Smyrna times., 1859-11-03
Trial Of the Insurrectiorists.


Brown and his fellow prisoners rho were ta-
ken alive at IIarper's Ferry, are now being tried
in Virginia, and are to be as hastily executed
as circumstances will adnit.
The examination of John Brown, Aaron C.
Stevens, and Edwin Coppie, white men, and
Shields, Green and John COPELAND, colored, COM
menced on Tuesday of last week. at Charles.
ton, the county seat of Jefferson county, in Vir-
glnia, distant about eight miles trnm Harper's
Ferry. The charge against them set up is te-
ionlons conspiracy to make an abolition insur-
rectlon and open war against the commonwealth
OF virginia, TOR making open war, for numbering
divers citizens, and for melting slaves to rebel
and make insurrectiun. The practice in that
State differs from the practice elsewhere in
this point, that in advance of final trial before
a, court and jury, there is preliminary trial
and examination beture a Court of Justice
where the accused may examine witnesses and
go fully into his defence. The examination OH
Tuesday was before such Court of Justices.
The Court inquired IT the prisoners had coun-
sci, when Brown addressed the Court as fol-
lows:
Virginians: | did not ask for any quarter at
the time | was taken. | did not ask 10 have
my life spared. Tie Governor of the State of
Virginia rendered me hiss assurance that should
have fair trial, and under no circumstances
whatever will be able tn attend TO a trial. If
you seek my blood, you can have it at any mo-
ment, without the BOCkery of a trial. | have
had no counsel. have not been able 10 advise
with any one. know nothing about the feel
ings of my fellow prisoners, and am utterly
unable to attend in any way to my own de-
fence. My memory don't serve me. My health
is insufficient. although improving. There are
m tigating circumstances, if fair trial is to be
allowed us, that would urge In our favor, but
i we are to be forced, with The mere form of
Ial, TO execution, you might spare yourselves
tat trouble. am ready for my fate lido not
bsk a trial. | beg for m0ckcry of trial
no insult; nothing but that which conscience
gives or cowardIce would drive you to practice
ask to be excused from the mockery of a trial
| do not know what the design of this examina-
tlon is. do not know what is to be the bene-
fit of 1t TO the Commonwealth. | have now
little to ask other than that be not foolishly
lusulted, as the cOwardly and 6arbarous insult
those who fall into their power.
The prisoners as brought into Court presen-
ted pltiable sight, Brown and Stevens being
unable to stand without assistance. Brown has
three sword etabs in his body and one sabre cut
over the head. Stevens has three balls in his
head, two in the breast, and one in his arm. He
was also cut on the forehead with rife bullet,
which glanced off, leaving bad wound
Old Brown has made no confession, as has
been reported. He says he relies upon God for
deliverance. He has been in much greater per-
il, and God was always with him, and he does
not fear but he will be delivered now.
An indictment was found Wednesday against
the prisoners by the grand jury of the Jefferson
county circuit court. Charles B. Harding and
Andrew Hunter, esqrS, appear for the State.
Previous 10 readlag the indictments, Mr.
Hunter called the attention of the court to the
necessity of appointing additional counsel for
the prisoners; he stated that Mr.. Faulkner.
considering his duties at an end on the rising
OF the examining court, had left, Lawson Bolts.
esq, alone appeared for them
After consulting with Brown, Mr.. Bolts sta
ted that the prisoners bad requested hun TO
have Mr. Green to assist hun. The court
the:eupon requested Mr.. Green to act as as
slstant counsel, and that gentleman readily as.
sented.
The indictments read-irst for conspirnc
with negroes TO create an usurrectiOn second,
treason against the commonwealth Of Virginia;
and third, murder.
Brown made speech, and asked for delav
OF few days until he should be better able to
attend trial.
The indictment being read, the prisoners
plead " Not guilty"
The prosecuting attorney then elected to try
Brown on the part Of the State. The prisoner
asked for delay, stating that he had counsel on
the way from the North.
The Court said, in regard TO the prisoners
request for delay on account of his condition,
lhat the physlc AN of the jail and the TAILOR had
been summoned to testify, and the former had
testified that he was physically able TO proceed
with the trial.
The principal testimony before the court on
Monday is as follows:
Lewis Washington, the first witness. stated
that about l O'clock on Sunday night he was
asleep and woke by a noise, and hea I'd his name
called. He went down aud was surrounded by
SIX men. Stevens appeared to be IN command
LOOK, COppee, and the two negro prisoners
were along, aud another white man whom he
afterwards recognized kagi. Col. WASHING |
ton then prUceeded to detail all the particulars
OF his being taken prisoner with his negroes TO
'ne armory, and the subsequent events up to
lhe attack by the Marines and their delivery.
a. NJ. hItzmlller gave the particulars Of his
Delng taken prisoner and locked up, and that
subsequently he had several interviews with
Brown, who always treated th m with a great
deal of respect and courtesy. lie endeavored
10 ascertain from Brown what object they had
IN view, aud he repeatedly told him in reply
that MS only object was to free the slaves, and
ihat he was willing 10 fight the pro slavery men |
u accomplish that object. On one occasion
during the attack, the witness said to Brown, |
ihIs is getting TO be hot work, and if you will !
allow me to interfere, can, possibly, accommo-
,..-.v matters. He went out with Stevens with
flag of truce on Monday afternoon. He re.
quested Stevens to remain whilst he went for |
ward, when Stevens was hred upon and fell -
lie could only recognize Brown aud Stevens,
though he counted twenty-five men, early in
the morning armed with Sharp's rifles. When
Stevens was yang wounded, he rema led 10 me
have been cruelty deceived 10 which re- !
Piled that wished had renamed a, home.
Col. Washington being recalled, said that, in |
the conversation with Governor Wise, Brown