The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-10-28
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Trial of the virginia Insurrectionists.
CHARLEsTowN, Va, October 81.

CHARLEsTOwN, VA, October u.
The storm Of last evening prevented the
transmission of the latter part of the pro-
ceedngs of the Court. The Court finally re.
fused to postpone the trial, and the whole
afternoon was occupied in obtaining jury
Brown occupied cot, in which he was car
ried into the Court room. The trial will be
resumed this morning, when counsel for
Brown is expected from Ohio.
During the session of the Court on Wedues-
day afternoon, prisoner Brown laid with his
eyes closed. Though evidently not much in
jured, he is determined to resist tho pushing OF
his trial by all means in his power. The jury
was then called and sworn. The Court ex-
cluded those who were present at Harper's
Ferry, and also those who had formed or ex-
pressed any opinion that would prevent the
citing Of the case impartially. Twenty four,
mostly farmers from distance, some owning
a few slaves, were selected as competent jurors.
Out of these the counsel for the prisoner struck
eight. Twelve were selected by ballot from
the remaining sixteen, as follows: Richard
Timbsrlako, Joseph Myers, Thomas Watson,
Jr, William RightstOne, Asa Dart, John G.
Mcclure, Jacob j. Miller, Thomas Osborne,
George w. Boyer, John G. Wiltshire, George
W. Tspp and William A. Martin. The jury
we're not sworn on the case, but the Judge
charged them not to converse upon the sub
jeot, nor to permit others to converse with
them.
John Copeland, the muatto prisoner, from
0berln, Ohio, has made full confession to
the United States Marsha!s, Mr.. Martin, Of
Virginia, and Mr.. johnson, Of the Northern
District of Ohio. He has given the names Of
parties at Oberlin, who induced him to 60 to
Harper's Ferry, who furnished the money for
his expenses, &c. He also states movement
of similar character was contemplating in
Kentucky about the same time. Many persons
in Northern OHIO, whose names have been
heretofore mentioned, are directly implicated.
His confession is withheld from the public
until the trial is over, by order of Governor
Wise. Mr.. johnson was shown to-day o large
number of letters duplicating Gerritt Smith and
a number Of prominent men of Oberin, Cleve-
land and other points in Ohio. Among the
letters is one signed Horace Greeley It Co., that
had inolosed SAL; seven letters from Kansas
and two from Ohio. 1t was directed to j. H..
Kagl, one of tho killed, but as he had been q
correspondent Of the Tribune, this letter had
evidently inclosed his pay.
Another letter from Captain Brown to one
Of his sons, dated April 16, 1859, details n
visit to Gerritt Smith, Petersboro, which the
writer regarded as highly encouraging, and
says that Smith gave him $lOO, and that he
also received at bis house a note that he con-
sidsred good for 5000 more; also, that Smith
had written to his friends at the East that
$4,000 must bo raised for Brown, of which he
would agree to furnish one-fi fifth himself. There
is also notice Of q draft from tho cashier Of
the New York State Bank, sent him by the
direction of Gerritt Smith, dated Albany,
August 20, 1859.
Marshal johnson also has list of the Of
fcers of the provisional Government" and Il
list of contributors TO the project. He left for
Cleveland last evening, taking copies with
him.
The examination made by him settles the
fact that this movement had long been matur-
ing; that many more prominent States have
given money and influence In its behalf, and
when the facts are made public sensation
may be expected.
Brown was brought into Court this morning,
being able TO walk, but he immed lately laid
himself down in his cot at full length within
the Bar. He looks considerably better, the
swelling having left his eyes. Senator Mason
is among the spectators. Messrs. Harding and
Hunter represent the Commonwealth and
Bolts and Green the prisoner.
Mr.. Bolts read the following telegraphic
dispatch, received this morning:
AKRON, Ohio, October 26, 1859.
7. j. FAULKNER AND LAWSON Boris,
Charlesto,on, Va: John Brown, leader of the
insurrection at Harper's Ferry, and several
of his family have resided in this county for
many years. Insanity is hereditary in that
family. His mothers sister died with it, and
daughter of that sister has been two years
in the Lunatic Asylum. A son and daughter
of his mothers brother have GlSo been confined
in the Lunatic Asylum, and another son Of
that brother Is now insane and under close
restraint. These facts can be conclusively
proven by witnesses residing here, who will
doubtless attend the trial if desired.
(Signed,) A. II. LEWIS.
The telegraph operator at the Akron office,
VIM. C. Allen, adds to the above dispatch
that A. H. Lewis is resident of that place
and his statements are entitled to implicit
credit.
Mr.. Bolts said that on receiving the above
dispatch he went to the Jail with his associ-
ate, Mr.. Green, and read it to Brown, and he
was desired by the latter to say that in his
fathers family there has never been any in
sanity at all. On his mothers side there
have been repeated instances of it.
He adds, his first wife showed symptoms of
it, which was also evident in his first and
second sons by that wife. Some portions of
the statement in the dispatch he knows to be
correct, of other portions he is ignorant. He
does not know whether his mothers sister
died in the Lunatic Asylum, but he does be-
lieve o daughter of that sister has been two
years in an Asylum, and thinks son and
daughter of his mothers brother has been
confined in the Asylum, buthe wasnot aware
of the fact that another son of that brother is
now insane and in close confinement.
Brown also desires his counsel to say that he
does not put in any plea Of insanity, and if he
has ever been at all insane he is totally uncon
scious of it; yet he adds that those who are
most insane generally suppose that they have
more reason and sanity than those around
them. For himself, he disdains to put in that
plea, and seeks no immunity of that kind.
This movement is made totally without his
appreciation or concurrence, and was unknown
to him until the receipt of the above dispatch
Brown here raised himself in bis bed and
said, "I will add, if the Court will allow me
that look upon it as miserable artihco and
pretext of those who ought to take differen,
course in regard to me, if they took any al
all, and view it with contempt more thar
otherwise. As said to Mr.. Green, insane
persons, as far as my experience goes, have
but very little ability to judge OF their OWL
sanity, and if I am insane of course I should
think I know more than all the rest of th,
world, but do not think so; 1 am perfectly
unconscious of insanity, and reject, so fal
as am capable, any attempt to interfere IN
my beb alf on that score."