Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-27
Preliminary Trial Of the Harper's Ferry In

surgents.
CHARLEsTowS, Va, Oct. 24.-The County
Court of jefferson County, sitting as an ex-
aiming court, with five justices, Charles D.
Harding, States Attorney, Andrew Hunter,
ESQ.,, assisting in the prosecution. AT lo2
o'clock the prisoners were brought mo inc
court room, old John Brown and EDWIN
Coppee coupled together; Stevens BY himself;
the negroes Green and Copeland manacled
together The doors were thrown open q
the crowd and the court room was Instantly
filled. A military guard was also IN atten-
dance. The court requested that the evil
dcnce given on the examination trial should
not be reported, but the testimony Of the
witnesses examined is substantially the same
as the statements heretofore made by them
and published. Browns eyelids were much
swollen, and he looked haggard. Stevens
looked much improved, but salow.
The warrant Of Justice Chew, summonlnS
the Justices of the court, was then read by
the clerk, Thomas a. Moore, and also the
warrant of commitment to jail-both hereto
fore reported.
Mr.. Hunter, assistant counsel for the State
suggested that the court should assign coun-
sci to the prisoners, as upon inquiry they
we're unprovided. The presiding justice,
Col. BraIton Davenport, appointed Hon. Z.
j. Faulkner and Lawson Bolts, ESQ.,, as their
counsel At this moment, Brown arose and
said in clear and distinct voice:
"Iirginians, did not ask for any quarter
or to have my life spared. have the Gov
errors assurance that should have fair
trial. do not know the object of this ex-
animation have applied for counsel from
abroad, but lhave not heard from them
There are mitigating circumstances which
might be presented. If you seek my blood
you can have il at any moment without the
mockery of trial. If am to be hurried to
execution, you can spare yourselves the ex-
pense and trouble Of an examination and
trial. have made free admission OF my
acts and Objects and | hope not to be insul-
ted as cowardly. guilty barbarians insult
those who are in their power"
After the counsel for the defence had q
conference with Brown and his associates
Mr.. Faulkner stated to the court that he
was always ready to discharge the duty
which the court assigned him. He doubted
if they possessed the power to appoint coun-
sci on an examination trial The prisoners
say they consider this examination mocke-
~ of justice, and he would. therefore. prefer
to be excused from acting, from that as well
as for other reasons.
Mr.. Bolts then stated to the court that
his position was not one of his seeking, nor
one that he felt authorized to retire FROM
He would discharge his duty in the case.
Brown then stated that he believed MIR.
Bolts was one who had previously declined
to act as his counsel. He cared nothing
about having counsel for his defence, if he
was to be hurried to execution.
Mr. Bolts said he sent the prisoner word
by the sheriff that he would defend him if
appointed by the court.
Mr.. Hunter then suggested that each Of
the prisoners should be Intercepted if he de-
sired Messrs. Faulkner and Bolts to act as
his counsel.
Brown responded that he left it to them
to exercise their own pleasure. The other
prisoners accepted their services.
The following witnesses were then sworn
and examined, viz: Lewis " Washington, a.
NJ. Kitzmiller, A. NJ Bull, John II. Allstedt.
The evidence being closed and the counsel
having submitted the case, the presiding
Justice said:
1T is the opinion of the court that the pri-
soners should be sent on for further trial"
The prisoners were then taken to jail.
The grand jury sits this evening, and the
result of their Investigations can hardly be
a subject Of doubt
Mr.. Alex. K. Boteler, member elect to
Congress from this district, has collected
from fifty to one hundred letters from citi-
zens in the neighborhood of Browns house,
who searched it before the arrival of the ma
rines.
The letters are in the possession Of An
drew Hunter, esq.,, who has also a large
number of letters obtained from Browns
house by the marines and other parties. 1t
is requested that their contents shall not be
published until after the trial of the prisoners.
Among them is roll of the conspirators,
containing forty-seven signatures; also re-
ceipt from Horace Greeley for letters, &C., re-
ceived from Brown, and an accurately traced
map from Chambersburg to Browns house;
copies Of letters from Brown stating that the
arrival Of too many men at once would excite
suspicion, they should arrive sngly; letter
from Merriam stating that of the 10000
wanted, q. S. was good for one-ffth. Brown
told them to let the women write the letters
and not the men. There is also pathetic
letter from Elizabeth Leeman to her brother
Also, letter from j. Z. Cook, stating that
"the Maryland election is about to come off;
the people will become excited, and we will
get some Of the candidates that will join our
side" Then follows four pages In cypher.
There is also letter from Col. Craig, of the
ordnance department, Washington, answer
ing inquiries as to the disposition Of the Uni
ted States troops, &c.
The case of Lynch arrested yesterday
will not probably be acted upon this term.
The trial Of Brown separately will commence
tomorrow.
Nothing has been heard of counsel from
abroad, but the best talent Of the bar will
defend him, if none arrive.
Trial Of the Conspirators.
No criminal trial has taken place in this
country, within the last half century, that