New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-09
John BROWNS INVASION
Ccrr,spcnesnce Of The ". Y. Tribune
CHARrEsTowS, Va, Friday, Nov. !, 1853.
AnOUT BROWN.

r,;on bev assume that for political or other reasons
Gov Wise viii be induced to show elemency TO this
condemned man. Such ideas are here received with
Indignation. / certainly DO not any ground for
hone In Browns case II is evident that any attempt
20 remove him alive from this town would fail. The
people sav that regiment of soldiers, with the Gov
ernor at their head could accomplish it. You, at
distance, can hardly form impression Of the rage for
vengeance which is felt by the citizens OF this place.
When Brown was in court on trial. there were always
faces burning with hatred hanging over him, hercely
watching every movement tina, he made. In the event
of an attempt at rescue, which has been the great
fear all along and 10 prevent which all these extraor
binary military precautions are still kept up, the jaors
have been instructed to shoot him and his companions
instantly The popuace resolute IN their determ-
nation that their victims shall never be taken from
them and does seem that this determination is TO
be shaken by any expedient.
Browns own ideas on the subject areeharacteristic
He TRANQUILITY says: do not know that l ought TO
encourage any attempt 10 save my life. am not sure
that it would not be better for me TO die at this time
am not incapable of error, and may be wrong but
think that perhaps my objects would be nearer fulfill
ment if | should die. l must give it some thought"
There is no iDsincerity about this you may be
Brown does not vaue bis life or, at least is wholly
unmoved at the prospect of losing it, He was never
more firm than at this moment The only computations
he expresses are in relation TO his management at
Harpers Ferry by which he lost not only himself, but
sacrificed his associates He sometimes says that If he
had pursued his original plan Of immediate escape to
the mountains he could never have been TAKEN for he
and his men had studied the vicinity thoroughly and
knew it a hundred times better than any of the nhab
itants. 1t was he says, his weakness in yielding to
the entreates Of the prisoners, and delaying his de-
parture that ruined him. II was the first time,
his words d" that ever lost command Of myself, and
now | am punished for it."
The reason Brown has given for asking his wife to
remain away is also characteristic. He knows il will
cause great suffering and will, possibly shatter his
composure in manner which he is resolved against,
lest his captors should esteem it evidence of regret
for what he has done. The dispatch which told you
was sent to Mrs. Brown did not reach her. and to-day
another was received announcing that she was about
to leave Philadelphia for this town. Brown will still
make another effort to check her.
Nothing seems to give Brown greater annoyance
than hearing of those threatening anonymous letters
that are continually sent to Governor Wise and 70 the
authorities of Charlestown concerning his fate He
protests against them, and feels unwilling TO believe
that they proceed from his own friends.
THE TRIALS OF THE ACCUSED.
Cooks trial is looked forward to with much anxiety
OF all tie party, he h the one toward which the great
est bitterness is displayed. 1t is expected that his de-
Tense will be very strong one. His brothern-law,
Governor Willard of Indiana, has been here for many
days, with the Attomey-General of that State, and
another lawyer making preparations for the trial. Their
plan of defense has not been allowed TO escape from
them of course. Gov. Wizards relationship to Cook
Las caused vast deal of suspicion here and the ques-
ton whether he is or is not Abolitionis and dan
gerous visitor, has been very freely argued The
newspapers have intmated that he is wolf IN
sleeps clothing, and that the welfare of the country
demands that he be sternly scrutnzed, which believe
he is.
In the case of Copeland the mulattO, which was
tried to-day Mr. Sennott conducted defense in such
a to render it extremely probable that the
verdict of guilty which OF course rendered, will
have to be set aside and trial ordered. This Is
curious contrast TO the haste in which the other trials
have proceeded There has heretofore, been no delay
in the determination of all the cases. The Judge said
very pleasant things to Mr. Sennot-tod him his argu-
ment was very persuasive that you may see his
points clearly will give them to you az closely and
accurately as can recall them:
The evidence being all in, Mr. SESSoTT moved the
Court that the Jury be directed pay attention to
any evidence tending show treason, and TO return
verdict of Not Guilty in the case of Shields Green
on the ground that Copeland, being described in that
count as a negro could not be guilty of treason under
the decision in the of bred Scott that negro wac
not citizen. The Court asserting, Mr. HUNTER, for
the prosecution, admitted the statement of law TO be
correct and declared that they abandoned that count
On the second count of the Indictment Mr.. SESSoTT
moved for similar direction on the ground that the
negro was described free, whereas the presumption
of law in the Slave States was that he was slave
being man of color; that in civil he must show
that fact afrmativey HIMSELF that in a criminal it
was material ssuable and triable fact, and must be
proved as laid, and that the Government had closed
their case without doing so.
Mr.. HUS1ER called attention to the fact that they
had introduced Copelands confession to the Marshall
wherein he stated that he was born in North Carolina,
but went to Oberin at the age of ten and was born
free.
Mr.. SExSoTr replied that the confession was adj
mitted under strong objections that it had been made
under influence as well threats; that matter how
admitted. II was declaration of Copeland in his own
favor and should not therefore be admitted; that II
was in his favor legally because the status of free
man was Legally superior 10 'hal OF shVei lhas nc
had legal right TO reject refuse to assume legal
benefit when it was practical DAMAGE and that, at
any rate for the purposes of this trial. he would insist
that his client was slave as well as negro, and that
the Government must prove that he was free atrma-
lively.
The CouRT ruled that the burden Of proof was on
the Government, but refused TO direct that they must
prove it afirnatively.
Mr.. SEsSoTT excepted.