Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-07-25
To 4ae HovosAB1E 4HE LEGISLATURE OF

10 TIE HONORABLE TRE LEGISLATURE OF
IRE Co&MoSwsALTB OF VIRGINIA.
7bc AenoriG!ct Suairy 1fercbanfs, Mechanics and
o.ber inta6ha"ts 81 !6e Gig q Richmond,
SHEWRTH:
THAT there are many Common law courts W HIGH
hold ther sessions in tllc city of Richmond !;
tree courts iii the course of the year require
great many juries, and are thus described
Tne General Court of the Commonwealth.
the Distrid Court of the Commonwealth.
The Circuit Court OF the United States.
The Distri1 Court OF the United States.
The County Court of Henrco.
The Hastings Court of the City Of Richmond.
Upon further examination into the above statement
twill appear that there are more than one hundred
DAYS ia the year wherein iuries may be wanted.
The officers of the oour frequently summon more
than enough for three juries, and sometimes two
OF the aforesaid courts sit upon the same day,
which, considering the population ofthe city, falls
verv heavy some ofthe inhabitants, III so much
that 1t frequently happens that retailers of mer
cha ldizc, and mechanics who employ number
| OF journeymen, and who depend upon their daily
sales for their profits and subsistence, obliged
either TO dlsobey the summons, 70 shu, up their
stores and shops, to commit the care of their
business (and at the most public times too) to
BOYS or inexperienced agents.
When duty is laid upon articles of merchan-
die, or a tax is imposed upon the occupation ola
merchant, every man before he proceeds can calcu
late upon the influence which these burthens will
have uponhis business; but If the same man is fire.
quenty called away to serve upon juries, and is
compelled either to shut Up his store conlide in
inexperienced agents, he cannot form computa-
ton of the injury or disadvantage.
Observations somewhat dssimilar, tho equ-
ponderant IN their tendencies, concerning necha-
mes and others who subsist by labor may also be
made. The poor man, who has means 10 pro-
vide for his own wants the subsistence of his
family, except by his own labor, must feel the
hardship in very high degree. when he is COM
PEELED lose his time in lettering about court
house, wei! knowing that IL ought to be empoyc
! in earning bread for his children.
! These important fa0s, and their influence upon
society and particularly the inhabitants of this Ct
ty are TOO well known TO require greater ilustra-
ton; and il would be indecorous if your Memo
riaiists should employ many arguments or much
entreaty to induce the honorable house to listen
/ 10 their complaint.
Your Mem orialists have been informed, that in
come parts of the United States, it is the custom,
to summon juries some days previous 10 the court
and when cause is about be tried 4 list OF
many names is given 10 n counsel of the parties
each party sttikes out an equal Number untifthe
proper humber remains. In this way impartial
liuries ave certainly obtained.
J. seems TO be the general opinion OF all who
J converse u1ol the subject, thar reasonable com
pensation should be made equal 10 the dali price
oflabor, "a hose persons who are compelled to
serve on iuries.
/ Your Memoria'ists contemplate with great de-
light the inestimable privilege ola iralby jury -
they consider it Of he chartered birth rights
of which they tile interiors, ana which Is far
above price; nor do they inieTld 10 utter an ex-
preston, which shall convey tae smallest discon.
tent IN that respect The sole designof your Me.
moria'istshcrein is 20 sake PLAIN presentation
OF the particular greH ances 10 which they are ex.
lposed, on account of their residing q; the seat OF
government. where iures being SO frequently
wanted they ave Compelled to discharge more
than reasonable share of social duties, and they
cannot help observing, that whatsoever operates
as an undue restriction or oppression upon indus.
try and commerce, which are the great sources OF
national prosperity, must operate as an injury up.
on the whole community.
These important and well acknowledgements
connected with the high confidence which is enter.
tanned OF the wisdom, patriotism and clemency Of
the house, have induced your Memoriaists 20 re.
present the particular hardships by which they
have been oppressed and 10 which they
are still exposed. in the reasonable and confident
hope, that The justice Of the Legislature will AZ.
ford suitable relief, so that your Memorialisis may
enjoy, in equal degree with their fellow citizens
the privileges and blessings of government, 10
the support Of which they largely contribute
And your Memorialists, with all due resrea
and consideration, hunhlv pray, &c. yv4w