The Van Buren press., 1859-11-11
Trial of the Insurgents-O!d Brown Ad-
dresses the Court.
CHARLEsrowN, Va, Nov. 2.

CHARLEsrowN, Va, Nov. 2.
Russell and Lennott, attorneys from Bos-
ton reached here to-day. Cook was brought
before the Magistrates Court, but waived
an examination Ho was committed fol
trial.
Coppee's trial was resumed. Nowitnes-
ses Were called for the defence. Mr.. Hard
ing opened the argument for the Common
for the defendant Mr.. Hunter closed for
the prosecution. The speeches were of
marked ability. Mr.. Griswold asked for
several instructions which were granted.
Brown was then brought into the Court
House, which was Immediately thronged.-
The Court gave its decision on the motion to
arrest judgement, overluling the objections
made On the objection that treason can
not be committed against a State except by
a citizen, it ruled that wherever allegiance
was due, treason may be committed Most
of the States have passed laws against trea-
son. The objections as to the form of the
verdict rcndored ,vare also regarded as in-
sufficient. is4
The Clerk then asked Brown if he had
anything to say why sentence should not be
pronounced, when Brown stood up and in
a clear and distinct voice said
81 have, may it please the Court, few
words to say. In the first place I.,deny
everything but what have all along admit
ted, the design on my part to free the slaves
l intended, certainly. to have made clean
thing of the matter, as l did last winter
when went into Missouri, and there took
the slaves without the swapping of gun
on either side, moved them through the
country, and finally left them in Canada.
L designed to have done the same thing on
larger scale. That was all intended. /
never did intend to commit murder, treason
or destroy property, or to excite or incite
the slaves to rebellion, and to make an in
surrectlon. l have another objection, and
that is, it is unjust that should suffer such
q penalty; had ! lnterterred in the manner
which admit has been proved, for 1 ad-
mire the truthfulness and candor of the
greater portion of the witnesses who have
testified IN this case. Had so interferred
In behalf of the rich, the powerful the in
telligent, the so-called great, or in behalf OF
their friends, either father, mother, brother,
sister, wife, children, or any of that class,
and suffered and sacrificed what l have in
this interference. it would have been all
deemed 1t an act worthy of reward rather
than punishment.
:. This cour, acknowledges, as suppose. the va
ldity of the law of God. ! see book here which
suppose to be the Bible, ut least the New Tes-
lament. That teaches me that all things whatsoey-
er would that men do to me should do even so
to them. 1t teaches me further to remember them
That are In bonds as bound with them. l endeav-
ored 10 act up to that instruction. saw l am vet
100 young to understand that God is any respecter
of persons believed to interfere as have done,
ahd as have always freely admitted have done.
ana IN behalf OF this despised poor, was no wrong
but right Now, it is deemed necessary / should
forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of
justice. and mingle my blood further with the
niood OF my children, and with the blood of mill
garded by wicked, cruel and unjust enactments 7
submit. So let it be done
" Let me say one word further feel entirely
satisled with the treatment have received on m v
,i rial- considering all the circumstances, it has
been more generous than expected But feel no
consciousness. have stated from the first what
was my intention and what was not. I never had
any design against the life of any person. nor anv
uisPpsllon TO commit treason, excite the slaves
TO rebel or make any general insurrection I never
encouraged any man to do so. but always discour.
asea any idea of that kind. Let ME also, in regard
10 the statements made by some of those connected
win me. hear it has been stated bv some of
trar, .'a. ndueed them to join me. but the con
e"r9 Is True. do not say this to iniurc them but
as regretting their weakness. Non one ;o;ned u-s
oat oi his own accord and the greater part at their
own expense. A number of them never saw and
never mad word of conversation with till the day
they came to me. and that was for the purnose
nave We stated Now | have DONE"
", MIiie @ brown was speaking. perfect quiet pre-
vailed When he finished the Court proceeded IN
pronounce the sentence. After few preliminary
remarks, IN which he said no reasonable doubt
could exist as to the prisoners guilt he sentenced
MN NJ a to be hung in public Friday, the second
oil December Brown received the sentence with
conposure The only demonstration made was
with the ciapPing of hands by one man in the
gr3wd who Is not resilient of jefferson coun4y.
ms was promptly suppressed and much regret
was expressed by citizons at its occurrences.
. After being out an hour, the Jury in the case Of
CoPpee returned with verdict declaring him gull.
On an the counts Of the Indictment. His counsel
gave notice of motion to arrest indoment as ~
Browns case. The Court then adjourned.