The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-02-07
9itbmunh qispatfb.
TUESDAY MORNING. . FEB. 2, 1850.
The Trial Of Stevens, one Of the hsrper'a
Ferry Invadsrs..His Cenviction...0ev.
Letcher Mt CharleStewn. &C., &c.

A letter from Chariestown, Va, dated Sat.
urday. gives the annexed sketcn Of the close
Of stevens trial, his conviction, and other
matters appertaiuing
The Court opened this morning At 10 o clock,
when. after some unimportant business, the
trial OF Stevens was proceeded with. Owing
to the severity Of the weather there was but q
small attendance Of spectators.
Mr. Small one Of the witnesses for the State,
| testified that Stevens, amongst other things,
said the Virginians were set OF thieves and
robbers.
Mr. Sennott interrupted the witness, and
| said that he must confine himself 10 the case
uuder consideration, and remarked that the
,urv were men of as good sense as the witness,
and did not wish TO hear such testimony.
| The interruption OF Mr.. Sennott caused a
good deal Of dissatisfac tion in the court Ihe
| witness again proceeded, but was soon inter-
rup,ed again by Mr. Sennott who objected "
| the receiving of the testimony OF the witness.
| Anexci,ing scene here occurred between the
witness and Mr.. Sennott, and the udge mao 70
| call witness to ORDER.
! Mr. Sennott declared il the declarations OF
I the witness were received, he would make no
! further attempt to interfere In the case
Mr.. Hunter said if the counsel for The defence
refused 10 make an effort for the prisoner, 1t
would be proper TO appointoounsel 10 conduct
| the defence.
Mr.. Senno,t stated tina. he was employed by
the prisoner and not by the court, aud ne would
not w ,thdraw 1T the dictatlon OK me counsel
| for the Commonwealth.
The AFFAIR was quieted and the witness pro-
| cseded.
| The Commonwealth concluded the case at
uA O'Clock when the eounsel lor tne deience
| introduced as witnesses, SheIih CaAhpoeit anu
| T W Gallagher the laiiors, testitylng TO Ste-
| yens, good character hist under their charge.
| They never heard an oath from him and were
| pleased with his general department.
| The Commonwealth mere maoe PROPOSE
| tion 20 submit the case without argument, bui
the offer was declines by the defence, who
| wished 10 be heard for his client
| Mr. Harding made the opening argument,
| though he remarked that he scarcely deemed
| it NECESSARY 10 argue the case. His speech,
| indeed was rather political than otherwise,
and the question of the dissolution OF ihe
Union claimed more attention from MI HARD
ing than the prisoner At the bar lie de-
nounced, as u f;iisehood and libel, the asser-
non of Cant Brown that he was To receive
aid from the laboriug classes at Harper s
Ferry He claimed that they were true to the
Constitution aud TO the State, and referred to
their action in putting down the invaders OF
their soil.
After an eloquent reference to the American
flag Mr. Harding concluded with an earnest
appeal to the jury to vindicate the law by their
s-rulct Hecaiied the prisoner IA blood thirsty
villain and wretch, charging that he was worse
than Brown. He concluded At 12 O'Clock, haV-
ing occupied about one hour in the delivery Of
MS address.
Mr.. Sennot. for the defence, made an able
into a detailed narrative OF the rise and pro-
gress of the Republican party, and closing
with an earnest appeal 10 the jury to spare the
life of the prisoner. 30,
Mr.. Hunter then arose on the part of the
Commonwealth and for more than an hour
enchained the attention of the Court in one ot
the most powerful arguments ever delivered
in the Courtroom. He TOOK up every posi- ition
Of the counsel for the defence, and replied to
them with telling effect. He said he had no
confidence in the Union meetings Ill the North.
and said he thought that the invasion had
been a benefit 10 the South, as it had shown
them the position in which they were placed
He referred to Mr.. HiCkmans boast OF
eighteen millions of freemen Ill the North, and
declared that the South was prepared for any
emergency. He concluded his argument at III
O'Clock, and after some time spent In drawing
up instructions by the counsel, the case WAS
submitted TO the jury at O'Clock, who imme-
diaiely retired, and after an absence OF fifteen
minutes, returned with a verdict OF guilty
against the prisoner on all the counts charged
in the Indictment. The prisoner received the
verdict of the jury with the most perfect ln-
difference, and smiled at the announcement.
The course OF MIR. Sennott In refusing to
cross-Q aestion the witnesses after his colioquy
with Mr.. Hunter. was not generally approved,
though he was sustained by Stevens.
The Jefferson Guards and Letcher Cadets
We're reviewed here yesterday by Governor
Letcher, who expressed himself as much
pleased at their soldierly appearance The
Whilst here he was called on by most of our
prominent citizens. WIN expressed themselves
much gratified with the interview.
Hazletts case will come up on Monday
He will be defended by Virginia counsel, as
Mr.. cennott will return to Boston tomorrow.