The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-12
From the Alexandra Gazette
GRAND JURY OF ALEXANDRIA COUN.
TY, d. C.
NOVEMBER TERM--l845.
GRAND yURY-ROOM,
ALEXANDRIA,. ID. c.. Nov, 4. l6l5.

GRANp JuRY-RooM, }
ALEXANDRIA, d. c., Nov. 3, l645.
Rtsolred, unanimously That the foreman Of the
grand jury do call upon the Hon. T. Hartley Craw-
ford Judge Of the criminal court for the District of
Columbia, and request him to furnish copy of his
excellent charge, delivered to the grand Jury at the
opening of the court this day, in order that il may
be published in the alexandria Gazette.n
PHINEAS JANNEY, Foreman.
f ALEXANDRIA, Nov. 8, I645.
DEAR SIR: have received the note addressed by
you, as foreman Of the grand jury, to me, enclosing
resolution Of that body, requesting copy Of the
charge delivered to-day.
In accordance with their desire, | enclose yon
copy, and am, with great respect, theirs and your
+. HARTLEY CRAWFORD.
PHisEAs JANNEr, esq, Foreman Of the
Grand Jury of Alexandra, D. c.
CHARGE
Gentlemen Of the Grand jury:
In all rightly-consttutcd governments, the we'll
being of society depends more upon an intelligent
and upright discharge Of duty in courts of justice,
than upon the laws which regulate the transactions
and intercourse of men. The more free and liberal
the institutions Of country, the more true is the
observation. In our land, improvident laws, if such
unfortunately, through haste inadvertence should
be enacted, will soon he corrected by better renec-
ton, the force Of public opinion and may be con-
formed to until this occurs. The decisions Of the
court.house, however, in many instances, are en-
forced presently; and il erroneous may jnlict meal
cuable individual injury.
In criminal courts, especially, II is important to
make sure work. There, il any distinction can be
made, are those who dispense Justice, bound by
stronger obligations than rest upon men in
other official positions, to take care, under the d.
rcction and guidance Of Providence, that they do
no wrong, by misconsiruction of facts or msappli-
cation Of law. There, the performances of duty opc-
rates upon human beings; and precisely in the pro-
portion TO the value and consequence of personal
rights, should be the caution to lay hold only of the
really guilty.
Ofikese courts, the grand jury arc the entrance;
for through their finding alone any one be cali
ed upon TO answer an accusation. This branch OF
criminal tribunals is venerable for its antiquity
admired for the wisdom Of It's constitution and relied
upon as one Of the safeguards Of the innocent. Its
history looks back in England, we know, very near
y one thousand years; and il is remarkable that the
oath which the grand jurors Of that remote day
took, is substantially the same with that which was
but few moments ago administered to you. Few fea-
lures Of the administration Of justice have remained
SO unchanged. Devised in times when, and for
many centuries afterwards, there was no rational
idea Of freedom entertained much less acted on, il
has stood very much in its ancient form, and alto
gether IN its subsistence, the Of those improve
ments IN government, and advances in political sci
ence, which have modified, rsmodeed, abolished,
and supplied almost everything else. This concur
rent sentiment of the longpsst, the intermediate
and present times, affords The best evidence of the
value that has been, il is now, placed upon the
inquiries and opinions of grand jury.
You, gentlemen, will have only the evidences
against the accused. Your province is to ascertain
whether there be sufficient cause TO call upon any
party, who IL charged with the commission OF I
crime, to answer to such accusation. II you think
there is, he will be brought 10 trial, and have the