Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-05-27
hciency of col. Burr's causes of chal-

patriotism or moral or political con-
duct of Mr.. Giles. TRUST in his cam
dor and intelligence for concession
that this challenge is not made cause
lesslv to wound his feelings.
Mr.. GILES. If the court please with
respect to exceptions to me personally, ! can
have no objection in itself 20 have them tri-
ed. The court will, however, perceive the
delicate situation TO which shall be reduc-
ed. The Grand Jury will have to inter-
rogate witnesses, and 70 decide upon what !?
Il have no objection to state to the court
every impression have ever had on this
subject /; but as to calling witnesses, who
are to detail loose conversations, which
arc SO apt to be misunderstood, l am really
indisposcd.
MIR. HAY. Twas about to make propo-
sitior, sir, which might relieve us from all
this useless embarrassment-; and which
might at the same time crafty the views
OF the accused. If the gentlemen who are
challenged on the jury will consent to with
draw themselves, l can have no objection.
We may then supply their places
Mr.. BURR. Itwould certainly be a saw
ing of time; and Isassent TO the propositi-
on. The other gentleman, whom / chal-
lenge, is NVilsoa Cary Nicholas.
Mr.. NICHOLAS l desire the objection
TO me may be stated
Mr. BURR. The objection is that he has
entertained bitter personal luminosity
against me; and therefore cannot expect
from him that pure impartiality of mind,
which Is necessary to a correct decision.
feel the delicacv OF my situation; but if
the gentleman will consent to withdraw,
will wave any further enquiry.
ces which had Just occurred, placed him
IN an unpleasant situation That he had
no objection TO disclose, in the usual way,
with candor, the real state of his mind in
relation 10 the accused: but that he had an
objection, to the introduction of witnesses
to prove casual expressions. That in Tic
present state Fittings, expressions might
be imputed to him, which he had never
used, or his expressions actually used,
might be mistaken Or niisrepresented by
the witness or the witnesses own infer
ences from his expressions might be prov
cd, which would not have been justified
by such expressions, Mr.. G.. observed,
that it was by no means agreeable to him
10 be summoned on the grand Jury but
for sometime past, he had invariably pur-
sued this maxim, neither 20 aUoid nor to
solicit any fiutHc GhhsintnIenf but when
called to the o'Scharse of any public duty
by the proper authority, conscientiously to
attempt its execution. That in undertake
ing to serve on the present Grand Jury,
he was influenced by the same considera-
tion. That with respect to his public con-
duct, that he presumed was OF public noto-
riety; that he had not only voted for the
suspension of the privilege of the writ of
Habeas Corpus, in certain CAGES, but had
proposed that measure; that he then
thought, and still thought, it was called
for, and justified by tie evidence before
the Senate; and that he now regretted that
the nation had not energy enough TO sup
port the Senate in that measure that this
opinion was formed upon the state Of evil
dence before the Senate; which in all cues
tons of general nature, is of a very diff
fcrent character from the legal evidence
necessary in aju1icial investigation. That
his mind, he believed, was perfectly free
to receive impressions from judicial evil
dence. That in relation to the accused,
he felt very DESTROYS, and had often 50 e2,-
pressed himself, that the various transac-
lions imputed to him, should undergo full
and fair judicial investigation and that
through that medium, they should receive
their just and true character, whatever
that character in point OF fact might be
N.s-~i@N-0
world. That he had no personal resent
ment towards the accused and If the ac-
cused had received any information incon-
sistent with this statement, it was not true.
However, as il was left to him tn elect whe-
Their he would serve on the Grand Jury or
not, he should certainly withdraw.
Col. Burr said he must be pardoncd for
supposing that this effort of the gentleman
to divest himself of all prepossessions was
above human nature. He believed he had,
as much as any man could have under such
circumstances, pure mind above bias.
But this particular fact of having in his
public character formed a decisive opinion
upon his conduct, must render him unquali-
lied to serve upon the jury. He declared
u Mr.. Giles was the last man on whom
&c would wish to cast any reflections.
= The second gentleman to whom 1
shall object is col. Wilson Cary Nicholas.
That gentleman feels towards me a per-
sopal enmity sufficiently strong, ] pre-
sumo, to blind the judgment Of the wisest
of men.
Col Wilson c. Nicholas rose and adj
dressed the court as follows:
My being in this situation, certainly was
not thing of choice. When I was sum-
moned by the Marshal, I urged him, in
the strongest manner, TO excuse me.
! mentioned to him, that it would be ex-
tremely inconvenient TO me TO attend the
court, aud that it would be very unplea-
can't IN ~, he t,,,.,, ocrc,,~e 81.