Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-02-16
Sentence ofstovens and.Hazlct,.

- hear the sentence Of ne law passed upon Haz
lsts and Stevens. some sime Va. occupied b,
Of Haslstt and u vas twelve O'Clock before Ste
vsns was brought into court BY the sheriff, jailor
| and guard OF twenty men by the "JeBerson
| Guards" Both prisoners wore an unconccrned
air, and seemed utterly untcrrifed Of the awful
position in which they have placed themselves.
The clerk having asked the prisoners il they
had anything y say why sentence should MOI
be passed upon them both responded that they
had.
| Stevens then said: MAY it please the court,
have few words 10 say. Some OF the testimony
| given against me was untrue. Oae Of the wit
nesses stated that said, Let us kill the - oil
| - burn the town. To those who know me it
| il useless to mako denial Of this charge. but
deny here before, God and man. of ever having
made such q proposition. Wish to shy that
am entirely satisfied with the conduct of my coun-
| sol Mr. Sennett. | think he did all in his power
| in my behalf. l desire also to return my thanks
to the officers who have had charge me, for their
| universal kind treatment. and TO my physician
| for the services rendered me whilst suffering from
my wounds. When | think ofmy brothers sla ugh
tered and sisters outraged, my conscience does
not reproye mo for my actions. shall meet my
fate manfully."
This reference is understood to be the treat
mcnt Of his northern brethren and sisters during
the Kansas broils.
words TO say. l am innocent Of the charge on
which have been convicted. deny ever hay
ing committed murder, or ever having contcmpla-
ted murder, or ever having associated with any
one with such intentions. Some OF the witnesses
have sworn TO things which deny, aud which
were positively false. For instance, in re'crehcc
to my beard; ] have never in my life until my I'M
prisonmcnt in Jail, allowed my beard to 30 more
tWn three weeks without shaving. and all lcsti.
monv therefore hs To the lenghth ot my beard ~
is false Again. Mr.. Copeland testified that
was sitting n stool when he entered The cell at
Carlisle; this deny was sitting on blanket,
back against tho wall, and another man was on
the stool. Copeland also said there were only
two men in the cell; this is false. m there were
four other white mon in the cell with me, aud
We comprised all the prisoners in the jail Others
of the witnesses made false statements, but ! tor
give them NIL l have been treated kindly since
my continem ent---mueh better than hdd cXpc'-
tcd--an1 must shy that think better Of Nir
ginia. wish also to return my thanks to the
COUNSEL who have 40 ably defended me-; they have
done more in my behalf than Northern counsel
could possibly have done. repeat, am nnu-
cent of murder, but am prepared To meet my
fate"
Tho prisoners having concluded, Judge Kinney
then proceeded to read the following sentence du-
ring which he much affected, aud at times
could with difficulty give utorance TO the sen
tence:
Aaron ID. Stevens, you have been indicated aud
tried by jury of the country, and after being de-
Tended with zeal and ability by counsel Of your
own choice, from your own section of our com
mon country, you have been found guilty of adj
wishing md cbnspiring with slaves to rebel and
make nsurrection; and for conspiring with John
Brown and others to rebel and mako insurrec-
ton.
And you, Albert lIazlett, have also been indic-
ed by jury of the country, aud found guilty ots
murder IN the first degree in wliully. deliberate
ly, feloniously and of malice aiorethought, killing
aud numbering George W. Turner. Fountain Beck
hmm and others, and you have also been defended
by counsel OF this country assigned toyou ut your
request by the court, with an ability seldom
equaed, aud with zeal and attention to every
point in your oase, whether Of law or fact that
could not have beeu surpassed had they been de-
Tending a citizen OF their own county.
You have been prosecuted with great ability by
tho couDsel representing the Common weal,h, aud
with IN interest the magnitude of the charges re.
CURED. vet, in manner the most iastidlous could
not accept to.
The painful duty is devoved upon mo to an.
nounce thus publicly the penalty the law aiixcs
to tho crime whereof you are now found guilty.
When look upon yonr comparative youth,
your genteel appearance, and consider the mental
ugonies you must have endured during thusc pro.
tracted trials, | cannot help plying you and
could wish. il the honor and dignity of Virginia,
the security of her citizens aud their property
would authorize it, the law imposed loss pcuul.
ty than death.
The crimes in which you participated, and
which were 50 tragica in their incipient steps. is
carrid to the extent contemplated by you and
your accompliccs and assocators in arms, tor hor
ror and iratcrnal periidy would have had no pnr
alel in modern civilization since the massacre Of
st. Barthoomew's eve.
But will not attempt to harrow your feelings
by rehearsal Of the scenes ut llarpers Ferry in
October last--this is now part Of tho history of
our common country aud will | hope. for years
| to come, constitute Its darkest page.
prefer divertng your attention to your aw lul
si;uation Tor declare to you that believe ynu
ought not to indulge in any hopes Of pardon or
| Communication OF your punishment, or of the sus-
pension oi its execution, (unless there is some
error in the proceeding Of tho court or in its OPT
Mons and there is none, | Think and TO urge
you to devote the tow days remaining to you IN
preparing to meet that Judge before whom You
and |, your jurors and counsel. and all. most APP
| pear 10 render an account OF the deeds done III
| the body.
| You who have been raised in tho Christian
| world must have learned that there is IL gru, ous
Rcdeemer, who invites all. even tho greatest cri
minals, to believe in him. to repent of then
crimes, and partage Of the blessings of his atou
ing blood.
Ii you can realize your awful position. and cal
on the ministers Of our holy religion, they vii
instruct you in the way that leads to life ever
lasting. They will pray with You and for you
they will acc mpany you TO the edge of the gray,
aud commend you to the great Captain Of "ui
salvation, in whom ii you conide and on him re
ly, by his "rod and staff he will conduct vol
safely through the dark valley ct tho shadow :,
death"
lie then proceeded to sentence each of them t,
be hung publicly on Friday the 10th day .
March next, between the hours Of 10 o'clock \
NJ. and o'clock =. Nj.
Immediately after passing sentence, the cout
remanded the prisoners to Jail and the crow,
drawn together to witness the proceedings quietl,
disnersed.