The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-29
THE HARPER'S FERRY INSURRECTION
TRIAL OF CAPT. BROWN.

e COOK also says that Fred. Douglass acted ii
/ coward, having promised to be there in person.
u George ii. HOyt, of Boston, arrived here tn
morning, as counsel for Capt. Brown. He is quite
i youth in appearance.
j The Court met at II o'clock, when Brown wa
4 led over from the Jail walking but yery feeble
t He laid down on the cot as on yesterday
Senator Mason entered the Court with Mr.. How
OF Boston, counsel for Brown.
,b Before Tor the trial commenced. Brown remarke
tor Phelps yesterday strictly truthful.
The jury were called and answered
: Mr.. Bolts announced the arrival Of M Hoyt
VINO had come here to assist as counsel for th
prisoner AT present, however, he did not feel dis
| posed to take part in the case. Whenever h.
should feel disposed, he would do SO.
J Mr. Hunter suggested that he had better bC
qualified as member of the bar, the production
of proof from Boston,
Mr.. Hoyt stated that not expecting the question
to arise as to his being a member of the Bostol
bar, he had not brought his credentials of admis
sion.
The Court said that strictly legal proof of th
fact was not required. citizens evidence woult
answer.
Mr.. Green said his partner had received letter.
from fellow students of Mr.. Hoyt's, auding to hin
as n member of the bar.
Mr.. Hoyt then took the customary OATH and the
testimony was renewed
BY Mr.. Batts-Conductor Phelps recalled.
| question was put to him prepared by Brown, tC
| which he answered, The firing was commenced by
those men in the bridge, who shot HAYWOOD The
next firing was by Throckmorton. Does not know
! whether the firing at HAYWOOD was intentional
There was no attack made on Brown men until af
ter Haywood was shot; he was shot by armed men,
IN the Winchester span of the bridge. The sound
| OF gun in the bridge
| BY Mr.. Botts-Lews WASHINGTON recalled Nnro
tiatiOns were opening with Brown for the releSs
oil the prisoners. before the general firing COM
menced on Monday. Does not know whether all
the prisoners signed the proposition for suspension
| OF firing. AT the opening Of the negotiations
| Brown frequently suggested that the prisoners
! should cross the bridge with him to the second
canal lock- his party not to be fired upon until af.
ter they reached that point. No objection was
| made by any of the prisoners to e proposition
| Brown said be was too old soldier to weld the
advantage he possessed in holding no tages
| Browns son was wounded during the day
IN the breast the ball passing around to the side but
ne TOOK his weapon again and and fired frequently
Heard Capt. Brown frequently complain of the bad
faith of the people in firing on flag Oh truce;
heard hlm make no threat or even any expressions
OF Vindictveness against the people. Mr.. Brewer
went out and brought in promise that the people
would not fire while the negotiations were pend
ing; cannot say that all the firing of Capt Brown
| or his men was in selt-defense heard Browa give
frequent orders not to fire on unarmed citizens;
the first firing was against the engine-hOuse Brown
said the people appeared to pay but little regard
! to the lives of citizens, and we must take our
chances with them after the first attack on the en-
gine-nouse by the marines, there was not gener-
| al cry of surrenGer-one cried "surrender" but
| others fought on; Brown had rife in his hand
when he was struck down by the marines and cut
over the head with sword BY Lieut. Green.
Mr. Hunter laid before the jury the printed con-
sttution and ordinances of the provisional govern
ment, reading the two first clauses of the pream-
Bile, and the seventh, forty-ffth and forty-eighth
articles, and briefly summing up other portions
| Gt the constitution.
| Sheriff Campbell, sworn-Knows the hand-writ-
| ing OF the prisoner; has copied letter for him
| Capt. Brown said he would identify himself any
OF his handwriting, and save all that trouble. He
was ready to face the music.
Mr.. Hunter said he would prefer proving them
by Mr.. Campbell.
Capt. Brown.-Either way; as you please.
large bundle of letters was produced, each be-
ing identified by Mr.. Campbell, and handed to
Brown, who at tho first glance replied to each, in
loud voice: 'Ies, that is mine" These papers
and letters were about fifty in number.
On receiving list of the members of the conven-
ton, Mr.. Hunter readit 1t was headed William
Charles Morris, President of the Convention, and
II. kag Secretary of the Convention. On hand
ing ing the list to Brown, he exclaimed with groan
"Thats my signature"
In reference to another paper he said, II have
nothing to say about that" Mr.. H. next read letter
from j. r. Gddings acknowledging the receipt of
letter from Brown, and stating that he would be
pleased to see him at his house during the summer.
Mr.. Hunter then read the letter from Gerrit
Smith about "Kansas work." as already publish
ed. 1t is dated June, 1859, and endorsed on the
back in Browns writing.
