Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-05-16
Rtcunnxn- An1ills. 1913.

quest that Judge Nicholas VIII iurhsh copy ol MS aoe
charge 10 them for publication.
a. PLEASANTS, Foreman.
RlcuMoyD, April Is, 1913.
Dear Sir: received year communication OF yester'
day. which your request on behalf OF the Grand jury
tina, would furnish copy of the charge that day deli
yered 10 them for publication. Whilst appreciate pro-
perly this evidence Of the appreciation OF the body over
which you PRESIDE am fearful that the la',esing terms
in which you speak OF the address delivered, are more
10 be attributed the kindness Of your feelings, than
it's own intrinsic ;acs-rc5haps II may do some good
in detail of the duties Of Grand Jurors and may
attract the pubic Intention topics ~ which every IA
Their of family and indeed, every welldsposed citizen
has deep Concern at any rate do 10, feel al liberty
10 refuse compliance with the request of the jury aud
send you, enclosed, the charge delivered by me. Be
pleased accep. yourss and fer your associates IN
the jury, the OF 'ay respectful considerations
z. \. NICHOLAS.
A PLEAsASrs, Esq, Foreman, &c &c.
Gentlemen If the Grand Jury
The most nporsa, objects Cor which civil! societies
are formed are the preservation Of the pablo peace and
tranquility and he security o; Individuals in their per
and property Opposed to the attainment OF these
results essential pubic aud private happiness and
welfare, are the passions ard the Wees which uniortu-
natey found to exs, in greater less degree, in
all civil associations. 10 guard against the effects OF
these passions aad these vices every well regulated 60
yernment is compelled 10 establish code of penal laws
TO protect itself anG lis CltZens against TIE Cupuy
which mpels the idle ard dissou,e TO prey upon the
property Of the industrious and we!! disposed, and 10
secure the persons Of the orderly and peaceabie from
the outrages and violence which are inflicted by men
regardless of social duty and destitute OF the common
feelings OF humanity. ic accomplish purposes
sental, law gvers necessarily engaged IN rani-
ing such they deem calculated ~ repress crime and
restrain vice aud immortality bat 10 vain do they legs
late unless the and urcs who called upon
administer these laws, execute heIn not under the
,nAu pf
cool discrimination and an impartial frmness
You convened, gentlemen 10 enquire dellberate y
and carefully, whether any offences have been commit
ted within the limits Of your jurisdiction, which should
be made amenable TO the laws Upon your action, IN
a great degree, depends, whether, within the limits o
your authority, shall be secure in the pursuits o
honest industry in their persons, and IN the property
they have lawfully acquired; or whether crime and I'M
morality shall b encouraged by IMMUNITY, and the per
perators of them permitted TO set the law al defiance
feel persuaded that the nature and importance OF your
functions will afford sufficient motive TO you, as con
slderate men, having deep stake IN the community
and regarding the his % others for the energetic dts
charge of the duties of the responsible situation IN
which you placed. Bu. you have other and still
higher motives You have just taken the face of your
country oath, not only 10 discharge your duties, bu
TO do SO in manner and spirit hich will render
what YOU do all sufficient os the purposes for which
you are called together The terms OF that oath are
more emphatic, clearer, and more distinct, than any
thing which this Court endeavor 10 impress o,
your minds. would request you TO read and ponder i
we'll in your retirement, and you Will find that you have
given solemn pledge, which you are bound by you
duty citizens, aud by what you owe 10 your owl
consciences, to redeem.
Whilst the Court represents to the Grand jury ths
proprety of their presenting such as they deem guilty
that the charges against them may undergo Judicial
investigations it would recommend 10 them the OBJ
servance Of another daty Which Their oath nculcotes
which less sacred and mere agreeable in It's per
formance--that is, guard the innocent from cause
less accusation, and from charges which stimulated
by malice, hatred, or wIll. The Grand Jury IS de
signed TO be shield 10 the innocent, though they
be terror TO the guilty.
Entertaining no doubt as the impartiality, vel
as energy, with which you will discharge your impor-
tant functions now proceed to enquire INTO the range
and extent OF your powers and jurisdiction
The act organizing the Circuit Superior Court Q
Law and Chancery, Ge caIes that they, us Courts o
common law, shall have power TO near aud determine
all treasons, murders, elones and other crimes
misdemeanors committed within their respective jU.s
dctons except such are, may be made excluslvel,
copnizabe in some other Court, by express statute. =
To give this Court jurisdiction, the offence mus, b,
committed either within the county OF Henrico, or thu
city of Richmond, according to the provision OF the &C
Of Assembly, which created this Court Tor The us
Circuit. This Court has jurisdiction IN all crimes ant
Offences of whatsoever GRADE, from treason down TO
simple assault any n:sdeme nor, except some small
Offences the cognzancc OF which IS given to inferior
tribunals, and magistra,es-of this description, are
violations of the penal laws where the offender is sub
jected to a less fine than FIVE dollars
Since the establishment of the Government of The
United States, there may be treason against that Go
vernment, which is defined in The Constitution of the
United States, and Is cogaiZable in its Courts. But
the treason spoken Of IN acts of Assembly, is
son against the Stae-:or, notwithstanding the cstab
lishment Of the Federal Government, the States
their sovereignty, and i: against that the
directed, which is punishable in our State tribunals
Our law declares sthat If man do levy sgains,
the Common wealth in the seme be adheren, the
enemies OF the Commonwealth within the same, Civ.
ing 10 them aid and comfor, in The Commonwealth oil
else where and thereof be legally convicted of open
deed by the evidence Of t&o sufficient and lawful wit
nesses, or his own voluntary confession, the cases
above rehearsed shall be adodged treason, which
tepdeth 10 the ComnoHwe alth-and the person con
yc'ed, and his, or her alde!s, abettors and counsel