The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-08
THE DAY BOOK.
canxictinnAo of stevens.

We stated yesterday that Stevens, the Har-
per's Ferry invader and murderer, had been
convicted at Charlestown. A letter from
that place dated Saturday, gives the follow
ing particulars of the close of his trial, and
other matters appertaining:
The Court opened this morning at !0
clock when, after some unimportant business
the trial of Stevens was proceeded with
Owing to the great severity OF the weather
there was but a small attendance OF specta-
tors.
Mr.. Small, one of the witnesses for the
State, testified that Stevens, amongst other
things, said that the Virginians were set
of thieves and robbers
Mr.. Sennott interrupted the witness, ana
said that he must confine himself to the case
under consideration, and remarked tnat the
iury were men of as good sense as the VIII
ness. and did not wish to hear any such tes-
timony.
The interruption OF MIR. Sennott caused q,
good deal of dissatisfaction in the court. Ihe
witne again proceeded, but was very soon
INTERRUPTED az ain by MIR. Sennott, VINO Cd
iected to the receiving of the testimony OF
the witness.
An exciting scene here occurred between
the witness and MIR. Sennott, and the Judge
had to call witness to order.
MIR. Sennott declared that il the declara
tions of the witness were received, he would
make no further attempt to interfere IN the
case.
MIR. Hunter said if the counsel TOR the de-
fence reiusedto make an effort tor the prs
oner, it would be proper to appoint couhsel
to conduct the defence.
Mr.. Sennott stated tn at he was employed
by the prisoner and not by the court, and he
would not withdraw at the dictation OF the
counsel for the Commonwealth.
The affair was queteI and the witness pro
ceeded.
The Commonw ealth concluded the case at
u o'clock, when the counsel for the defence
introduced as witnesses, Sheriff Campoell anu
j. W. Gallagher, the jailors, testiiylng 10
Stevens good character whilst under their
charge. They never heard an oath rom
lin, and were pleased with his general de-
pertinent.
The Commonw alth here made PROPOSE
ton to submit the case without argument,
but the offer was declined by the defence,
who wished to be heard Tor his client.
Mr.. Harding made the opening argument,
though he remarked that he scarcely aeeMea
it necessary to argue the case. MS sPeech'
indeed, was rathtr political than otherWise,
and the question OF the dissoiutioh OF Inc
Union claimed more attention from MIR. IL.
than the prisoner at the bar. lie denounced
as a ialsehood ard libel, the assertion OF Capt
Brown that he was to receive aid from the
laboring classes at Harper's Ferry. lie SAID
that they were true to the Constitutioh
and to the State, and referred TO theif ac-
ton in putting down the invaders OF their
soil.
After an eloquent reference to the Ameri-
can flag, Mr.. Harding concluded with an
earnest appeal To the jury to vindicate the
II, h = lni. ipt Ia
a bood-thrsty villain and wretch, charging
that he was worse than Brown. He conclu-
ded at l2% O'Clock, having occupied about
one hour in the delivery OF his address.
Mr.. Senpott, Tor the defence, made an able
and elonuent speech for the prisoner, going
into detailed narrative OF the rise and pro-
rress of the Republican party, and closing
With an earnest appeal to the jury to spare
the life of the prisoner
MIR, Hunter then rose on the part OF the
Commonwealth and ior more IMAM an hour,
unclaimed the attention OF the CoorC III one
of the most powerful arguments ever deliver
ed in the court room. He took up every po-.
sition of the counsel for the defence. and re-
nlied to them with telling effect. lie said he
had no confidence 10 the Union meetings OF
the Nor tn. and said he thought the invasion
had been a benefit to the South, as 1t had
shown them the position in which they were
placed. He referred to Mr.. hickman ooast
of eighteen millions of freemen in the North,
and declared that the South was prepared
for for any ay emergency. He concluded his argu.
ment at o'clock, and after some time spent
in drawing up Instructions by the counsel
the case was submitted to the jury at o'cls,
who Immediately retired, and after an alb
sence of fifteen minutes, returned with a YER
dict of guilty against the prisoners on all the
counts in the indictment. The prisoner re-
ceived the verdict of the jury with the most
perfect indifference, and smiled at the an.
nouncement.
The course of Mr.. Sennott in refusing to
cross-question the witnesses after his colloquy
with Mr.. Hunier, was not generally approx
ed, though he was sustained by Stevens.
Hazlett's case was taken up on Monday
He is defended by Virginia counsel, as Mr.
Sennntt has returned to Boston.