The voyage ended at the port of Papeete, November 3, 1851, and the prisoner was soon transferred from the war frigate to a cobblestone dungeon in the town. From there he was taken before the governor and arraigned on the charges preferred against him. A native Catholic was first introduced as a witness. He had evidently been coached in regard to what he should say, but not sufficiently so to have it clear in his mind, or else he had scruples against perjuring himself, for he hesitated and seemed confused. The governor evidently thought his confusion due to the prisoner looking at him, for he ordered Elder Brown not to look at the witness, and told him that his "countenance was so fierce and vivid as to baffle the most substantial witness." The next person used against him as a witness was a man who had been brought to Papeete as a prisoner, but never arraigned. He evidently thought that his own immunity from prosecution depended upon his furnishing damaging evidence against Elder Brown, and he seemed more than willing to testify to anything. Not liking the way the trial was proceeding, if it was a trial, as he was being given no opportunity to defend himself, Elder Brown arose and claimed his rights as an American citizen, making as strong a plea as he could in his own behalf, and quoting international law and treaties that came to his mind spontaneously upon the occasion, without his ever having read or heard the same quoted before. The governor and others present seemed to be profoundly impressed by what he said, the result being that with much embarrassment the hearing was closed and he was immediately marched back to his filthy cell. About this time the American consul, W. H. Kelly, having heard of the proceedings, called upon the governor in the interest of Elder Brown, as an American citizen. The governor informed him that the prisoner was a very dangerous as well as a very learned man, thoroughly familiar with international laws and treaties, which he was able to quote from memory, and that he was undoubtedly a military man of no mean ability. Inquiring what he could do for the relief of the prisoner, he was told that he could put up a 50,000 franc bond for the good conduct of the Elder during the remainder of his stay under the jurisdiction of the French protectorate, in which case he might regain his liberty, but that he must leave the protectorate by the first out-going vessel, no more to return on pain of perpetual imprisonment. The consul accordingly put up the bond and Elder Brown was released and turned over to him.