, 1859-11-10
THE CHIAKLEsToWN TRIALS.
E<rrff Smith W:4nf<d-.TA Certainty Of
HroEn's Er<rHtfon~~lstsanfom T3srrass--
The Eh1rnsry -S}Armsd .e-eto Point,


hlcuxoSp, Va, Nor- 5th, 1859.
have ascertained to-day That rigid scrutiny
II being lcst!tuted to ascertain the e1tcut Of
Gcrtlt SMITHS completely in the 1larper's Ferry
'nsuTrectnn, preparatory to the issue Of re-
QUESTION for his surrender to tle judiciai ue-
thorltles Of this State, for trial upon chnrse
Of conspiracy. All the testimony bearing upon
his connection with this insurrcc,ion, as ucces-
sory before the fact, is being carefully compiled
and tue probability il thct tile matter will be
laid before lLc grand jury Of Jefferson County
At m early day. Such, at least, is my iaforma-
ton. It's lntiu'ated, moreover, that the qucs-
tion Of his surrender. IN obedience to the requi
sition Of the Governor Of Virginia, will be made
the issue for continuance or disruptian Of tue
Union. 1t is conceded here by cFesy proni-
uent man with whom hare copversed upon
Ibis subject. that such an issue is inevitable;
and the uniyeranl sentiment Of this region, 80
far as eau ascertain, farors the presentation
OF Smiths surrender, upon the requisition Of
the Governor, rs the ultimatum Of the Union.
Urown's execution is Us certain as ttat 10.
morrow's sun will rise. Aflstatcrnents made to
you to the contrary IRE without a sbadow Of
foundation. Frocrustiaati0n Of his SD doom
need not be assumed IS basis for hope by the
friends Of the unfortunate consprator. The
| policy which suggests this should not be under
stood 70 contemplating the question Of pardon
or communication 0f sentence. It involves no
| such sequence necessarily and no such purpose
| il contemplated by this act of clemency. lie
must die, 10 uatter what the influences ia l,e-
half Of Lis pardon nlay be. Let EFown5 friends,
| therefore. reconcile themselves as best they
to his sad flte. and spare themselves uny furth
| er trouble in the lire of his pardon or commr-
taton Of his sentence, for will all prove utte1
| II vain.
| 1 have information which justifles INC in stat
| ing that most of the Southern members Of Con-
| gross are being Influenced to seize upon the
first pretext that may offer during the comin;.
| session to retire from the hall Of the House Of
Representatives., md break up the Union. In
deed, tie present ttate Of things, in connection
With The 1iarrer's Ferry ins1rrection. is urged
as sufficient ground for such ii, issue. Inas-,
much, however, as the ends Of justice IN refeE
cnce to the parties involved in this marti
have not been retarded bY any act dd
The part of the South, it is maintain
cd BY many that ,be crisis has not
involving such crisis: for it is hoped tbnt the
discussions growing out Of it iu Congress will
inevitably involve ihe funl issue Of disuuion.
Virginia., hitherto conservative, is now rife for
| such an eyeut; and question very much if it
would not hare followed upon the heel Of the
cournse, frmncss and conservatism than Gov.
Wise been at the helm Of State. This result
was obvated no less through his individual con-
sergatisln thun tie universal confldcnce rcposed
| in him. With q man nC Iesh courage and de-
cis1on ut the head Of afairs there was reason ru
uprrehend prompt interference on the part
Of itc people; aud, ,infuriuted as they necess"ri-
ly would Lecomc upon more intimaie conncc-
tion with the scenes und outrages ut Harper's
Ferry, they would permit tue Wild passions Of
tue hour to govern; and. as is now generally
presumed, the standard Of 4 Southern confede-
racy would be raised upon the spot. al! this
Wise unquestionably avertcd.
Ny inquiries. few Days ago, regarding the
number Of half breed negroes sent from thls
city to the North Ly their white parents, to be
educated and brought back contrary to law
hare nude the aforesaid parents quito. uneasy
especially on hearing tue object os my inquirer
ebe the furnishing Of their names 10 ihe Nsr e,
. ! ing many others in the offence hes,des thos'
whose names first obtained. Statesmen, poll
sicians. lawyers, doctors and host Of othe
men Of good stanGiu=, arc compromised in tti
. criminal record. As the conduct Of these gen
tlemcu will form u subject Of icgal inquiry,
will forc:o the publication Of the catalogue {
na1nes Tor the present. When they come u
. fore the court 4 course all restraint in sesar
- to the publication Of the names and offence
: will he removed. We shalt hare pretty kc
!, tie of fish when the catalogue is published .