[322] This sworn statement of a cold-blooded murder, by one of the perpetrators of it, elicited not one word of condemnation from any journal published in the Southern States. Wm. M. Williams, the watchman, stated the particulars of his arrest and confinement in the watch house. Capt. Brown told the prisoners to hide themselves, or they would be shot by the people outside; he said he would not hurt any of them. He told Mr. Grist to tell the people to cease firing, or he would burn the town; but if they didn't molest him, he wouldn't molest them; heard two shots on the bridge about the time the express train arrived, but did not see Haywsard killed. Capt. Brown. State what was said by myself, and not about his being shot. Williams. I think you said that if he had taken care of himself, he would not have suffered. Reason Cross. I prepared a proposition that Brown should retain the possession of the Armory, that he should release us, and that the firing should stop. Capt. Brown. Were there two written propositions drawn up while you were prisoner? Cross. Yes, there was another paper prepared by Kitzmiller and some others. I went out to stop the firing; a man went with me, and they took him prisoner and tied him; this was Thompson, who was afterwards taken out and shot; Brown's treatment of me was kind and respectful; heard him talk roughly to some men who were going in to where the blacks were confined. Several witnesses for the defence were then called, but none of them answered to their subpoenas. They had not been returned. There was no doubt, now, that the trial would have been closed at once; for, up to this period, no earnest effort had been made, by the counsel for the defence, to compel the Court to grant a brief delay; when, unexpectedly, John Brown arose from his mattress and addressed the Judge.
John Brown's speech.
May it Please the Court-I discover that, notwithstanding all the assurances I have received of a fair trial, nothing like a fair trial
