Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-11-11
Trial of COppee-Sentence of Death Passed on
RrOMn-HIs Speech 10 the Court.


CHARLEsrowN, Nov. 2d-Messrs. Russell and Sen
net from Boston, reached here to-day to act counsel
for the prisoners.
Captain Cook was brought before the magistrates
court to-day, but waived examination and was COM
mitted for trial.
Coppee's trial was resumed, but no witnesses were
called for the defense.
MIR. Harding opened for the commonwealth, and
Messrs Hoyt and Grswod followed for the defendant,
when Mr.. Hunter closed for the prosecution. The
speeches of all were marked by ability. Mr.. Griswold
asked for several instructions to the jury which were
all granted by the court, when the jury retired.
Capt. Brown then brought in and the court
house was Immediately thronged. The court gave its
decision the motion for arrest of judgment,
ruling the objections made In regard to the objection
that treason cannot be committed against the State the
court ruled that wherever allegiance is due treason may
be committed. Most of the States have passed laws
against treason The objection to the form of the
verdict rendered the court also regarded insufficient
The clerk now asked the prisoner if he had anything
say why sentence should not be pronounced against
him.
Brown stood up and in clear, distinct voice, said
have, may it please the court, few words to say.
In the first place. deny everything but what have all
along admitted, of design my part to free the slaves
intended certainly to have made clean thing OF that
matter did last winter when went into Missouri
and there took slaves without the swapping OF gun on
either sde moved them through the country and finally
left them in Canada. designed to have done the
thing on larger scale That was all / intended |
never did intend MURDER treason the destruction
of property or to nclte slaves to rebellion or to make
insurrectloD.
:" have another objection and that u.s. it is unjust
that should suffer such penalty. Had [ interfered
in the manner which [ admit, and which l admit has
been fairly proved(or l admire the truthfuness and
Candor OF the greater portion OF the witnesses who eS
fed in this case had nterferred in behalf Of the
rich and powerful the intelligent the socaIed great
behalf of any of their friends either father or mother
brother sister, wife child any of that Glass; and
suffered aud sacrificed what have in this interference,
it would have been all right and every in this court
would have deemed it an act worthy OF reward rather
than punishment.
"1hs court acknowledges too, as suppose, the va
dity of the law of God. | see book kissed here
which suppose be the Bible or at least the New les
lament. That teaches that all things whatsoever
would men should do to me should do to them
endeaVored to act up to these instructions. say
am yet too young to understand that God any repec
tor of persons believe that to have interfered as
have done, and have Away freely admitted have
done in behalf His despised poor, wrong, but
| right.
Now ft is deemed necessary that should forfeit
nv life for the urherance of the ends of justice and
mnge my blood further with the blood of my children,
and with the blood of the millions In this slave country
whose rights are dsregarded by wicked cruel and I'M
just enactments submit So let it be done. Let me
say word further. feel entirely satisfied with the
treatment have received my trial. Considering all
the circumstances it has been generous than ex
pected but feel consciousness of guilt l have
stated from the first what my Intentions and what
was not.
81 had any design against the life of any per
son. any disposition to commit treason excite the
slaves to rebel or make any general instruction.
encouraged any to do So but always dlscour
aged any idea of that kind. Let say Also in regard
to the statement made by some of those connected WIN
me. fear it has been stated by of them that
have induced them to join me. But the contrary
true. do not say that to nure them, but as regret
ting their weakness. There is not one of them out
joined me of his own accord, and the greater part al
their own expense A number of them never saw
and never had word of conversation with till the DAY
they came to me- and that was for the purpose nave
stated Now have done!'
While Brown was speaking perfect quiet preValIeu.
When he had finished the proceeded to pronounce
sentence.
After some preliminary remarks in which the judge
said that no reasonable doubt could exist to the prison
er's guilt the court sentenced him to be hung IN pup
Lie on Friday December I'd"