Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-11-02
Trial of Brown the Leader of the
Harper's Ferry COnspiratOrS.

Harper's Ferry COnSpfratOrs.
The trial of Brown commenced at Charles
town, the county seat Of Jefferson county Vii
ginia, on last Thursday, The indictment
charges him first, with insurrection; secondly
with treason; thirdly, with murder. On be-
ing brought into court, be took occasion tc
express the belief he entertained, that he
would not receive fair trial He stated
that he had not employed any Counsel and
seemed unwilling at first, that the Court
should assign him any. 1t was however final
ly arranged. that Messrs. Green and Bolts.
should act as his Counsel. He said that he
was not insane at the commencement of, or
during the insurrection, and therefore desir-
ed that such plea should not be urged in
his behalf. The Jury having been sworn,
he pleaded not guilty. Mr.. Harding the
District Attorney then stated the facts of the
case to the Jury, and read The law of Treason
in the State of Virginia, which provides, that
levying war against the State giving comfort
to its enemies, or establishing any other gov
ernmeut within lis limits. are punishable
with death. The murder of citizen is pun
ishable with death. The advising of slave
to produce insurrection is also capital Of
fence. After the Counsel for the prisoner
had made some able remarks concerning the
law affecting the case, the District Attorney
proceeded to cali the witnesses on behalf of
Commonwealth. The testimony thus far
does not differ in the slightest degree, from
the account of the insurrection published in
the Newspapers at the time. On Thursday
afternoon. Mr. Green one of the Counsel for
the prisoner, informed the court that he had
just received telegraphic despatch from
Cleveland, Ohio; stating that Counsel for the
prisoner "were coming" aud asked the court
to adjourn until morning, in order to afford
the new Counsel opportunity to cross exam
inc the witnesses. The court refused to ad-
journ, and the session was continued until
the usual hour. The testimony of John Ais
tadt, farmer and STAKEHOLDER near Harper's
Ferry, although brief, gives correct insight
in to tho designs of Brown in commencing
the insurrection, and We therefore publish
it.
John Al.tadt, sworn-On Monday morning
about 3 o'clock, was aroused from sleep by
a noise at the door, | asked who was at the
door; the reply was, ''get up quick, or we
will burn you up" / asked what they intend
cd to do; they said, "To free the country of
slavery;" they told they were going to take me
to Harper's Ferry; dressad myself aud when
l got to the door | found they had all my
blacks, seven in number; We were all pat in
to wagon; the negroes were then armed with
pixies; all the men who arrested us were arm
ed; we went to the armory yard; where l was
put in charge of one of Browns party; we
were afterwards ordered into the watch house
and saw Col Washington there; Brown came
and spoke to US about our getting two negroes
to take cur place, and he then would release
us: nothing further was said about that;
Browns rifle was cooked all the time; the
negroes were placed in the watch house with
spears in their hands; the slaves showed no
dis position to use them; witness was after
wards transferred TO the engine house; several
negroes were there; saw "Phil'' making port
holes by Browns orders; the other negroes
doing nothing. and had dropped their spears
sene of them were asleep nearly all the time
Qsughter;) when the marines made the as
sault, Browns party took position behind
the engine house, and aimed at the door:
Brown was IN front, squating, he aimed at
the marines. and my opinion is that he killed
the marine
Geo. w Hoyt, Esq, young Lawyer of
Boston, araived in Charlestown on Fridav
morning, for the purpose of acting as coun
sci for Brown. He did not Immediately take
part In the case The constitution of the
provisional government was laid before the
Jury. Also number of letters found IN the
possession of Brown. Letters from Gerret
Smith, Joshua r Giddings and other promi-
nent abolition leaders were read The teste-
mony for the Prosecution closed on FRIDAY af
ternoon Several witnesses who had been priso-
ner. Of Brown during the insurrection. were
called by the defence for the pur pose of pro-
wing that while i'll e-stody, they we're treated
with humanity Several witnesses having been
called for the defence who did not answer,
Brown arose and stated to the Court, ''that
he thought fair trial was not given him."
and that he believed bis counsel were not
true to him. that counsel on whom he could
rely, would arrive the next day, and reques-
ted the Court to adjourn uutil morning
After some further discussion Mr.. Hunter,