The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-03
From Special Report for the Baltimore American.
THE BROWN FORAY AT HARPER'S
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Charlesto,c,a, Va, Oct. 25.-The Magistrates
Court assembled here this morning, to examine
the prisoners captured in the recent Insured
ton. The following magistrates were on the
bench: Col. Davenport. Presiding Justice; DR.
Alexander, John j. Lock, John F. Smith, Thorn
as Il. Willis, George w. Eichelberger, Charles
II. Lewis and Moses W. Burr.
AT half past ten O'clock the sheriff was di
rected to bring in the prisoners, who were con
Quoted from jail under guard Of eighty men
A guard was also stationed around the court
house, their bayonets bristling on all sides.
Charles B. Harding, Esq. attorney for the
county, was assisted by Andrew Hunter, coun
sci for the Commonwealth.
The prisoners were brought in amidst pro
found silence. Brown and Edwin Coppee were
manacled together. Brown seemed weak and
haggard, with his eyes swollen from the effects
of the wounds on his head. Coppee is unin
jured. Stevens seemed less injured thar
Brown, but looked haggard and depressed
He has also number Of wounds on the head
John Copeland is bright mulatto, about rs
years of age. Green is dark negro, about 80
years of age.
Sheriff Campbell read the commitment of the
prisoners on the charge OF treason and murder
when Mr.. Harding, the States attorney, asked
that the Court might assign counsel for the
prisoners, if they had none.
The Court inquired if the prisoners had
counsel, when Brown addressed the Court as
follows:
"Virginians, did not ask for any quarter at
the time l was taken. ] did not ask to have
myself spared. The Governor Of the State OF
Virginia rendered me his assurance that
should have fair trial, and under no crcum-
stances whatever will be able TO attend to a
trial. If you seek my blood, you can have it at
any moment without the mockery of trial.
al have had no counsel. have not been
able to advise with one. know nothing about
the feelings of my fellow-prisoners, and am ut
terly unable to attend in any way to my own
defence. My memory don't serve me. Ny
health is insufficient, although improving.
There are mitigating circumstances, if fair
trial is to be allowed u.s. that would urge in
our favor. But il we are to be forced with a
mere form of trial to execution, you might
spare yourself that trouble. i am ready for my
fate | do not ask trial. plead for no
mockery of trial--no insult--nothing but that
which conscience gives or cowardice would
drive yon to practice.
81 ask to be excused from the mockery of
trial / do not know what the design of this
examination is. / do not know what is to be
the benefit of it to the Commonwealth. / have
now little to ask, other than that be not pub
lcly insulted, as cowsrdly barbarians insult
those who fall into their hands"
The Court assigned Charles j. Faulkner and
Lawson Bolts as counsel for the prisoners.
After some consultation with the prisoners,
Mr.. Faulkner, addressing the Court, said:
| was about to remark to the Court, that, al
though feel at any time willing to discharge
any duty which the Court can legally aud by au.
hority of law devolve upon me, am not, in
the first place, aware of any authority which
this Court has, sitting as an examining court,
to assign counsel for the defence. Besides, it
is manifest, from the remarks just made by one
of the prisoners, that he regards the appear
ance of counsel, under such circumstances, not
as bona .tfde act, but rather as mockery.
Under these circumstances, do not feel dis
posed to assume the responsibility Of that posi-.
position, connected with my having been at the
place of action, and hearing all the admissions
of the prisoners, which render it improper and
i,serpedieRt for me to act as counsel. If the
Court had authority to order it peremptorily, l
should acquiesce and obey that authority, but /
am not aware that there is any such power vest
ed in this Court, and, as tits of the prisoners
desire, will see that full justice is done them.
Mr.. Bolts said he did not feel it his duty to
decline the appointment of the Court. He was
prepared to do his best TO defend the prisoners,
and he hoped the Court would assign him
some experienced assistant il Mr.. Faulkner de-
clined.
Mr.. Harding then addressed Brown, and