Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-11-05
senilemcn of the Grand Jury,

Being again assembled for the administration
Of Justice in this County, i, becomes my duty
10 give you in charge the matters 10 which you
are to direct your enquiries.
These are, in general, all crimes and offences
against the laws in force in this par, OF the Dis
,rict of Columbia, which have been committed
in his county, or upon the high seas, If the Of
fender be found in, or shall have been first
brought into the county.
Those laws consist of so much Of the COM
mon law of England as has been found apple
able to the circumstances and civil institutions
of the country, and remains unaltered by the
statute.law, or the constitutions Of Virginia or
the United States; and of that s,atnte-law as IL
existed on the 9th of February, 1901, except
so far as il has been altered or repealed by the
Legislature of the Uni,ed States; end with tn.
further exception, tina, the punishment Of
chimes is to be regulated by the statutes Of Nir-
pinia as they existed before The year 1896, when
the penitentiary system was adopted i" that
State.
Upon this subject, we have reason TO hope
and expect that another session Of Congress
will no, pass. away withoat The enactment OF
criminal code of laws for this District, more
consistent with the dictates - humanity and of
sound policy, than that 10 which we are now
subiect-a code which shall have a tendency 10
prevent The perP>traton, well as ensure the
punishment OF crimes.
In the prevention of crimes, however, little
direct effect can be expected from the laws
Upon this subject, our hopes must mainly rest
upon domestic moral education, and the disuse
. and abandonment, altogether of ardent spirits
You, gentlemen, (msny OF whom have SO OF
ten and so honoraby discharged the duties OF
Grand Jurors,) can bear witness how large
proportion Of the offences, which have come un-
der your cogoizance, nigh, be traced to the
wan, of moral education, and the use of ln'oxi'
eating liquors; especially of rdent spirits, which
are so cheap, aud So highly stimulating, that he
who has once overcome the natural antipathy
n their tas e, can set no bounds to their power
over him. In vain will lie say, so far will go,
and no further. Every drop he takes, dimin
ishes his power OF resistance. No man who
tastes, is safe.
Although il be not in the power OF The laws
10 destroy this source Of crime and sin, yet the
means Of lem pta ion, and The facility of CD sin-
ing he poison, may be, in some degree, dimin-
ished ~ a strict execution Of the existing laws.
TO these must therefore call your attention.
1 am directed by law to give you in ehar ge al
so, The act TO reduce into one the several acts
10 prevent unlawful gaming; an act to amend
the act 10 prevent unlawful gaming; an act Tor
regulating ordinaries and restraint OF tipping
houses; and an act TO amend the act entitled an
&C, TO reduce into one The several acts concern
ing slaves, free negroes and mulattoes.
The terms of your oath, gentlemen, have de-
signa'ed the manner in which your duties are
be diligent, faithful and impartial, and to take
care thar your presentments shall be true; aud
for this purpose it is necessary that you should
have such competent evidence as would be suf-
fcieni, if unconrradicted, 20 convict The party
accused, before peut jury.
Although your oath does not, like the ancient
form, require you to keep secrel your own coun-
sci and that Of The United States, yet you will
perceive the propriety of such course; mas
much as the publicity of your proceedings
might enable off nders to escape, and subject
yourselves, personally, to the malevolence and
revenge OF those whom it may be your duty 10
accuse.
Il necessary that Is of your number should
be present at all your acts and that - at least,
should concur.
With these matters in charge, gentlemen, ,
you may retire to your chamber, to consider ,
he business which may be laid before you. =