The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-11-04
Trial and Conviction of Capt. Bro own.


Tho trial Of Capt Brown, which com
menced at Churlcstown, Va on the 2Gth inst,
was concluded on Monday last, aud the
jury, aftor recess Of half an hour, found n
verdict of guilty of murder and treason. A
motion made by Mr. Chiffon, ono of Browns
counsel, for an arrest of Judgment, was
argued on Tuesday, but, as tho Court re-
served its decision, VIC have not learned
tho result.
Tho testimony Of witnesses during tho
trial oictod few new facts. Brown instruct
ed his counsel not to enter the plea of in.
sanity, declaring that, if he vas or over had
becn insane, tho fact was unknown to him.
This was considered very conclusive owl.
dcnce Of his soundncss of mind, by tho Vir.
Akron, Summit Co, where Brown formerly
resided, sent telegraph dispatch, Mt the
! commencement of tho trial, to Mcssrs.
Faulkner and Botts, then counsc' for Brown,
stating that insanity was hereditary in tho
Brown family, and that persons residing in
Akron, who were knowing TO tho fact, would
attend tho trial, If desired. But the Court
would grant no delay.
From tho beginning Of the trial to its close,
tho most indecent haste was mauifes cd l,v
tho Court, and tho counsel for tho prosccu
ton, to convict tho prisoner, no time being
allowed his counsel tor preparation, or con-
suItation. Brown said, ut tho outset. that.
if he was to havo fair trial, ho desired
short time for preparation, but, if he was to
bo hurried through a mock trial to tho gal
lows, he hoped that those who hold him in
custody, would save him from the pain AMI
insult, BY hanging him at onco. Aud, for
all practical purposes, why would it not
have been as we'll to gran, the request of the
dying man d: He declared his inability, in
consequence of his woun6s, to attend to his
trial but tEo Court. decided to proceed with.
out doiay.
On tho 2Sth. Mr. Geo. T. IToyt, of Boston
was qualified as counsel for Brown. IL,
was unacGulintcd wit h tho evidence, tho in.
dictment, and tho Virginia Code. Mr.. Botti
expressed his willingness to givo Mr.. Hoyt
his notes, take him to his Office, and sit up
all night, to instruct him in tho law and tho
facts. But no delay was granted. On the
same day, after thrco witnesses for tho do
fcnso had been examined, and othors called
who did not answer to their names, Brown
made a speech to tho Court, expressing u
want of confidence in his Southern counsel,
and charging them with nogiocting to sub
/ rena witnesses, aB ho had instructed them
to do. Messrs. Bolts and Green thon with
drow from the case On Saturday, Samuel
Chiffon, of Wushingtcn,and Hiram Griswold
ofClCYuIand, appeared rs counsel for Brown
! but, though they wcro unacquanted with
the case, tho Court decided that mo NOR,
delays could be granted" Ii is but just tC
say, that tho Court allow cd Mcssrs. Chiffon
and Griswold the privilege ofa fcw minutes
consultation with their client.
Tho testimony was concluded and the
opening argument for tho prosecution made
on Saturday afternoon and, on Monday
the arguments wcro all concluded.
Mcssrs. Griswod and Chiffon defended
tho prisoner with ability but, of course, i
was all unavailng. lio was known to DO
doomed man from tho hour of his arrest
and will undoubtedly bo sen tenced and OK
ccutod, as ho has boon tried. without delay
We desire nothing but simple justice-iegdl
justicc-for Brown but such trial us b,
has had, seems to us mockory Of tho very
name of justice any kind. Since he wat
admitted to bo guilty Of planning tho affail
at llarpcrs FUrry, what necessity but sucl
as Slavery creates. existed for such summary
proceedings rs characterized his trial from
beginning to end !: Justice, not to sny mag
nanimity, would have been moro honorable
and moro polite.
A jury has been sworn in tho case of Cop
pco, and his trial. at last accounts, was il
} progress ,Alossrs. Griswold ard ll1yt appear,
ing as his counsel.