The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-11-08
TRIAL OF OLD BROWN,
The leader Of tie abolition Lusurrection.


Although Brown has been tried and convicted, we
publish below of the testimony brought out on
his trial. that readers may of the facts
of the Bolts and Green counsel for the prison
cr, and Mr. Hunter against hin1
Col Lewis Washington sworn, and testified
as follows:
Between one and two o'clock on Sunday night
| was in bed at my house, five or six miles from
Harpers Ferry; was awakened by hearing my
name called in the hall; | supposed it was some
friends arrived, Whd being acquainted with the
house, had como in through the kitchen without
making any noise; | and opened the door
into the hall, and before me stood four men, three
armed with rifles levelled and cooked, aud the 4th,
Stevens, with revolver in his right hand and a
torch-light in his left. One of the men said SIS
your name Washington" | said it was. | was
then told that / was prisoner, and one Of them
said "Dont be frightened" l replied, "Do you
sec anything that looks like fright about me?"
no." he said, IL only want to say that if you sur
render and come with us freely, you are safe. >
Another said they wanted my arms, and l opened
the gun closet for them to help themselves. They
then explained their mission, which they repre-
scented as being purely philanthropic-to-wit: the
emancipation Of all the slaves III the country. AT
ter 1.Is dressed Stevens said to me- Have you
got any money r. replied Il wish had great
deal" "Be careful, sir" said he. told him if
] had money | knew how to take Of it, and
he could not get it lie asked me if had a watch
My reply was Il have, but you cannot have it.
You haze set yourselves up as great morasts and
Ebcrators of slaves; Row it appears that you
robbers as we'll" BE careful, sir" said he again.
/ told them | was dressed and ready to go. They
hade wait short time and my carriage would
be at the door They had ordered my carriage for
NE, aud had broken open the stable door to get it
out My servant, whom they had forced alJng, was
driving. suspected they were only robbers, and
expecting all along that they would turn off at
some point, but they drove directly to the Armory.
Brown out and invited me in, sayingthcre was
- comfortable fire, and | shortly afterwards met
with Mir Allstadt, whom they had arrested on the
way and brought along III my buggy wagon.
Brown told TO make ourselves comfortable,
and added, ''By and by shall require each of you
gentlemen, to write to some Of your friends to send
u stout negro man in your places" This was by
way of ransom He told he must see the letter
before it was sent, and he thought after this was
elected they could make al arrangement by which
We could return home
Mr. Bolts Counsel for the prisoner elected
the following a cross-examination OF Mr. W:
Negotiations were pending with Brown for the re-
lease OF the prisoners before the general firing COM
Inenced on Monday. Does not know whether all
the prisoners signed the proposition for a suspen-
sion of firing. At the opening Of the negotiations
Brown frequently suggested that the prisoners
should cross the bridge with him to the second ca
nal lock- his party not to be fred upon until after
they reached t:at point. No objection was made
by any Of the prisoners TO the proposition. Brown
said he too old soldier TO yield the adYanta-
,,es ne possessed in holding hostages. Browns son
was wounded during the day, in the breast, the
ball passing around to the side; but he took his
weapon again and fred frequently before his suffer
in"s compelled him to retire. Heard Capt Brown
Il l. IL 81 4
in firing flag of truce, heard him make 10
threat expressions Of vindictivcness against
the people. Mr. Brewer went out and brought in
Promise that the people would not fire while the
negotiations pending. Cannot say that all
he firing Of Captain Brown his was in self
defence. Heard Brown give frequent orders not
To lire on unarmcd citizens. The first firing Was
against the cmeine-house. Brown said the people
appeared To pay but little regard to the lives of
citizens, and must take our chance with them |
After ii e first attack on the engine house by the |
marines, there was not general cry of surrender
one cried surrender" but others fought on |
Brown had rife in his hand when he was struck |
down by the marines and cut over the head with a
sword by Lieut. Green.
Sheriff Campbell sworn-knows the hand-wr- !
ting of the prisoner; has copied letter for him.
Captain Brown said he would identify himself |
any of his nd-writing, and save all that trouble
lie ready to face the music.
Mr. Hunter said he would prefer proving them |
by Mr. Campbell.
Captain Brown Either way; as you please
\ large bundle Of letters were produced, each |
being identified by Mr. Campbell, and handed to
Brown who at the first glance replied to each, in q
loud voice: eyes, that is mine These papers
and letters were about fifty in number.
On receiving a list Of the members of convention,
Mr. Hunter read it, It was headed, William
Charles Morris, President Of tho convention; and
II. Kagi, Secretary of the convention. On hand
lug the list to Brown, he exclaimed, with a groan,
That's my signature
In reference TO another paper, he said, II have
nothing to Say about that" He next read letter
from j. h. Gddings acknowledging the receipt of
a letter from Brown, and stating that he would be
pleased to see him at his house during the summer,
lir Hunter then read the letter from Gerrit Smith
about kansas work, already published; it is
dated June, 1859, and endorsed on the back in
Browns writing.
Armstead Ball, master machinist of the armory
testified that on Monday carly in the morning, he
was aroused by Benjamin Hobbs, announcing that
persons were at the armory carrying off Govern
ment property When he reached the gates he
was accosted by two armed men and seized as a
prisoner.
Capt, Brown said it was his determination to
seize the arms and munitions of the Government
to arm the blacks, to defend themselves against
their masters Brown also made proposition to
himself and other officers of the armory to deliver
into his possession the munitions of war belonging
IN the Government We iad that tbav prara