Mr.. Bolts here insisted on the right ofexamining
Armistead Ball, master machinist of the armory,
testified that on Monday, early in the morning, he
was aroused by Benjamin Hobbs announcing that
persons were at the armory carrying off govern
ment property. When he reached toe gates he
was accosted by two armed men and seized as a
prisoner. They refused to make any explanation
until be had been taken within the armory ward.
Stephens sentry at the gate and conducted
witness to Capt. Brown, who told him the object
was to free the slaves, not to make war on the
peoples; that my person and private property
would be safe; that his against the ac-
cursed system OF slavery; that he had power to do
it, and would carry it out; it was no childs play
he had undertaken. He then gave me permission
to return TO RTy family to them of my safe
ty and get breakfast. Started back home, and was
accompanied by two armed men, who stood at
the door; breakfast not being ready went back and
was allowed to return home again, under escort, at
later hour; returning again, Capt. Brown said
1t was his determination to seize the arms and mu
nltOns OF the government to arm the blacks to de-
tend themselves against their masters. Brown also
made proposition to witness and other officers of
the armory to deliver into his possession the NUM-
tions OF war belonging to the government. We re-
pied that they were already in his possession, as
we were. Brown frequently told US that our safety
depended on the good conduct of our citizens
When the firing commenced all felt that were in
danger, and almost any proposition that was made
was accepted to secure our safety. Brown said if
the citizens willing to risk the lives of the
prisoners to capture him they must abide by it
Brown made but one proposition-to go to the canal
military. AT daylight on Tuesday morning witness
| appealed to Brown on the ground of humanity to
the prisoners as well as to the men who appeared
so bound to him, not to persist in spilling more
blood. Brown replied that he was well aware
what he was about, and knew the consequences;
that he was already proclaimed an outlaw, and
three thousand five hundred dollars was on his head
With regard to the killing of Beckham, of
Browns party, had fired in that direction several
times. demonstrated with him when leveling his
rifle at an old man named CRIES. that he was not
combatant, and he dessted afterwards saw him fire
and heard him say" 81 dropped him." When we heard
that Beckham was dead, the man who fired asked
who he was? We told him he was an old and re-
spectacle citizen-mayor of the town-and the man
who fred expressed himself as very sorry. This man
was afterwards killed at the charge of the marines.
Capt. Brpwn made active preparations for resisting
the marines. He was always in arms, but do not
think | saw him fire.
The other portions of Mr. Balls testimony was
merely a confederation of Mr. Washington
Cross-examined by Mr. Green.-We as prison
ers, agreed to such terms of capitulation as our
citizens were willing to accept. A proposal was
written by Mr.. Dangerfed, dictated by Brown
Does not know whether Browns and Stephens
were wounded while they accompanied the citizens
with IA flag of truce. Did not know that any of
them were Browns sons until witness heard Brown
say, "there lies one of my sons dead, and here is
another dying"
Brown frequently remarked that the citizens
were acting with impunity in perssting in firing
on their citizens. He maintained different
| position all the time. Brown repeatedly said he
would injure no one, only in self defense. Coppee
| frequently urged us to seek places of safety, but
! Brown did not He appeared to desire US to take
care of ourselves, and at the time of the charge of
the marines told us must equally occupy the
! post of danger with themselves. There were three
| or four slaves in TIE engine house. They had
| spears, but all seemed badly scared. Mr.. Wash
| ington's "Phil' ordered by Brown to cut
| port hole through the brick wall. He continued
until brisk fire commenced outside, when he
said otis getting too hot for PHIL, and he squat
ted. Brown then took up the tools and finished
the hole.
John Alsteadt sworn.-0n Monday, morning,
about three O'Clock, arrested from sleep; asked
who was at the door, and the reply was "Get up,
quick, or will burn you upI' Asked what they
| intended to do-they said, "free the country OF
! slavery" Told me they were going to take me to
to the door they had all my blacks, seven in mum
Der. We were all put into a wagon. Negroes
were thes armed with pixies. We went to the
| armory yard where was put in charge of one of
| Browns party; afterwards we were ordered into
the watch house. | saw Colonel Washington
there.
Brown came and spoke to us about our getting
| two negroes to take our place, and then he would
| release us; nothing further said about that;
| Browns rifle was cooked all the time; The negroes
were placed in the watchhouse with spears in their
| hands, but the slaves showed disposition to
use them; witness afterwards transferred to
the engine house; several negroes were there, saw
"PhiP' making port holes, by Browns order; the
other negroes were doing nothing, and had dropped
their spears; some of them asleep nea"ly al
the time; [Laughter;l when the marines made the
assault, Browns party took position behind the
engines and aimed at the dor; Brown was in front