DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70301#0066
50
KIRBV's WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
observation, of the correctness of his memory at the time he
relates it, upon its agreement with some other circumstance,
the chain of proof, and the justice of the inference drawn
from it, to establish guilt. If you, or any of you, are not sa-
tisfied on any of those points, (for the whole twelve must agree,)
the union of the whole, that alone gives strength to such a
case, is dissolved, and the presumption of guilt is destroyed:
but allowing every circumstance that has been stated to be
true, still the charge against me remains unproved. Refer-
ring to what passed before the magistrate, for my knowledge
of what is to be attempted in proof against me, I take it to
be on the establishment of these three propositions:—first,
That I had a motive to induce me to the commission of the
murder;—secondly, That I had an opportunity of commit-
ting it;—and, lastly, That no other person could commit it.
With respect to my having a motive to commit such a crime
against a person with whom I lived in terms of so much in-
timacy and affection, God knows I shrink back with horror
at the idea; it is painful as death to me to be obliged to dis-
cuss this proposition; no thought injurious to him for an in-
stant ever presented itself to my mind; so far from intending
him any mischief, if my own life' could have preserved him
from the hand of the assassin, that should have been made a
willing sacrifice; instead of my having any motive to destroy
it, not only past acts of mutual kindness had formed our at-
tachment, which no clashing of interest could ever impair,
but at the time of his death his life was absolutely necessary
to the Welfare of myself and my family. My interest, as well
as my regard for him, were sure pledges for his security
against any attempt upon his life from me. My success in
life depended on his living. At this time I expected, from his
support, a return for the time and the money I had embarked
in his concern. I was just admitted to a share of his busi-
ness. A stranger in this part of the country; unacquainted
with the persons with whom Mr. Blight dealt—of what use
KIRBV's WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
observation, of the correctness of his memory at the time he
relates it, upon its agreement with some other circumstance,
the chain of proof, and the justice of the inference drawn
from it, to establish guilt. If you, or any of you, are not sa-
tisfied on any of those points, (for the whole twelve must agree,)
the union of the whole, that alone gives strength to such a
case, is dissolved, and the presumption of guilt is destroyed:
but allowing every circumstance that has been stated to be
true, still the charge against me remains unproved. Refer-
ring to what passed before the magistrate, for my knowledge
of what is to be attempted in proof against me, I take it to
be on the establishment of these three propositions:—first,
That I had a motive to induce me to the commission of the
murder;—secondly, That I had an opportunity of commit-
ting it;—and, lastly, That no other person could commit it.
With respect to my having a motive to commit such a crime
against a person with whom I lived in terms of so much in-
timacy and affection, God knows I shrink back with horror
at the idea; it is painful as death to me to be obliged to dis-
cuss this proposition; no thought injurious to him for an in-
stant ever presented itself to my mind; so far from intending
him any mischief, if my own life' could have preserved him
from the hand of the assassin, that should have been made a
willing sacrifice; instead of my having any motive to destroy
it, not only past acts of mutual kindness had formed our at-
tachment, which no clashing of interest could ever impair,
but at the time of his death his life was absolutely necessary
to the Welfare of myself and my family. My interest, as well
as my regard for him, were sure pledges for his security
against any attempt upon his life from me. My success in
life depended on his living. At this time I expected, from his
support, a return for the time and the money I had embarked
in his concern. I was just admitted to a share of his busi-
ness. A stranger in this part of the country; unacquainted
with the persons with whom Mr. Blight dealt—of what use