The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-26
TIE HARpER'N FERRY OUTBREAK.
he Preliminary Legal Proceedings in
the Case Of the Prisoners.
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Id BROWNS HARANGUE TO THE COURT.
HE TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES.
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THE CASE SENT TO THE GRAND JURY.
'itiable Condition Of Brown and
his Companions.
AE SPEECH OF GOV. WISE AT RICHMOND.
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De ExtoIs the Courage Of the Military, and
has Good Opinion Of the Pluck
Of the Conspirators.
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|ENAT0R MAS0N'S VIEWS OF the PLOT.
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oshua r. Giddings' Statement to the
Public.
INTERESTING REVELATIONS FORTHCOMING,
&n a.. &c.
urEREsr1NG REVELATIONS FORTHCOMING

CHARIMrowS, Va, Oct. Is, 1859.
The trial of Brown and other Harpers Ferry conspira
RS commenced here to-day in the Magistrates Court
p Davenport the presiding Justice and the follow
magistrates were associated with him on the bench
r. Alexander, John J. Lock- John +. Smith, Thomas II.
Ills, George W. Echelberger, Charles II. Lewis and
oses W. Burr AT half past ten O'Clock the Sheriff
rected TO bring in the prisoners, who conducted
ON the Jail under guard Of eighty armed men. A
lard was also stationed around the court The Court
ouse brstlng with bayonets on all sides. Charles
Harding, Esq, acted attorney for the county, assist
! by Andrew Hunter, Counsel for the Commonwealth.
be prisoners brought in, Brown and Edwin Coppe
,anacled together. Brown seemed weak and haggard,
it'll eyes swollen from the effects Of the head
pppie is uninjured. Stephens seemed less injured
lan Brown, but looked haggard and depressed.
9th have number Of wounds the head. John Cop
nd bright mulatto about twenty five years old and
nelds Green Is dark negro, aged about thirty.
Sheriff Campbell read the commitment Of the prisoners
no were charged with treason and murder.
Mr. Harding the attorney for the State asked that the
purt might assign counsel for the prisoners if they had
,ne
The Court then inquired IL the prisoners had counsel9
In reply Old Brown addressed the court follows:-
as taken. did not ask to have my life spared. Tho
overnor of the State of Virginia rendered me his
france that should have fair trial. but under Cir
instances whatever will be able to have fair trial
you seek my blood, you can have it at any moment
ithout this mockery of trial. have had counsel;
have not been able TO advise with any one. know
Dthng about the feelings OF my fellow prisoners and
tery unable to attend in any way to my defence.
memory don't serve me; my health is insufficient,
though improving There mitigating circumstances
at would urge in favor, If fair trial Is TO be al
wed us; but If VIC to be forced with form-a
ial for execution-you might spare yourselves that
oublc. ! ready for my fate. do not ask trial.
beg for mockery of trial--no insult-noshng
at that which conscience gives, or cowardce would
rive you to practice ask Agan to be excused from the
.ockcry Of trial. do know what the special
esgn of this examination is do not know what is 10
D the benefit of il to the Commonwealth have now
tile further to ask other than that may not be oolshy
suited only cowardy barbarans insult those who fall
ito their power.
At the conclusion of Browns remarks, the Court as
gned Charles j. Faulkner and Lawson Bolts counsel
,r the prisoners.
Mr. FAuKvERI was about to remark to the Court that
Though feel at any time willing to discharge any duty
hich the Court legally claim, aud by authority Of
wv devolve upon me, am not aware of any authority
Inch this Court has, sitting as an examining court, to
ssign counsel for the defence Besides, it is manifest,
om the remarks just made by one OF the prisoners
rat he regards tho appearance of counsel under
och circumstances not as n bona fde act, but
ather as mockery. Under these circumstances,
do not feel disposed TO assume the
esponsbilty of that position. have other for
ecning the position, connected with my having been at
nro boar all Tho nr
risoners which render improper and nexpeden for
10 to act counsel If the Court had authority TO order
peremptorily should acquiosce and obey that auho-
ty am that there is any such power vested
this court; but, it is the prisoners desire, will
nat full justice is done them.
Mr. BORIS said he did feel to be his duty decline
,e appointment Of the Court He prepared to do his
est to defend the prisoners and he hoped the Court
ould assign some experienced assistant in case Mr..
aulkner persisted in his declnation.
Mr. HARDING addressed Brown, and asked him if he
as willing to accept Messrs Faulkner and Bolts as his
ounselY
Mr. gRowS replied i wish to say that have sent for
ounsel did apply, through the advice of others to
ONE persons whose names do not recoect to act
counsel for me- and have sent for other COUNSEL who
ave had no possible opportunity to ] wish for
ounsel am have trial. but il am 10 have nothing
ut the mockery Of trial, as said do not any
ning about counsct is unnecessary TO trouble any gen.
leman with that duty.
Mr. HARpya--You are TO have fair trial.
Mr. BRowS--There were certain mcnI think Mr. Bolts
,as one of them-who declined acting counsel, but
IN not positive about it. cannot remember whether
@ was one because have heard go many names am
stranger here. do not know the disposition oharac
er Of tho gentlemen named. have applied for counsel
my own, and doubtless could have them If am not
said before be hurried to execution before they
each But II Mat is the disposition that is to DO made
me, all this trouble and expense can be saved.
Mr. H,RpNe-fhc question is, do you desire the aid Of
lessrs. Faulkner and Bolts your counsog Please 20
newer, yes or
Mr.. Bnowy-I cannot regard this examination
ndor any circumstances. ! would prefer that they
houd exercise their pleasure feel ls IL it was
batter Of very little account to If they had designed
3 assist me az COUNSEL should have wanted an oppor
anity to consult them at my leisure.
Mr. HARmSc--sephens, are you willing those aen,enen
|hcuId act your counsel.
Mr. suTasss- am willing that gentleman shan fpont
| ~ to Mr. Ibtts).
| Mr.. BARDlse-Do you object 10 Mr.. Faulkner
Mr. s,rsBe.y--No; am willing TO take both ee.s,.
Mr. Harding addressed each Of the other prponcrs
,tely and each stated bs Willingness to be detenacd he
,e counsel named
The Court ssned pcrcniptory order that the press
mould not publish deaiIed testimony would render
10 getting Of jury before the Circuit Court impossible
The examination Then proceeded.
LEWIS W asusGms sated:At cbcnt O'Clock on sun.
AZ pinht he gas asleep and aswokc by aoise heard
| $ name called; went down, and surrounded p,-
men stephens appeared to be in command: Cook, Cop.
TO- and two negro prisoners were along, and anosicr
hie man, whom he afterwards recognized Kagc
= Washington tbsr proceeded to detail all tho parcn
70 Of his being taken "a prisoner with his negroes to