The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-17
The Harper's Ferry Conspirators-
Correspondence OF the Baltimore Americanl


Tho court room was crowded yesterday morning IN
Stevens. Some time was occupied By Counsel 10 nre
eentng bills Of exception In the of Hazle and was
O'Clock before Stevens brought into the court
house The prisoners were brought into BY the
Sheriff. Jsilor and guard Of twenty men, Of the Jeer
son Guards Both prisoners wore an unconcerned air,
which they have placed themselves
Inc Clerk having asked the prisoners Il they had any
them, both responded that they had
Stevens then said; "May please the Court, have
few words to cay Some q the testimony given ag.inst
me was untrue. Ono Of the witnesses stated that said
Let us kill the - of--and burn the town. To
those who know me is useless to make denial Of this
CHARGE but deny here before God and man. ever having
made such proposition. wish to coy am entirely
satisfied with the conduct Of my counsel Mr. Senno I
think he did all in his power in my behalf desire also
TO return thanks TO the officers who have had charge
OF me, for their universal kind treatment and to nv
ply stefan for the services rendered whilst suffering
from my wounds. When think of my brothers saueh.
tered and sisters outraged my conscience does not Re-
prove me for my actions. shall meet my fate man.
This reference ia understood to be the treatment Of
BIS Northern brethren and sisters during the Kansas
Bazett then spoke as follows have few words IN
say. am innocent OF the charge which have been
convicted. deny ever havirg committed murder or
ever having contemplated murder ever having assoc
ateo with any with such Intentions Some Of the Wit
Deeses have sworn to things which deny, and which
we're positively false. For instance In reference to my
oeaio nave never IN my life, until my Imprisonment
in Jail allow ed my beardto go more than three weeks
without shaving, and all testimony therefore, as to the
thai sitting stool wien he entered the cell At
Carlisle; this DENY was sitting on q blanket back
against the WALL and another man was on the sno Coz
land also there were only two men in the cali this q
fase as there were four other white men In the cell
with me and we comprised all the white prisoners ia the
jail. Others OF the witnesses made false statements
but / forgive them ALL l have been treated klndIy
since my conenemept-much better than had ex.
pected-apd must say l think better Of Virginia I
wish also to return my thanks the counsel VINO nave
SO ably defended me; they have more in my behalf
than Northern counsel could possibly have DONE re-
peat am innocent OF murder, but prepared to meet
my fate :.
The prisoners having concluded, Judge Kinney then
proceeded TO read the following sentence during which he
nuch affected and at times could with difficulty 0iya
utteIa to the sentence rs
Aaron D Stevens you have been indicted and tried by
jury Of the country and after being defended with zeal
ard ability bt counsel of your choice from your own
section OF our common country, you have been found
guilty OF acvffng and consprng with slaves rebel
make inserrecon and for conspiripg With John Brown
anu Others to rebel and make instruction.
Ano you, Albert Hszett, have also been indicted by
jury Of the country and found guilty Of murder in the
mrs Degree IN wfuly, deliberately feIon iousy and of
malice aforetooueht, killing aud numbering George w.
been defended counsel Of this county assigned to YOU
at your request by the Court with ability SELDOM eous
led and tn zeal and attention TO eyerv point In your
whether OF law fact that could not have bean
surpassed had they been defending citizen their own
county.
You have been prosecuted with great ability h, tho
counsel Representing the Commonwealth and with an in
ereet the msgnitnoe Of the charges required vet in
iha painful oIty s devolved upon TO announce thus
publicly the penalty the law axes to the crimes whereof
you are found guilty.
When look on your comparative youth your peu.eeI
appearance and consider the mental agones YOU mast
nave endured during these protracted trials csnnot
rep pity ing you, anG could wish the honor and dignity
OF virginia the security Of Der and their property
wouic authorize it, that the law imposed less penalty
than death.
The crimes in which you participated, and which were
70 iragics Their incpep steps carried to the extent
contemplated by You and Accomplces and associates
10 parallel in modern civilization since the OF st.
Barthoomews eve.
But Will no. attempt 70 harrow your feelings by q
rehearsal of the at Hsrpers Ferry In October As
this now part Of the history of our common country
and will hope, for years TO come, constitute its darkest
page.
prefer dvertipg your attention 10 your awful situation.
For d. clare that believe you ought not indulge
In hopcs Of pardon mutation of your punsh-
ment OF the suspension Of s execution unless there
opinions and there Is thnk-and TO urge YOU 10
Devote the few days remaining to you ia preparing TO
meet that Judge before whom aud l. your counsal
and jurors and ALL must appear TO render account of
the DECIDE done in the body.
You who have been raised In the Christian world mus,
have learned that there gracious Redesmer who in
ves all even the greatest criminals, to believe in Aim
"a repent OF their crimes and rartake OF the blessings of
Ms atonirg blood.
Nyou can realize your awful position and call on Tho
ministers oi or holy religion, they viii cheertuy, gladly
wat on youhey will instruct you ia the way thai leads
20 LIE everlasting They viii pray with yoi and for You;
they VIII accompany you 10 the edge OF the grave and
commend you To the great Captain of our salvation, IN
weoin y you ooniie and on him rely by His "rodsHst
stsa he VII conduct YOU safely through the dark Valley
o. the Shadow q Tratr
He thea proceeded sentence each OF them TO be hum