Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-04
On motion Of Mr. RANDOLPH The House Adjourned.
TRIAL OF STEvINS THE HARPER'S FERRY IL.
EADFR

CnRLRsrowS, Feb. 2-The Court opened at 10 o'clock
tbs A. NJ, Judge join Kinney presiding.
The prisoner Stevens brought in by the jaiior and
guard. lie appeared TO be in perfect health
Mr. Sennott his counsel suggested TO the Common.
wealth the propity Of announcing whether it would
elect try al of the courts, whether they
lied upon all for a conviction. lie also read lei.
ter from Pr sdent Buchanan in reply to inquiries made
in regard TO tie nal He thought the Commonwealth
had acted in bad h towards the prisoner in removing
hi, case to the Federal Court and then receding from
that determinations; and he thought the indictment
should be quashei lie appealed to the mercy Of the
Court for it certainly would be act Of mercy TO send
the prisoner TO Stanton for trial
Nr. Harding, the part OF the Commonweah, said
he had not made he proposition for the emoya OF the
clse and had strongly protested against it Throughout!
the trial. He at first willing to all the prso-
to the Federal authorities, but after the STATE
decided to try them, he opposed 70 any change. e
did not consider toy. Wise had authority to make the
change, and the hing done under hislprotest.
Mr.. Hunter weht into the details Of the circumstances
which led to the change Of the place Of trial. and de-
nounced utterly the assertion of Mr.. Sennou
that Stevens forced to plead the Late Of the
court
Mr. Sennott dsclamed any intention to reflect on any
one and spoke coquently of the State Gf Virginia ho-
ping his tongue might wher before he ihould speak in
any but terms OF praise Of the noble old State of Virgin
ia. When the oler made to send Stevens to Staua.
ton, he thought, as matter Of life and death he
had better accept the oer else he should share the fate
of Brown.
Judge Kinney after stating his understanding Of th,
motion OF Mr. Sennot stated that there was nothing
show that Virginia had made legal surrender Of
the prisoner. lie would pay attention political IL
fuences and the prisoner should have fair a Trial
any Southern could possibly have lie coul only
LOOK appeal Of the counsel 70 the deenc D
the State to transfer the case and he would have re-
jet the appeal.
Nr. Harding moved noiie prossg on the cd i1diet,
ment the prisoner would be tried on the indictments
rought in yesterday.
Mr. Sennott requested the Comm onwea to Sc et one
count in the Indictment in order render tn. case es
complicated, and in justice 10 tie prisoner.
Mr.. Hunter replied quoting number Of auth BRIT 10
show the legality OF the course TAKEN and dec mi to
lecede from any count in the indictment dee MI al
necessary.
Mr. Harding objected to the motion of Mr.. Sennot to
ELECT one indictment, and argued that all The counts
we-e of the degree all punished by DEATH
and that each an indictment in Itself and
cessary to render the case free from embarrassment
lie quoted number Of authorities to show the
ness Of his position.
Judge KINNEY said he could not see how could en-
barrass the prisoner by oinder of all the The
object to give the prisoner all The chances in bis IS.
vor but still the Commonwealth had the right msir-
tain that the prisoner regarded innocent until
proved guilty lie therefore rejected the motion Of
counsel for selecting Mr. Sennott stated that
he would present exceptions the ruling Of the courts
the proper tiAe.
This argument Of the counsel occupied than two
hours, aud evens not called plead 10 the 10
dicmcnt until after IL o'clock.
The reading Of the Indictment occupied ten minutes
during which time he stood up in erect manner, mol
moving mus lie, aud he answered the charge With in
untaltcring voice, Not guilty.
The empu cling OF the jury then commenced, and
the whole tN entyiour exhausted without secuntB
jury. Additional taesmen were summoned but AZ The
hour OF adjournment, o'clock the jury not con
plete Before the Court adjourned Mr.. Hunter said be
had Just been handed paper from Governor Leche H
forming him that brother of Coppc had been arre'ed
in Iowa
Judge Kinney gave orders for another Grand jury
which will meet tomorrow, az 10 o'clock
The prisoner, Stevens, made his appearance in Coah
in new suit of clothes. He appeared in good spirits
The Court room was crowded during the mofningl ana
much interest was manifested in the proceedings.
The case will occupy several days. The Wtnesse;
the case OF llazlet have been discharged till Aoni'
The jurors for his have been summoned IRON
Frederick COUNTY AS imnossiba them here.