring----didn't see Frank Knapp, afterwards,---never has seen him from that time till Richard came home between 11 and 12---don't know how he came-left Danvers the next afternoon, Saturday. The will was to be destroyed at the time of the murder. Joseph Knapp was to get it—he could have the keys of the trunk from Mrs. Beckford the house-keeper -he was to get the will, and at the same time the man was to be murdered said the will gave the estate to Mr. Stephen White, who lived at the Tremont House, Boston-left the place on the next day after this interview. Saw the Crowninshields next on the 9th of April-went to their house somewhere between 11 and 12 at night-went under the window and spoke to George-he opened the chamber window and asked who it was-] -I told him, and asked him to come down-he asked if any one was with me, I said no, and he came he then asked if I had heard the news, I said, yes-left there the next night and went to Lynnfield and put up, and went the next afternoon to Providence, staid in P. two days. On the 27th had another interview with the two Crowninshields at their house-staid there till the 29th-had four 5 franc pieces on the 29th from Richard-asked him for it, and promised to return it-went to Lowell, from there to Boston and afterwards to Roxbury and to Belfast, by water, the master's name, he believes was John Boyles--wrote from Belfast to Joseph J. Knapp.

The Court here adjourned to half past two.

IN THE AFTERNOON.

Palmer's examination continued.

he said was the one he wrote.

A letter was shewn to him, which

Before reading this letter to the Jury, the prisoner's counsel objected and the Court ordered, that two letters written by J. J. Knapp, jr. in consequence of receiving this, should be introduced first; in consequence of which

William H. Allen was called. Two letters were handed to him— has seen them before-put them into the Salem Post office, on Sunday. afternoon, between 5 and 6 o'clock, the 16th of May, at the request of Joseph J. Knapp, Jr.-he gave them to the witness for that purpose, and said that his father and Nat. (Phippen,) came up to see him yesterday, at Wenham, and brought with them an anonymous letter, from a fellow somewhere down East, containing, as he thinks he said, a devilish

lot of trash-the fellow wrote, I know all your plans and your brother's, and will expose you, if you don't send me money-they had a good laugh at it, and requested his father to give it to the Committee of Vigilancethey had made fun of it—what I want of you, is, to put these letters into the Post office, and nip this silly affair in the bud. I think these are the words he used-he said several other things-but witness could not recollect them-said his mother Beckford was getting old, and spoke in a frivolous manner.

The letters were read by Webster-one was addressed to Hon. Stephen White, Salem, Mass. and run as follows-Lynn, May 30th, Mr. White will send the $5,000 before tomorrow night, or suffer the painful consequences. N. CLAXTONPORT. The other was addressed to Dr. Gideon Barstow, Salem, and begun in this manner:-May 30th, 1830, Gentlemen of the Committee of Vigilance. Gentlemen, Having heard that you have taken up four young men on suspicion of having committed the murder of Capt. White, I think proper to inform you that the Hon. Stephen White, came to me one night and offered to give me $5,000 if I would do it. The letter then detailed a plan according to which it was to be done and also the circumstances of the murder, pretty much as they were supposed to have taken place, accusing Mr. Stephen White of participation, and was signed "GRANT." The letter to Joseph J. Knapp, was addressed without the designation of Junior and fell into the hands of the father; it threatened Joseph the son with exposure if he did not send money to a certain town, and was also signed, "GRANT."

Palmer called again and cross examined. Frank and Allen came to Danvers as before stated-they hitched their horses to a tree near the house-saw no one else there at the time-he went from there to Lynn and Lynnfield-expected to meet John Dearborn-staid at the half way house from 6 or 7 in the evening till 9 in the morning-believes Dearborn belongs to Chester N. H.-agreed to meet them with him-wished to see him there-did not write to him-calculated to go to N. Y. with him to go to work-the kind of work would have been agreed upon if he had met him-could not tell what kind of business they would do-it would have been settled when they met had been for the first time in Salem nearly 3 years before the murder-went to Crowninshieldss-was acquainted with them-went to see them-had an invitation from George in New York-left Salem a little time after-did not come again till last March or February-cant tell every place he was at during that interval-was in N. Y.-was at home, at Belfasthas been to sea-has no particular occupation-lived in Thomastown two years-declined telling what he did there.

Webster objected to this examination, but the court thought it was proper, and told the witness that if he could not answer any question without criminating himself he might say so, and be silent.

On being asked again what was his employment while at Thomastown he replied-cutting stone-did it for the State-dont know that he can tell who employed him for the State-because he dont knowbecame acquainted with Dearborn there he also worked in the employment of the State-came to Salem last February-lived at the Coffee House a fortnight—was a part of the time at Danvers-went by the name of Carr, a part of his name-he prefered it at that timewas in no business-lived at the Crowninshields-with George and