, 1860-02-03
Tfial uf tl1t. Rest OF tl4e I1nrpcrsy
FearY AkkHNQcfectIouf4IaA

Ferry 1Ensurrect1ouisls.',
CmA1s1isrowS, Va, Feb. ed.-The town it;
thtenged to-day, to witness the proceedings vi
the trial of Stephens, one Of tho narpes's Fer
r. consplla.ors,
At eleven o'clcck the Court opened, Judge
John Kchuy. Of Rockingham. presiding;
Judge Parker being engaged in hoidios the res
uAr Town Court in Hampshire county.
The Grand Jury, Of which Il. y. Shor!ey i.
foreman, was sworn. The Judge delivered lit
charge and III referring to ,Ae n4rper's Ferry
iuyaxiou, said 1t is known to you, Gud i.
now i part OF the history Of the couusry, tla:
on the night ofthe 16th Of October last, Il band
Of traitors, murderera and iucsndia,ie Stealth
ly made descent GU the soil Of Virginia. in
the county Of Jefferson, and wantonlr murder
ed seycralo Of our citizens and people, with the
design 10 incite our slases to rcyolt aud to sub
vert our government. Shine Of these despcra-
does and others, the dnpcs Of designing cow
Ing to their descrts- But there are some ell.
gnSed, or supposed TO fave been eugaye.!, in
this foray, who hare been actively engaged 10
this tragedy, but who are not yet known lie
public.
ali will hs your duty, and l believe your
pleasure also, 10 inquire who was gnity OF pol.
luting our soil ind attempting 10 dislonor Iir.
gsnia. deem it necessary for ME to recon-
mend you to conduct your inquiries with that
coolness, justice and good sense whicl. has dis
tlngnistled your predecessors in their luqulsi-
tiuns, and which has met the appreciation Of
the patriotic aud good citizens Of onr common
couutry. So conduct rour inquiries that the
bright cscutcheon Of your beloved State shall
not be dintned By passion or groundless sus
picion, and also let them be conducted without
fear, favor or Affection. as you may solicit
the truth, tic Whole truth, aud nothing but tGe
truth"
The Jury then retired to their room; and tic
witnesses in tho case Of the Commonwealth II.
Aaron D. Stephens, was sent Up.
Before the Jury retired, Nr. Harding, District
Attorney, made un address to them.
After IN absence Of Tn hour they returned
with bill against Stephens, charging him will,
murder and treason aud consplring with slaves
to create rebellion. The witnesses in tue case
of the Commonwealth, r. uaz1ett were then
sent up and an indictment Of the same charac-
ter wss shortly afterwards returned against
lin. The wori Of eulpaneIing the jury III the
case Of Stephens vas postponed until to-mor-
row in order TO allow the Counsel time to ex-
anime the Indictment against lin. Stephens
and Iaz:ett will be defended by Mr. S+nnott.
The Commonwealth is represented by Andrew
Hunter.
crease to any extent the military fvrce now
hare. The oc'y addition that has bcea made is
a company Of tEenty cavalry from SAepards-
town. No fear is entertained Of I'll attempt ut
rescue.
CuArlEsrowS, Ia ,Feb*.-The Coult opened
ut 10 o'clock this morning, Judge john Kenny
presiding.
1t. Sts-ens was brought in bY the jailor actl
his guard in seeming perfect healtt.
Mr. Seunott suggested 10 the Commonwealth
the propriety Of announcing whether it would
elect to trt cue or alt the counts, OF Whether
ther relied on one or ail for convlctiCn. lie
also read letter from President Buchanan, in
- %lr$ AsAt H.
tbot' the Commonwealth had not acted IN Coad
faith 70 tue prisoners in removing the case to
the Federal Court, and then 1cccding from,
that determination, and thought the indictment
should be quashed. lie appealed to the mercy
OF the Court, for it certainly would be an act Of
mercy to send the prisoner 10 Stanton for trial.
sIr: Harding for the Commonwealth had not
made = proposition for reversal, and had
strongly protested against that throughou: the
trial. He was at present willing to turn them
all over to the Federal authorities, but alter the
State decided to TT thc1l, lie w2s opposed to
any change Of trial. lie did not consider Gov.
Wise had authority to make tue change.
yr. Hunter denounced Is utterly untrue the
assertion Of Mt. Sennott, that St5ycns was
forced TO plead at the late term Of the Court.
Mr. Sennott discla;med auv attention TO reflect
On any one aud spoke e1oQurntly Of the State and
hoping his tongue might witheE before be would
spesl 10 any hut terms Of praise Of tue State,
When the offer was made TO send SteVens to
Stanton. he thought he had better accept tae
offer. fpr i: was ma,ter Of life end death, aad
lie might share the fate Of Druwn.
Judge Kenny, after stating his understanding
Of the motion OF Alr. Sennott, said there was
nothing to show that Virginia eFer made le.
gal surrender Of the prisoner. lie would pay
no attention to political influences. and the phi.
soner would have us fair t'icl as any Southern
mnn could hare. lie could only loos on It as m
appeal OF the counsel for the defence 70 transfer
tie case, and would have to reject the apr ca.
Mr.: Harding morcd noUs p'asegse, on ,e
old indictments as prisoners would have to
Le tried on the Indictment brought in yester-
DAY. 49,
Mr. Sennott requested the Commonwealth to
seIec: one count iu the indictment in order to
render the case less complicated a1d in justice
to the prisoner.
Mr. Hunter replied, quoting number Of
authorities to show the legality Of the course
taksn, and declining to 1eoede from any count
on the indictment, deemine theu: all necessary.