The Sun.
London, England, 1821-06-20 00:00:00

CHIEF BARON O'GRADY.

The Nintb Report of the Commissioners of In-
quiry into the Law Courts of Ireland charges the
Lord. Chief Baron O'G RADA, with having in-
creased the fees in his Court since his,bppoint-
ment. A letter on the subject from his Lordship
to Mr. GREGORY, Under Secretary to the Lona
LiEUTENANT of Ireland, has lx,en pcinted by
order of the llouse of Commons. It enters into
an explanation of all the charges, and. contends
that he has done nothing but what was perfectly
justifiable by law and usage. It is of great length,
occupying 25 folio pages. The following is an
extract :

" It will be observed, that. I have heen obliged to .extend my
obiervations beyond.theseccipt of my fees, or tht logality of
them. I have been obliged to discuss the.general conduct of
the Court of Exchequer, in its distribution .of time, in its
general regulations, and in the management tad ,lispatch
of its business. My conduct has been contrasted with that of
my predecessor, and with the several Courts 'of Chancery,
King's Bench, and Co ninon Pleas. I have entered into this
comparison with reluctance, and have not One a point
further in it than I was compelled to ko. I have candidly
given all the information Which it was in my power to supply,
and I did so already upon my examination, as far forth as the
Com Missioners thought proper' to interrogate me. I have
explained my acts, and defended My- motives. 1 have en-
dured this scrutiny, without once stopping 'to inquire, whether
such a general review, either of myself, or of the Court in
which I have the honour to preside, was within the intention of
those under whose advice the Commissioners were 'appointed,
or within the scope and authority of the Comrnis-sion under
which they have acted.

1.. "If it is intended by them to ccr.trast my abilities or lean_. ing, either with the living or the dead, of Whom mention has
been made, I must shrink with unfeigned humility from the
comparison; but if it extends. no farther than attention arid fi-
delity in the discharge of public duties, antL'a distinterested
zeal for the benefit of the King, and the good of his jieoplo, it is
but manly to avow, that I feel, in the conscious integ:ity of my
own heart, sufficient to uphold rile.
When imputations are cast upon a man in private life, he-
often tines it most p;udent to. submit in silence, and leave
to time the vindicaiienyof character.. I have ofteii done
so. The well-irnOwn nrofives* -; t,l :lie accusers,
frequnntly afford an ar,titlote to the thev endeivour
to instil. I hz,ve had my shar,i (- ;,hut none of
t'anse observatlo,ns are apylicahlc: tj I a 0CCf..5204. . The
imputations, for sorb I reel them to , Cast upon my judi-
cial character and t.racetd from hoi.o- -. rile.n who, like
mys-lf, are acing. as tlie.y co.aceivc in disi.Nage of a great
public duty. Their imputions become the Moz,..e.oppressive,
in prOportion to the reluctance with which they appear to be
expressed. NiThat they cat.not justify they excuse. ,This well_
intended lenity aggrr.vat e;.large. •
" It has therefore become mybountlen duty, if, pczible, to
tli.;ahtuicboth them and ii r, and to vindicate theiclig,h
characters to whose 2 ::-pinon, t,he.iitst insta,nce, I
one my promotioi., <_:l .to the Bcr.ch ; prornetier.s
which were never
" The character of a *, not hie cx:lusive property- ; rt
equally belongs to to c and taerefine \in
advocatiag that el, T I • their ..most
I ights ; and in i maint4ning the purity
of the law, and ti;ic whizh snould alwe.ys attend the I,*c
neral administration o; joetiee. •
"'There is a rie,lce of di-iprs...,ity which correct:; its:-2f, by
the rein oval of the tulge *44 deprncato that miC:dle.course
which tarnishes his honour, and yet leaves him to linger in
the seAt of justice ; which eonsigns Jhire to a sort of su(ii,iat
purgatory, ,suspect:-.d, hut not cor_dennied ; too, had to be
tfusted, and not b:ot erpUii-,h to be removed. This left'..liantled
course; I apprehend, E.;-t-14,-Ls a vital blow at the- independence
of tbeJudg.:43, the seeuriv of the Ciown, aria the liberty and
happinc::s of the people.