The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-10-26
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH,
-lF CHARrKsros, Va, Oct. 25-M-
By THE =. 3 W. LINE.

The examination Of the Harpers Ferry
prisoners will be commenced to-day. The
law REQUIRES that the decision of the Justices
of the examining Court. who may number
from to l6, must be unanimous The pris-
oners will be examined together, and 1t Is
supposed that the examining trial will De
CON. luded by o'clock, to which time the
Grand Jury has been adjourned by the Court
The Grand Jury will then take up the case
Immediately, and the indictments which are
already prepared, will probably be presented
to the Court on Wednesday morning, when
the trial of the prisoners will commence be-
fore the Court and jury. Should they be
found guilty, and sentence of death be pro-
nounced on them, the Judges under the
laws of this State fixes the day of execution
independent of the Gov, the, usual delay OF
80 days after sentel ~, Is excepted IN cases
of Instruction and rebellion and the pris-
oners. If convicted of the same, may be hung
Immediately. either within or without the
Jail yard. .
A fellow named James Lynch, Airs w. j..
Stockburg, supposed to be one of the iilihuS-
tiers, was brought in prisoner to-day, and
lodged in Jail. He was captured come days
ago, at place called Sir Johns Run. The
fellow has quite Abolish appearance ana has
been several weeks lettering about this and
adjoining counties, begging and narrowing
money His commitment il on Suspicion al
aiding and abetting John Brown < Go.
The preliminary examination of the rris-
oners captured at Harpers Ferry. oommen-
ced this morning before the magistrates
court At 104 o'clock, the Sheriff wss or
dered to bring in the prisoners, who ~ere
conducted from the Jail undera guard of SO
armed men. I.s
A guard was also stationed around tive
Court House. Bayonets are brist,ing OH all
sides. -Hd saiHerl
Charles B. Harding, Attorney for the
County, is assisted by Andrew Hunter,
counsel for the Commonwealth.
The prisoners were brought in, Brown and
Cope being manacled together. 1IL
Brown seemed weak and haggard, with
eyes swollen, from the effects of the wounds
ON his head. % srfI.ID8G8 Euf-A
Cope is uninjured. "a l-
Stephens seemed less injured than Brown,
but looked haggard and depressed. There
are a number of wounds or the head oI
both.
John Copeland is bright lnulatto, about
25 years and Green is dark negro, about
30 yeas of age. 'i-'7
Sheriff Campbell read the commitment,
charging the prisoners with treason aud
murder. =
Harding, States Attorney, asked that the
court might assign counsel for the prison.
ers, if they had none.
The court inquired Of the prisoners aud
Brown addressed the court IL follows;
81 did not ask for any quarter at the
time was taken; did not ask to have my
life spared. The Governor OF Virginia ten
dered me his assurance that should have II
fair trial, and under no circumstances What.
ever will be able 10 attend your trial. II
you seek my blood, you can have it at amy
moment, without the mockcry of II trial.
have had no counsel, and have not been able
TO advise with one know nothing about
the feelings of my fellow prisoners, and
am utterly unable tn attend in any way To
my own defense Ny memory don't serve
me; my health is poof, although i'm
proving; therefore | pray to be excused from
the mockery Of trial. | do not know
what the designs of this examination is
do not know what is to be the benefit of it,
Mr. Faulkner addressed the court, and
stated that he denied the right of this court
to assign counsel, and that he could not,
under apy circumstances. have entered into
the defense OF those prisoners on such short
notice, as it would, indeed, be a mOckery Of
justice.
Mr.. Bolts said be did not feel it his duty
to decline the appointment of the court