Final Effort of Mr. Smith. – Mr. John Smith, the attorney for Palmer, applied to Sir George Grey for a postponement of the execution, grounding his application
First: Upon the character of Charles Newton, who was the principal witness upon the part of the Crown, and whose antecedents were unfortunately unknown to me at the time of trial; as also upon the character of Mills, whose previous history was, until a day or two since, hidden from me.
Secondly: Upon the absence of two witnesses, who could, I believe, have given satisfactory proofs to the disposal of the poisons purchased by the prisoner, as well to the disposal of John Parsons Cooke’s money.
Thirdly : Upon the discrepancy of medical testimony as to the power of finding of strychnine.
And lastly : The Judge’s charge. He asserts that part of Newton’s evidence is inconsistent with proved facts, and that Newton has been twice in custody for theft at Nottingham. He also asserts that the witness Mills perjured herself. On the medical and chemical evidence he repeats the statements already so often made, that the strychnine, if administered, would have been found. Lord Campbell’s charge is characterised as “one-sided and mistaken.”
Reply the Home Secretary. Whitehall, June 12, 1856. Sir, Secretary Sir George Grey has received and considered your letters of the 10th and 11th inst, in behalf of William Palmer, and he directs me to inform you that he can see nothing in any of the points that you have pressed upon his attention which would justify him in interfering with the due course of law in this case. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H WADDINGTON – John Smith, Bacon’s Hotel Great Queen Street.
