The Silverstream Murder.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9029, 29 March 1898, Page 2

The Silverstream Murder.

The following letters were written by Philpott, to bis counsel Mr Jellicoe, and explain the efforts made by that gentleman to obtain a commutation of the death sentence ;—March 4th—To Mr Jellicoe,—Sir, —l write this letter to you to ask, if possible, that you will apply to be heard by th» proper authorities on my behalf. In the first place I did not have a fair trial An ordinary observer (let alone, one in the position I was in) could plainly see that the object which the Judge aimed at was to prejudice the jury against me, and the manner in which he summed up was a stigma to England's boasted justice. The verdict returned against me was the product of prejudice, and not of evidence, and, thanks be to God, I can say it was not deserved, for 1 am innocent of murder, whatever I may be guilty of. I hear there is a rumor that I broke do^n in the cab. Thanks be to Almighty God I have nothing on my mind to break me down, only that I, an innocent man, should be branded a murderer; but even that is subdued by the glorious knowledge of my innocence—Sincerely thanking you, believe me to be, yours gratefully, Pkank Philpott, P. S.—Kindly do all that lies in your power to obtain a hearing on my behalf, and if you are successful and my case put before unbiassed minds my innocence will be firmly established—Yours, &c, F P. March 7 th. to Mr Jellicoe. Sir, — When I was arrested my wife visited me at the lock-up the following morning and told me that my arrest was published, and a long list of false names. It stands to reason that these names, in conjunction with my previous convictions, could not fail to influence public, opinion, and when this terrible charge was brought against me the whole community would be unanimous in their conviction (and did not fail to express it) that I was guilty. What chance had I of anything like a fair trial ? Throughout the whole the jury paid every possible attention to the prosecution but not to the defence. Since the report that my poor mate was missing the police and the public have been blinded. Yes! blinded by the knowledge of my previouscharacter, -blinded by the circumstances in which I was placed, grabbing at each atom which; would weave a rope round the neck of Frank Philpott, which has resulted in the condemnation of another man. In the meantime, never mind Sowerby, never mind anybody else, Philpott is the man, and so forth. The whole public immediately cried j ont, " Philpott is a scoundrel, hang ! him." Is this England's justice ? Is this a man's innocence until he is proved guilty ? If so, then a man is ! better dead than alive. If I was a < thief, a forger, an obtainer by false pretences, or anything else, thanks to the Almighty God I am not a murderer, j and they take the life of an innocent j man by hanging, yours truly, Frank Philpott. : March 9th.—Mr Jellicoe. Siiy—l: should very much like to see you if possible in connection with my case. It is very hard to be placed as I am r knowing as I do that though I have led a wild life, I have never done anything to deserve this bitter fate. Still, if it is God's will that I should Jie, then I must submit; but God knows it is hard to do so. I sincerely trust that the authorities will grant * hearing on my behalf, and I know fou will do all it "is possible to do to obtain it I cannot convince myself that suoh an injustice as my execution will be permitted to blot the name of this colony, for the truth will come out some day, perhaps before, perhaps. aot for years after, my death; but out it will come, and then those who are so bitter against me to-day will with Unavailing regret pity me, but that ?ity will not bring me back nor remove the blot the execution has brought upon England's boasted justice. Waiting, sir, in earnest jxpectation of seeing you very soon, jelieve me to be, your most sincere and