The manner in which the compensation for this murder was paid is a circumstance worthy of consideration.  By examining the facts and dates, it will satisfactorily appear that Joseph Knapp paid a sum of money to Richard Crowninshield, in five-franc pieces, on the 24th of April.  On the 21st of April, Joseph Knapp received five hundred five-franc pieces, as the proceeds of an adventure at sea.  The remainder of this species of currency that came home in the vessel was deposited in a bank at Salem.  On Saturday, the 24th of April, Frank and Richard rode to Wenham.  They were there with Joseph an hour or more, and appeared to be negotiating private business.  Richard continued in the chaise; Joseph came to the chaise and conversed with him.  These facts are proved by Hart and Leighton, and by Osborn’s books.  On Saturday evening, about this time, Richard Crowninshield is proved, by Lummus, to have been at Wenham, with another person whose appearance corresponds with Frank’s.  Can any one doubt this being the same evening?  What had Richard Crowninshield to do at Wenham, with Joseph, unless it were this business?  He was there before the murder; he was there after the murder; he was there clandestinely, unwilling to be seen.  If it were not upon this business, let it be told what it was for.  Joseph Knapp could explain it; Frank Knapp might explain it.  But they do not explain it; and the inference is against them.

Immediately after this, Richard passes five-franc pieces; on the same evening, one to Lummus, five to Palmer; and near this time George passes three or four in Salem.  Here are nine of these pieces passed by them in four days; this is extraordinary.  It is an unusual currency; in ordinary business, few men would pass nine such pieces in the course of a year.  If they were not received in this way, why not explain how they came by them?  Money was not so flush in their pockets that they could not tell whence it came, if it honestly came there.  It is extremely important to them to explain whence this money came, and they would do it if they could.  If, then, the price of blood was paid at this time, in the presence and with the knowledge of this defendant, does not this prove him to have been connected with this conspiracy?

Observe, also, the effect on the mind of Richard of Palmer’s being arrested and committed to prison; the various efforts he makes to discover the fact; the lowering, through the crevices of the rock, the pencil and paper for him to write upon; the sending two lines of poetry, with the request that he would return the corresponding lines; the shrill and peculiar whistle; the inimitable exclamations of “Palmer!  Palmer!  Palmer!” All these things prove how great was his alarm; they corroborate Palmer’s story, and tend to establish the conspiracy.

Joseph Knapp had a part to act in this matter.  He must have opened the window, and secreted the key; he had free access to every part of the house; he was accustomed to visit there; he went in and out at his pleasure; he could do this without being suspected.  He is proved to have been there the Saturday preceding.