Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-11-04
EXAMINATION AND TRIAL OF
BROWN AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
s1.M,,ARY PROCEEDINGS.

istrates are on the bench, Col Davenport
presiding justice
Al half past ten the prisoners were brought
into Court, under guard Of eighty armed
men. Guards were stationed around the
Court House, and bayonets are glistening on
all sides.
Charles B. Harding aud Andrew Hunter
act for the prosecution.
Brown and Coppie we're brought into Court,
manacled together Brown appeared weak,
haRpard and eyes swollen from the effect Of
his wound in the head. Coppie is uninjured.
Stevens also looked haggard and depressed.
The prisoners were severally charged with
treason and murder. The Court asked if the
prisoners had counsel. when Brown spoke as
follows
al did not ask for any quarter at the time
was taken; / did not ask to have my life
spared The Governor of the State of Vir-
ginin rendered me assurances that should
have a fair trial but under no circumstances
whatever will be able to have fair trial.
If you seek my blood, you can have it at any
moment, without this mockery of a trial. |
have had no counsel. have not been able
to advise with any one. l know nothing of
the feelings Of my fellow prisoners, and am
utterly unable to attend in any way to my
own defense. Ny memory don't serve me !;
my nehttn Is lnhuInCltnts hltnOuEn Improving
There are mitigating circumstances that
would urge in our favor, III fair trial is to be
had but if we are to be forced, with mere
form, trial for execution you might spare
yourselves that trouble. | am ready for my
fate. beg for no mockery Of trial-no
insult-nothing but that which conscience
gives. or cowardice drives you TO practice. !
ask again to be excused from the mockcry of
a trial. do not even know what the special
design of this examination is do not know
what is to be the benefit of it TO the Common
wealth | have now little further to ask,
other than that may not be foolishly insult
ed, only as cowardly barbarians insult those
who fall into their power"
At the conclusion Of Browns remarks. the
Court assigned Charles J. Faulkner and Law
son Bolts as counsel for the prisoners The
first named gentleman, after a brief consuta-
ton with Brown and others, addressed the
Court, stating that he could not, under any
circumstances enter upon the defence OF the
prisoners on so short a notice 1t would be
but mockety of justice.
Mr.. Bolts said he did not feel it to be 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 as
sign some experienced assistant, in case Mr.,
Faulkner persisted in his declination.
M Uord;ng addressed Brown and asked
H., r. to COS ;ti;,,,, a., occo,,, Nossrs Fa,lL
nor and Bolts as his counsel
Mr.. Brown replied wish to say that
have sent for counsel. did apply, through
the advice of some persons here, to some
persons whose names l do not now recollect,
to act as counsel for me. and / have sent for
other counsel who have had no possible OPP
portunity to see me. wish for counsel, il
ro,hina hnt tbo r,ocl'ory of ,rial ne sa;d
40 No. caro an,.,bin, sho,t council 7, -
nnnecosssvv IN ,ronbie onv Gentleman with
that daty.
NJ Uard;n,-Vou ara 20 bove e,ir trial
NJ Rrovne-Tborc orc certain man I ,hinL
NJ po,,s mo- 80 ~ ,hon, III dooI;ro,
ao,;,, as counsel hrt am nor nosit;ve ahop,
Il cannot remember whether he was one
hoo.,ss Lavo hoard co ,nony romcs an
as,ron,,er borc do not know tho d;snosi
,;on ~ choroctor of tho contlomen named
bavo annI;eJ for counsel of nv own. anf
doubtless could have them if am not. as
ss;d boCore 70 he hurried to execution befor,
,bev can reacb mo. bnt If This is to he IN,
Nsnosi,ion that ia 70 he made nj mo all thi,
,,orblo aud exrerso can no saved
Mr. Hard;ngLTbe question is do Won de-
sire the aid of Messrs' Faulkner and Bott,
vour counsel Please In answer Vpq NJ
M
Mr. Brovn-T cannot regard this as ar
examination under nnv c;rcnmstances
would nrefor That thew sbould exercise theh
own rleosuro fool ,s II Il was a matter a
ye,v little consoouence IN mo II thew bot
des;gned 70 assist me as counsel. / shout,
have wanted an onnortunitv TO consult then
At INV leispro
M Hording-Stevens are won villipt
,hoso con,ion,o9 sbonld not a. vorr counsol
steyers~I am willing that eentloma,
shorId rnoin,;rg N M Rotts
Mr. HardingoDo Won object TO Mr.. Faulk
ner, y
steveps-No. am willing IN take both.
Mr. Harding addressed each Of the otbc-
nr;soners sonarotclv and each stated his will
i;ngncss 70 he defended nv the counsel nam
cd
The Court issued a neromntory order tha
the nress should not nnblisb detn;led tostimo
nv as II would render ,he cet,;nc of n inv,
before tho Circpit Court imnossible
Tewis Wosbin,ton stotcd-At abopt IN
.,.Iaol. -, So. -, H. mo- IL, a.,