Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-11-10

! CHAIR .RsTOwS, Va, Nov S.-The excitement in re-
gard 10 the trial of the Harpers Ferry eonspirators
still eoPtinues, and fair progress is making in the
disposal of the cases. go s -. .s--'e.se
The ease of the free negro Copeland was brought
to el'se on Saturday afternoon the jury finding a
verdict OF not guilty treason as charged in the
first count of the Indictment he not being reCOgnis-
ed rs aetzen; and guilty OF conspiring with slaves
to rebel and OF murder charged in the second and
/ third counts
The case was ably argued by Andrew Hunter on
behalf OF the State. i'he prisoner was defeaded BY
George Se:molt OF Boston, who labcred with lnrch
! zeal for his client
bill Of exceptions and motion for the arrest
OF Judgment was entered by the prisoners counsel
| winch VIII be disposed of tomorrow morning.
Case ~ capt COOk.-The court assembled at 10 o.
clock this morning and called To order b. Judge
Parker. The grand jury was sworn and immediate
| y proceeded to their roOm to consider the of
1 Capt Cook. a number of witnesses We're summon
| ed and the jury absent about two hours. On
the reassembling of the court Mr. Harding the pro-
scouting attorney, stated that number OF wit
ness!s in the case Of Cook who would not be in Ste
pleas case. were present. he would if agreeable TO
the counsel on the other side move to take up the
| ease Of Cook first
Thomas c. Green, Esq, one of the counsel for
Cook. said that the counsel had not yet had time
! to read 1.-THE Indictment and had not yet decided
what plea toenter to the charge he was unable to-
| proceed in the case, and would proceed with the
| case OF Stephens, which would allow them time to
/ prepare the case of Cook.
! The case of Stephens was then called up.
| Stephens was accordingly brought into court al
placed Ona mattress. He is looking pale and has =
gard. the abstinence from food and the large quantI
| ty of medicine taken by him having had decided
effect upon him. He bears up under his wounds
with much fortitude, and is seldom heard to mur-
muir
His counsel, Mr.. Sennott, who had endeavored 10
have his trial moved TO adjoining county but was
refused, appeared, and the impaneling of a jury
was proceeded with. After considerable number
of jurymen had been obtained Mr. Hunter arose
and stated that he had just received dispatch
which would probably interfere with further pro-
eeedmgs in the impaneling jury. He then read
the following Geographic dispatch from Governor
Wise:
To ANDREW s. HUNTER-Dedr Sir - think you
had better try Cook and hand Stephens over to the
FEDERAL authorities. Respectfully,
H A. WISE
Mr.. Hunter stated that he had been in eorrespon-
dence for several days with Gov. Wise, and had in
his possession number of facts important To the
development of this case, which were unknown to
the public. and would. for the present remain so.
lie had, since his last letter to the Governor, come
into the possession of other facts which pointed to
Stephens as the most available party to be handed
oyer to the Federal authority, he felt assured
enough would be ascertained to bring before the
Federal bar. n number of the prominent Abolition
fanatics of the North
Mr.. Harding objected to the proceedings, and in
sisted that the case should be proceeded with. He
was not in league with Gov. Wise or any body else
lie was not feed by any one, AID would only receive
compensation for his arduOuS labOrs in the case
the small pitiance allowed by the Circuit Court.
Mr.. Sennou remarked that he had consulted with
his client and as the jury had been partly chosen
he would not consent that the State should hand
to the Federal government the prisoner, for what
purpose. was known to Governor Wise and had been
az he rem ks of Mr.
If time had been allowed, the trouble had in the
impaneling of the jury would have been dispensed
with.
Mr.. Hunter then remarked that he would proceed
Immediately with the case Of Stephens and hand
over the prisoner HazIett who has not yet been in
dicted, to the Federal court.
1t was material whether Stephens would prefer
a trial or not.
Mr. Sennott then asked delay of a moment, for
consultation with Stephens. after which he an
nounced that the prisoner accepted the offer of the
State to hand him over to the Federal authority,
and would therefore prefer TO be remanded to Jail
Mr. Harding desired the clerk to enter his earnest
protest against the whole proceeding. He cOnsid-
cred the whole proceedings wrong, and wished it so
shown upon the docket.
Judge Parker ito the clerk)-Do no such thing l
wish no such protest entered the docket of this
court.
The prisoner was then handed over to the U. S
Marshal and lodged in Jail where he will remain
until the term of the Federal Court at Staunton
which will not meet for some time.
The Stephens jury discharged and a large
number of the freehOlders Of the county were sum
moned to appear TOMORROW morning at nine clock
when the case of Cook will be taken up 1t will ex
cite large degree of interest Cook will be defen-
ded by J. Z. Mcdonald, Attorney General, and Mr.
Voorhees,, District Attorney of Ind, and Lawson
Bolts and NJ. c. Green of our own bar
The prosecution Will be conducted by Andrew S.
Hunter. ALL
The prisoner seems to be in good spirits and is
not without hope OF a verdict in hIs favor.
Governor Willard and Mr. Crowley his brothers
in-law, will be present during the entire trial.