Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-26

Court of Jefferson county, met t0-day-lIon.
Richard Parker, Judgo Charles d. Harding,
Commonwcalth's Attorney Andrew Hunter,
Assistant. The court adjourned early this
morning, such being the excitement that no
civil cases were ready for trial.
The state of Virginia VS.. John Brown,
Aaron c. Stephens, and Edwin Coppie white
personSl, and Shields Green and john Cop
land (negroeS) committed on charges of CON
spiracy to make rebellion, insurrection, and
open war against the commonwealth of Vir-
gInla, and also for tie murder of f. Beekham,
u. w. Turner, Thomas Boerly, Luke Quinn,
marine, and Hayward Sheppard, negro. The
following Justices of the Peace have been sum-
moned by the Sheriff to hold the examination
trial to morrow of the above prisoners BraX-
ton Davenport, presiding justice; George w.
Richelberger, John W. McCurdy, William L.
Alexander, John j. Locke, u. L. Mason, and
Thomas IL. Willis. The law requires that the
decision of the Justices of the examining court,
who may number from five to sixteen, must
be unanimous. The prisoners will be exam
ined together, and it is supposed that the ex-
animation trial will be concluded bytwO o'clock
tomorrow, to which the Grand Jury have
been adjourned by the Court The Grand
jury will then take up the case Immediately,
and the indictments, which are already pre-
pared will probably be presented to the court
on Wednesday morning. when the trial of the
prisoners will commence before the court and
jury Should they be found guilty, and SEN
tence OF death be pronounced upon them the
Judge, under the laws of this state, fixes the
day ofexecution independent Of the Governor.
The usual delay of thirty days after sentence,
Is excepted in cases of insurrectiOn and rebel
lion, and the prisoners, if convicted Of the
same, may be hung Immediately, either within
or without the lail-yarQ.
Judge Parker, to-day, ordered the three
hundred and five dollars taken from Brown to
be returned to him. The Judge also stated
that all their personal property, including
Sharp's rifles and other arms would belong to
the heirs 0. the prisoners should they be cap
italy convicted.
CHARLESTON, VA, Oct. 25-Eight magis-
trates are on the bench, Col Davenport, pre-
siding justice.
AT halt-past 10 the prisoners were brought
into Court, under guard Of eighty armed
men. Guards were stationed around the
Court House, and bay0nets are glistening on
all sides. Charles B. Harding and Andrew
Hunter act for the prosecution.
Brown aud Coppie were brought into Court,
manacled together. Brown appeared weak
haggard, and eyes swollen from the effects of
his wound in the head. Coppie is uninjured.
Stevens also looked haggard and depressed.
HE prisoners We're seYeray charged with
treason and murder The court asked if the
prisoners have counsel, when Brown spoke as
follows:
Browns Speech.
81 did not ask for any quarters at the time
was taken-I did not ask to have my life spar
ed. The Governor Of the state of Virginia
rendered me assurance that L should have
fair trial. Under no circumstance whatever will
l be able to have a fair trial. Ify0u seek
my blood you can have it at any mo
ment without this mockery Of Il trial
have had no counsel. have not been able to
advise with any one. / know nothing about
the feelings of my fellow prisoners, and am
utterly unable to attend in any way to my
own defence. My memory don't serve me.
My health is insufficient, although improving.
There are mitigating circumstances that /
could urge i'll our favor if fair trial is TO be
had, but if we are to be forced with q
form, trial for execution, you might spare
yourselves the trouble. ] am ready for nay
fate, and do not ask a trial. / beg for no
mockery ola trial, no insult, nothing but what
conscience gives or cowardice drives you to
practice. | ask again to be excused from the
mockery 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 il to the
Commonwealth. ! have now little further to
ask, other than that | may not be to0liShly i'll
suited 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 brief consulta-
ton with Brown and others, addressed the
court, stating that he could not, under any cir
Gums tances enter upon the defense OF the
prisoners on so short a notice. 1t would be
but a mockery OF justice.
Mr.. Bolts said he did not feel it to be his
duty to decline the appointment of the count.
He was prepared to do his best to defend the
prisoners, and he hoped the court would assign
some experienced assistant in case Mr.. Faux
ner persisted in his declination.
Mr.. Harding addressed Brown and asked
him if he was willing to accept blessrs. Faux
ner and Bolts as his counsel
Mr.. Brown replied i wish to say that
have sent for counsel. | did apply, through
the advice Of some persons here, to some per
sons, whose names do not ROW rec0llect to
act as counsel Tor nae, and have sent for 9th
er counsel who have had no possible oppOrlun-
ity to see me. | wish for counsel if | am to
have a trial, but if / am to have nothing but
the mockery of a trial, as l said, do not care
about counsel 1t is unnecessary to trouble
any gentleman with that duty.
Mr.. BrOwn-There were certain men,
think Mr.. Bolts was one Of them, who declin-
ed acting as counsel, but | am not positive
about it. | can't remember whether he was
one because have heard SO many names. l
am a stranger here do not know the dispO-
sition or character of the gentlemen named. |
have applied for c0usel of my own, and
doubtless could have them if l am not, as |
said before, to be carried to execution before
they can reach me; but, if that is the DISPOSE
ton that is to be made OF me, all this trouble
and expense can be saved
Mr.. Harding-The question is, do you desire
the aid Of MesSrS. Faulkner and Bolts as your
counsel. Please answer yes or no.
Mr.. Brown can regard this as an exam.
ination under any circumstances. / would
prefer that they should exercise their own
pleasure. / fell as if it was matter of very
little account to me. If they had designed to
assist me as counsel should have wanted an
opportunity to consult them at leisure.
MIR. Harding-Stevens, are you willing these
gentlemen should act as your counsels
Stephens-I am willing that gentleman
should (pointing to Mr.. Botts).
Mr.. Harding-Do you object to Mr.. Faux
ner
Stephens-No. l am willing to take Mr..
Botls--to take both.
Mr.. Harding addressed each Of the other
prisoners separately, and each stated his will
lingness to be defended by the counsel named.
The court issued peremptory order that
the press should not publish the testimony, as
it would render the getting OF jury before
the Circuit Court impossible.
Col. Lewis Washington stated at about i
o'clock on the Sunday night he was arrested
and was awoke by a noise, heard his name
called, and was surrounded by six men. Ste
vens appeared to be in command, Cook Cop
nnI tNyo oil