Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-11-08
Trial of the Consnirators.

was resumed at Char lestown, on Monday, the
81st ult. The Court met at O'Clock, the pris-
oner Brown was brought in and laid onIhis bed
az usual. Mr. Griswold opened the argument
for the defence. He denied that the offence:
charged in the indictment, treason, murder &c.
had been sustained by the evidence, and con-
tended that 1t was only an attempt to run OF
negroes Mr.. Chiffon followed on the same
side, and Mr.. Hunter, in behalf OF the Common
wealth, concluded the discussion.
Mr.. Chiffon asked the Court to instruct the
jury that if they believed the prisoner was not
citizen of Virginia, but of another State, they
cannot convict him on the count OF treason
The court declined, saying the Constitution did
not give rights and immunties alone but it also
imposed responsibilities.
a recess was taken for half an hour. When
the jury came in with their verdict an intense
excitement prevailed.
Brown sat up In bed while the verdict was
rendered as follows: "The jury lind the prls-
oner guilty of treason in advising and conspirlng
with slaves and others to rebel; and OF murder
IN the first degree"
Brown laid down quickly and said nothing
There was no demonstration OF any KIND.
Mr.. Chiffon moved an arrest OF Judgment,
both on account of errors in the indictment, and
an error in the verdict. Brown was remanded
to Jail.
MIR. Harding announced that he was ready
to proceed with the trial of Ooppee, who was
brought in and took his seat between Messrs.
Griswold and Hoyt, who appeared as bis coun-
se i9
The remainder of the day was spent In en-
deavoring to obtain o jury, but the panel was
not complete, when at 8 o'clock the court ad-
|journed.
morning. He Is small man, not over flve feet
five inches in height, and weighing about 100
pounds. lie has a stupid look, and is regarded
as the least intelligent of the whole party.
Previous to proceeding with Coppee's trial,
Mr.. Griswold stated the points on which the
arrest of Judgment was asked in Browns case.
In addition to the reasons mentioned yesterday,
that it had not been proved, beyond room Tor
reasonable doubt, that the prisoner was even
citizen of the United States, he argued that
treason could not be committed against State,
INIT only against the General Government, citing
the authority of Judge Story Also that the
Jury had not found the prisoner guilty of the
crimes as charged In the indetment apd nag
not responded to the offences charged, but had
found him guilty of offences not charged. they
find him guilty OF murder In the Hrst degree
when the indictment don't charge him with
offences constituting that crime.
Mr.. Huuter replied, quoting the Virginia code,
to the effect that teohnicaties should not arrest
the administration of justice, and as to the
Jurisdiction over treason, it was sufficient to soy
that Virginia had passed law assuming that
Jurisdiction and defining what constitutes that
crime. The Court reserved its decision. brown
was present during the argument
The jury were then sworn in UopPees case.
| The testimony was the same as that already
published. There was but brief examination
of witnesses. The case was not concluded when
the Court adjourned.
On Wednesday, Coppees trial was resumed,
but no witnesses were called for the defence
Mr.. Harding opened for thegommonweath, and
Messrs. Hoyt and Griswold followed for the
defendant, when Mr.. Hunter closed for the
prosecution. The speeches Of all were marked
| by ability. Mr.. Griswold asked for several in
structions to the jury, which were all granted
|by the Court, when the jury retired,
| Capt. Brown was then brought In, and III the
court house was Immediately thronged. Inc
Court gave ts decision on the motion for an
arrest of judgment, overriding the oo)ectlon
made. In regard to the objection that treason
cannot be committed against the State, the court
ruled that wherever allegiance Is due treason
may be committed Most OF the States nave
passed laws against treason. The oolectlon as
to the form of the verdict rendered the court
also regarded as insufficient,
The Clerk now asked the prisoner If ne had
anything to say why sentence should not be pro-
nounced against him.
Brown stood up and, in a clear, distinct voice
said: ST have, may it please the Court, few
words to say In the first place deny every
thing but what have all along admitted, OF o
design on my part to free slaves. l intended
certainly to have made clear thing of that
matter. as did last winter when went into
Missouri. and there took slaves without the snap
ming of a gun on either side. Moved them
through the country and finally left them in
Canada. I designed to have done the same
| thing again ON larger SCALE That was all |
Intended. Ineyer did intend murder, or treason,
or the destruction ofproperty, or to inote slaves
to rebellion, or to make instruction. .,1.
81 have another objection, and That is, 1T is
unjust that should suffer such penalty. Had
interfered in the manner which | admit, and
which admit has been fairly proved, (or adj
mire the truthfulness and candor of the greater
norton of the witnesses who testified in this
case)-had so interfered in behalf Of the rich
and powerful-the intelligent-the so-oalled
great, or in behalf of any OF their friends either
father or mother, brother sister, wife or chill
dren. or any of that class, aud suffered and sac
rificed what have 10 this Interference it would
! have been all right, and every man in this court
would have deemed it an act worthy of reward
rather than punishment.
RE then proceeded briefly to justify his
course by quotations from the Bible
"Let me say one word further, feel entirely
satisfied with the treatment have received on
my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it
| has been more generous than expected, but
feel no consciousness OF guilt have stated
| from the first what was my intention, and what
was not. | never had any design against any
person, nor any disposition to commit treason
or excite the slaves to rebel or make any gene
raj instruction. / never encouraged any man
to do so, but always discouraged any idea OF the
kind. Let me say also in regard to the state
ments made by some of those connected with me,
| fear il has been stated by some of them
that 7 have induced them to join me. But
the contrary is true, | do not say this to
iuiure them. but as regretting thesr weakness.
| There is not oneof them but Joined me OF his
own accord, and the greater part at their own
expense A number of them | never saw and
never had word of conversation with till
the day they came to me, and that was Tor 70, the
purpose have stated. Now have done"
While Brown was speaking perfect quiet pre-
| vailed. Whenhe had finished the Oourt pro-
ceeded to pronounce sentence.
After some preliminary remarks in which the
the Judge said that no reasonable doubt could
exist as to the prisoners guilt the Court sentenced
him Mtn ha hing in nnhlic on Friday the End of