Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-23

'n~' We DC, oCiiCsiuE IuciH 70 oo HheOHoSu3
by Brown and others who wrote them, to
make capital for them at the north, and hold
them up as martyrs. Had the rascals been
hung at once, without judge or jury, much
of the clamor and excitement, north and
south, would have been quoted long ago
As it is, the leniency and kindness the pris-
oners have received, instead of meeting with
the reward, from our enemies, due such mag
nanimity, seems to have exaspcrated and rem
dered them more nefarious in their designs
upon the south, as evidenced by the tone of
the abolition press, and the hundreds of let
tiers received by Gev. Wise. Verify, we fear
the end is not yet
We announced last week that Cook had
been convicted Of murder, &c, and that he,
in connection with Coppie, Copeland, and
Green were sentenced to be hung on the 10th
of December. On being brought into court
to receive sentence, the prisoners were
directed to stand up and asked if they had
anything to say why sentence should not be
passed upon them. Cook and Coppie then
proceeded to deliver short addresses, the fer
mer being somewhat vehement in his man
ner of speaking, whilst the latter made .
firm impression by his quiet and collected
style of delivery. Both protested their ig-
norance of the attack on Harper's Ferry I'M
til the Sabbath before the night of the at
tack, when they were called on to swear to
obey the orders of their commander Brown.
Coppie stated that he knew be should be
punished for his fool-hardy attempt but he
thought it would have been lighter than had
been a~djudged. The negroes declined saying
anything.
The Judge then proceeded to deliver the
sentence on the prisoners. After a brief re-
capitulation of the circumstances of their
enormous crimes, he condemned them to be
hung on the 18th December. After which,
they were remanded to Jail, there to await
the execution of this judgment.
1t is supposed that Governor Wise will re-
spite Brown, who is sentenced to be hung on
the I'd Of December, until the day fixed for
the other executions, so that the excitement
attending the affair may be all gone through
with on the anne day.
There has been considerable excitement
about Charlestown, in consequence of the
burning Of barns, wheat-stacks, &C., in the
county, and a bold attempt to secretly muir
der a Mr.. Lucas, whose wheat-stack, valued
at $500 was also destroyed by the torch
of the ~incendiary. It is believed that the
county is infested with a band of abolition
~incendiaries. Should this turn out to be true,
and any of them are caught in the act, it is
most probable they will not have the benefit
of a jury.
The military appointed to guard the con.
demned culprits, are instructed by Governor
Wise, in the event of an attempt at rescue,
first to kill the prisoners and then turn upon
the rescuers.
The Columbia rs. CO. Guardian has learn
ed by a private letter, that a man by the
name of Wayne has been arrested in Bun
combe county, N. G. He was caught by DR.
Hilliard and Mr.. Patton, who took him GU
of his bed. He says that he killed a man il
Virginia, but it is supposed he was connec
ted in some way with the Harper's Ferry al
fair. An intercepted letter contains evidenc
enough to bring him to justice. 1t is sail
that there is areward of $500 offered for hin
by the Governor of Virginia. He had $40
in money on his person when arrested, whic'
he handed over to his lawyer.
This fellow has turned out to be Land, th
murderer, from Princess Ann, Va.
arrest at Memphis, Tenn, we ~announeet
| gular manner It seems that a week or tw
ago, a gentleman, while seated in q railroa
car between Baltimore and Philadelphia, dii
covered in the seat behind him q man ma
| fed to the chin, and apparently desiring q
much as possible to shield himself from oil
servation. AS the train neared q station, th
latter rose to his feet and left the car, as b
did so, accidentally dropping two letters an
q small memorandum on the floor. The gel
tleman picked them up, and finding that or
of the letters was sealed and addressed
John Brown, his suspicious were arouse'
The other bore the superscription of a ma
named Horner, directed to some point in vi
ginia, and had been opened. Satisfied thl
this letter could throw some light upon tt
seeming mystery, he perused its contents
And well they repaid him for his trouble
The letter stated that an agent of the unde
ground railroad, named Thatcher, had bet
in Memphis sometime during the month
August, where he had become ~acquaint
with one W. R. Palmer, residing there, al
that the two had an interview, (the lett
goes on to say Thatcher was informed
Palmer that whenever Brown was ready
strike the blow for the freedom of the slave
$ he could promise him any amount of mon
from Memphis merchants. The gentlem
then Immediately forwarded the letter
Gov. Wise at Richmond, whose subseque
y action in the matter led to the arrest.
Il Palmer has ad an examination by Writ
of a warrant charging him with having b.
J a conversation with certain slaves of the col
ty of Shelby and State of Tennessee, calca
ted to excite them to characterization and
: bellion. The accused was held to bail
the sum of 50, 500 for his appearance befi
L the Circuit Court, in default of which he v
committed to Jail.
q BURNED.-On the 18th, q store-house,
T. cupied as a drinking saloon, in the town
) Nashville, n. c., took fire. and before
IS flames could be stopped, they caught
le Eagle HOTEL on the adjoining lot, consu
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