Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-11-04
THE TRIAL OF BROWN AND HIS
AgGnnTATEg

AZ inc opening OF inc trial. MI p'Neo iN"N
a dispatch from Akron. Ohio. signed "a. II
Lewis, stating that insanity is hereditary in
Browns family. His mothers sister died
with It; two nieces and one nephew Of Brown
are now inmates of the lunatic asylum, and
another nephew under close restraint
Mr.. Bolts stated to the Court on reading
the dispatch to Brown. the latter said there
had never been insanity in his fathers family,
but reported instances of it in his mothers,
and added that his first wife showed symp-
toms Of it, and also two sons by that wife.
Some portion of the statements of the dis
patch he knew to be true Of Others he had
no certain knowledge. But, nevertheless, he
desired his counsel TO state that he does not
put in plea of insanity. He dsdained to
put in that plea, and seeks no immunity Of
that kind the movement to that end was
made without his appreciation or knowledge
oven. At the conclusion Of his counsel's
statement. Brown raised himself from the bed
and said. 81 would add, il the Court will al
low me, that | look upon the plea as a miser-
able artfco. ! am perfectly unconscious Of
insanity ! reject, so Car as ] am capable Of,
any attempt to interfere on my behalf on that
score
Mr. Bolts asked for further time, to enable
counsel to reach Charlestown from Cleveland.
Mcssrs. Hunter and Harding opposed tho
motion for delay, and were replied to by Mr..
Green.
The Court refused to grant the motion.and
the Jury were then sworn in the usual FORM
and the indictment read, the prisoner being
allowed to forcgo the usual form of standing
while being arraigned, if he desired it, Brown
accordingly continued 20 lie PROSTATE on his
cot while the long indictment was being read.
The indictment contained three counts
lst Insurrocton I'd, Treason; Sd, Murder.
Mr.. Harding then addressed the jury, pre-
sonting the several facts Of the case, together
with the laws against treason, colluding with
slaves TO incitc instruction, and murder-all
punishable with death. He then went into
an elaborate detail Of the matters he expected
to prove.
Messrs. Bolts and Green, on behalf of the
prisoners, cautioned the jury as to their du-
ties towards the prisoners, as well as to the
Commonwealth
At the afternoon session, the examination
Of witnesses was commenced, DIR. Star being
the first.
John Copeland, the mulatto prisoner, la.
made a full confession. He has given the
names Of the parties at Oberlin, who induced
him to go to Harpers Ferry, furnished mon.
ey for his expenses. &c. He also states thai
movement Of a similar character was con
templated in Kentucky about the same time
and many persons in Northern Ohio. whos'
names have not been heretofore mentioned
are directly implicated. The confession i
withheld from the public till after the trial
D by Gov Wise's order.
a letter from Capt. Brown to one Of Bit
r sons, dated April TO- 1859. details visit t,
Gcrrit Smith. at Pcterboro which he regard
ed as highly encouraging lie says that Smiti
gave him $3.50; that he also received at BIZ
house note which be considered good TO
5000 more and that Smith had written T.
some friends at the East for $1,000 for Brown
: of which he would agree to furnish onc-hltl
himself There is also notice OF a draft irou
= the Cashier of the New York State Bank 70
500, sent Brown by direction of Smith, dat
=. ed Albany. Aug 20, 1889 Gov Wise OBJ
3, iccts to the publication of the details Of tn
- correspondence which has been discovered
CHAMBERsBuRG, PA. Oct ~ ~ Thre
Sharp's rifles, and a small lot Of ammunition
were found in the woods this morning b.
8 some boys Ono rifle has &C p Tidd' OF
the mounting. They were no doubt place.
under the bushes by the men left on the noun
N tain. Washingtons pistol has not been rccov
n cred and nothing has been seen of the men.
Capt Cook was taken to Virginia to-da
e by officers from that State, and the party VIII
f. arrested him.
2. BALrNoRL, Oct. Considerable excite
h ment was caused at Frederick City this after
e noon, By a report that large body Of aboli
Ie tionsts had crossed from Pennsylyani {
m Virginia with the intention Of rescuing III
70 Harper's Ferry insurrectionists A militar
ID company left Immediately to assist in the de
in fence Of the Charlestown Jail. The whole a
S. fair is believed to be a hoax
OF CHARIEsrowN, Va, Oct 2s.-Yesterda
or afternoon was taken up by the examination
ed three witncsses-Doctor Story, Conduct
be Phelps, and Luwis A. Washington-but notl
'h ing of Importance was ELECTED that was not a
n ready known. The Court adjourned at
II o'clock.
K Orders we're given to the jailers to sho
n all the prisoners, IN the event of an attem
r. at rescue.
n George H. Hoyt of Boston arrived here t
day as counsel for Brown, who still keeps
bed.
yo Mr.. Bolts announced the arrival of NJ
Ike Hoyt, to assist in the defense. in case his SC
y vices we're needed and at the suggestion
en- Mr.. Hunter. he was admitted as counsel,
Id The trial proceeded.
re Conductor Phelps was recalled and exami
~ ed on questions prepared by defendant
n when and by whom firing commence
IN, He testified that no attack was made up
-y, Brown, until after the man Haywood was sh
Wy Lewis Washington was recalled He t,
S tilted in answer to questions by Bolts ii
to negotiations for the release Of prisoners We
as, opened before the general firing commenc
on Monday During the conflict Brown fl
o- quently gave orders not to FIRE on unarm
tn, citizens. Brown had rife in his han
ne, when struck down by the marines,
lat Mr.. Hunter here laid before the jury t
rst constitution and ordinances Of the Provision
re- Government.
ain Mr.. Hunter proposed to prove Brow
Ter hand writing, when the prisoner offered
ace identify it himself "He was ready, he sal
Sc, "to face the music" Mr.. Hunter PREFER
it proving it by Sheriff Camboll, who was
SIS cordingly called and identified large bunt
the of letters, Brown also, acknowledged thu
in authenticity. Mr.. Hunter also presented
asst list Of members of the convention, headed
ut. VIM. Charles Morris President, and
no Kagi, Secretary; and likewise read the Gid