Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-21
cUr.poURlNGs OF THE sp1Rrr

The following Introductory remarks were
delivered BY Judge Brockenbrough, to the
Grand Jury, at Superior Court held for
the county OF Henrico. at the Capitol IN thi,
city, on Monday the 12.h inst.
Gentlemen ofthe Grand Jury--
"A few weeks past it seemed doubtf,, ,vh..
Their It would have been in INV poverfo
have met you here atithis time and On this
occasion. The prospect of an immediate
invasion OF the Capital of this Com,non.
wealth, oy an enemy, not only powerful. but
barbarous in his mode of CONDUCTING hosiili.
nes against this nation, was indeed e,oou,v
It seemed as if the fate which had hefa,lsr
the capital OF the United States. also await
ed Us. But thanks to the energy If the
Chief Magistrate, and to the noble spirit Of
the volunteers OF Virginia, this disgrace has
not yet bafalien Us. The conduct OF our bre.
thren IN arms on the late emergency. cannon
De TOO highly, commended. As soon az IN,
Executive proclaimed to the militia Of eur
STATE that the capital wasin danger, thou.
sanus OF ner sons rushed TO the standard of
their Country. Their patriotism was ad
dressed, and with ardor they pressed into
the service. Although their absence from
their homes must have been attended with
numerous privations, although the fame of
the warriors with whom they would proba
Oily Contend had spread far and wide. altbo,
they we're unframed in the arts of war. and
their adversaries had made il their Z, adj.
yet neither discouraged, nor appalled,. they
tnstantansously fed to the succour IF th.;,.
beioved country. In two weeks after tha ;,.
vitation was first held out to them. sucbs
numbers had crowded to the tented field. that
she commander in chief was under the ne.
eesnty OF aeating their ardor to those who
ATM pressed forward he was compelled TO
say" Stopi your Country is safe, reserve
!or announcer occasion, the display Of your va
LOT and love OF country" This single fact
speaks volumes; proves that in the rnost
eaiamitons times, the fidelity of our people
may be relied on it proves that in Amer;
ca, Representative democracy j. a,ntIv snf
hcient for all the purposes of government
that here We sfsnd not in need Of KINGS ~.
nebies to defend the country against the mosT
overwhelming tocss and That nc foreien al
- necessary to protect the country. and pre
serve her Independence, Whence ar;se.th;.
noble ardGr, and this devotion to their conn.
tryf Unques.ionaby it proceeds from tina,
happiness which our ,-.ople enjoy under our
et -.nS'.'ution They kn, Nv that the laws
made by themselves are suited to sseir stu.
alton that they have no unnecessary our
thens imposed on ihem--fhat their laws arr,
faithfully executed and impartially admins
tered' This spirit thus manifested. proves
nnequivocsliy that however we. may be har.
ased, and vexed and injured by an enemy
having the advantage over us 10 ships. in
norey, IN men, in discipline and in the ba,
bits OF war, yet thss we are not to be con.
qucred.
You will be pleased, Gentlemen. 20 pardon
this deviaiionirom the usual course pursue |
by the Judges in the commencement of the
sessions OF the criminal courts. know il |
IS my auty 70 bring to your view those penal
laws of the commonwealth. the breach If
which, tends to the destruction Of the FOOD
order, tho peace and happiness of the com
monity bat could not forbear seiziny this
occasion TO express my gratitude to the brave
plen whose zeal has saved the capital from
disgrace, and who will, trust, preserve
every other town In the commonwealth from
oaunon OF sas nivadera Eng.