The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-02-10
The Trial of stephens, one Of the Har-
per's Ferry Conspirators.

The Trial of stephens, one Of the Har-
per's Ferry COnspirators. .
The trial of A. D. Stephens, one of the
Harper's Ferry Conspirators, commenced
at Charlestown, Va, on the 1st, before
Judge JOHN KENNY, of Rockingham, Va.
Messrs. Harding and Hunter appeared for
the State, and Geo. Sennett, ESQ.,, of Bos-
ton, for the defence. The Judge, in deliver
ing his charge, said Of the Harper's Ferry
invasion: -'i ~ ''.-.
1t is known to you, and is now part
of the history of the country, that on the
night of the 10th of October last, a band of
traitors, murderers and incendiaries stealth.
lily made descent on the soil of Virginia,
in the county of Jefferson, and wantonly
murdered several of our citizens and people,
with the design to incite our slaves to revolt
and to subvert our government. Some of
these desperadoes, and others, the dupes of
towards, were captured, tried and punished
according to their deserts. But there are
some engaged, or supposed to have been en-
gagged in this foray, who have not as yet
been apprehended, and others who are be-
lieved to have been actively engaged in this
tragedy, but who are not yet known to the
public.
at will be your duty, and 1 believe your
pleasure also, to inquire who was guilty Of
polluting our soil, and attempting to dis
honor Virginia. l deem it necessary for
me to recommend you to conduct your in
quiries with that GOODNESS, justice and good
sense which has distinguished your prede-
cessors in their inquisitions, and which has
met the appreciation of the patriotic and
good citizens of our common country. So
conduct your inquiries that the bright es~
cutcheon of your beloved state shall not be
dimmed by passion or groundless suspicion,
favor or affection, as you may elicit the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth"
The grand jury returned true bill against
Stephens, charging him with murder and
treason, and with conspiracy to incite slaves
to create rebellion. An Indictment of
similar character was found against Haziett.
The only military force on guard at Charles
town, is company of twenty cavalry.
CHARLEsTowN, Va, Feb. 2-The court
opened at 10 o'clock this morning, Judge
John Kenny presiding.
MIR. Stevens was brought in by the jailor
and his guard, in seeming perfect health.
Mr.. Sennot suggested to the common
wealth the propriety of announcing whether
it would elect to try one or an the counts,
or whether they relied upon one or all for
conviction. He also read letter from Pre-
sident Buchanan in regard to inquiries in
regard to the trial. He thought the COM
monwealth had acted in good faith to the
prisoners, in removing the case to the federal
court and then recediDg from that determi-
nation, and thought the indictment ought
to be quashed. He appealed to the mercy
of the court, for it certainly would be an
act of mercy to send the prisoner to Stanton
for trial.
Mr.. Harding, for the commonwealth, had
not made proposition for removal, and
had strongly protested against that through.
out the trial. He was at present willing to
turn them all over to the federal authorities,
but after the state decided to try them he
Was opposed to any change of trial. He did
not consider Gov. Wise had authority to
make the change.
Mr.. Hunter denounced as utterly untrue
the assertion of MIR. Sennot, that Stevens
was forced to plead at the late term of the
court.
Mr. Sennot disclaimed any intention to
reflect on any one, and spoke eloquently of
the state of Virginia, hoping bis tongue
might wither before be would speak in any
but terms of praise of the state.
When the offer was made to send Stevens
to Stanton, he thought he should better ac-
cept the offer, for it was a matter of life
and death, and he might share the fate of
Brown.
Judge Kenny, after stating bis under
standing of the motion OF Mr.. Sennot, said
there was nothing to show that he ever made
a legal surrender of the prisoner. He would
pay no attention to political influences, and
the prisoner would have as fair trial as
any southern man could have. He could
only look on it as an appeal Of the counsel
for the defense to trasfer the case, and would
have to reject the appeal.
Mr.. Harding moved a nolle prosequi on
the old indictments, as the prisoners would
have to be tried on the indictment brought
in yesterday.
Mr.. Sennot requested the commonwealth
to select one count in the indictment, in or.
der to render the case less complicated, and
in justice to the prisoner. .5 500 lmso,
Mr.. Hunter replied, quoting number Of
authorities to show the legality Of the course
taken, and declining to recede from any
count on the indictment, deeming them all
necessary. ,98 iqaso.sa