The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-11-10

Russell and Lennot, attorneys from Dos.
ton, reached here to-day.
THE TRIAL OF CoPPEE.
Coppee's trial was resumed. No wit
nesses we're called for the defense. MI.
Harding opened the argument for the
omuonwealth, and Messrs Hoyt and
Griswole for the defendant. Mr. Hunter
closed for the prosecution. The speech
es were of marked ability.
Mr.. Griswold asked for several instruc
tions, which were all granted By the court.
The Jury then retired.
SENTENCE OF JOHN BRowN-HIs SPEECH
Brown was then brought into the court
house, which was Immediately throDged.
The court gave its decision on the no
ton to arrest judgment, overriding the
o, iections made. On the objection that
treason cannot be committed against a.
State except by citizen. it ruled that
wherever allegiance was due, treason may
be com mmitted; mo ost of the States have
passed laws against treason. The obJec-
tons as to the form OF the verdict render
ed were also regarded as insufficient.
The clerk then asked Brown whether
he had anything to cay why sentence
should not be pronounced, when
Brown stood up. and in clear and dis
tinct voice said:
Il have, may it please the court, few
words to say:
I'm the fr,t place, | deny everything
but what have al! along admitted the
design on my part to free the slaves. |
intended. certainly, to have made clean
thing of that matter, as | did last win
ter, when | went into Missouri and there
took the slaves without the swapping OF a
gun on either side, moved them through
the country, and finally left them in Can
ada. designed doing the same thing "a
gain, on larger scale. That was all
intended. | never did intend to commit
murder or treason, or destroy property,
or to excite or incite the slaves to rebel
lion, or to make an iDsurrectioD.
II have another objection, and that is,
it is unjust tba should suffer such pen
atty. Had | intcrfered in the manner
which admit, and which | admit has
been fairly proved, (for | admire the
trutbfuness and candor OF the grestel
portion of the witnesses who have testified
in this case had | so iuterfered in be
half of the rich, the powerful, the intelIl
gent. the so called great, or, in behalf OF
their friends, either father, uother, broth
: er, sister, wife or children or any Of to
class. and suffered and sacrificed what
have in this Interference, it would have
E been all right. Every nan in the cour
e would have deemed it an act worthy o
reward, rather than punishment.
This court ackno sled ges,, as | sup
pose, the validity OF the law of God
! sec hook kissed here which suppose L
: be the Bible, or, at least, the New Testa
{ ment That teashes me that all thing
whatsoever | would that men should d
+, to ne, l should do even so to them, |
teaches me further, to remember thos
G that are in bonds as bound with theui
: | endeavored to act up to that instruction
= | say | az, yet too young to unGerStaD'
+ that God is any respecter Of persons.
J. believe that to have interfered, as | has
o done, as l have always freely admitted
D have done, in behalf of His despise
e poor, vas no wrong, but right. Now,
l. it is deemed necessary that | should tor
/ felt ms life for the furtherance of the end
J OF justice, aud wingle ny blood furthe
b With the blood of 10y children, and Wit
r. the tlood Of millions In this slave couutr
e whose rights are diSregarded by wickct
n cruel, and unjust enactmeuts, | submit
: so let it be done. Let me sag one wor
l. further. | feel entirely satisfied with rh
!, treatment | have received on my trial
b Considering all the circumstances, it b.
t. been more generous than | expected; bI
ID | feel no consciousness of guilt. hay
7e stated FROM the first what was my Inter
ton, and what was not. | never had
Sc ny design against the life of any perso
ID nor any disposition to commit treason,
a. excite the slaves to rebel or make ar
Is general insurrection. never encourage
d. any nan to do so, but always discourage
I'D any idea of that kind. Let me say, ais
~; in regard to the staten e. nts ID sde by son
bt of those connected with mel hear
a has been stated, by some of them, that
r. have Induced them to join me, but Il
as contrary is true. l do not say this to i
on jure them, but as regretting their wea
IL ness, Not one joined me but of bis og
- accord, and the greater part at their o'
re- expense A number of them | never sa
nd and never had word of conversati
Ter with, till the day they came to me; al
ce that was for the purpose have stated
Now | have done"
'u- The court proceeded to pronounce t
= sentence. After few preliminary !
o marks, in which he said no reasonat
I'D doubt could exist as to the prisoners gui
to he sentenced him to be hung, IN public,
'e- Ef5Ctay. The I'd Of December.
rth Brown received the sentence with co
no posure.
lid The only demonstration made was t
les the clspping of hands by one man in
lr. crowd, who is not resident of Jetfers
'ry county. This was promptly supPresss
IN and much recrct was exnressed bv