Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-14
SUPREMACY OF THE LAW INDICATED.

SUPREMACY OF THE LAW INDICATED.
We have pleasure in disseminating, through the
medium of our columns, the sound principles en-
bodied in the following response of the Grand Jury
in the District Court Of the United States for the
district of INDIANA TO the charge of the Judge pre-
scented by the Foreman DR.. DAVIS, formerly Speaker
of the House of Representatives of the United
States, and recently Commissioner from this Gov
eminent to China:
Response 9Th Grand jury of the United States
Court for the District of Indiana TO the charge of Judge
Huntington.
The Grand Jurors Of the United States Dsrs Court hay-
ing had their attention called violations of The fugitive
slave law by charge from the Judge at the Opening of the
present term Of the court presented the following report,
which was read and ordered to be published.
proper to say that the report unanimously made
and that almost every and section Of the State were rep
resented in that body:
The undersigned Grand Jurors of the United States Court
for the district Of Indiana, feel it be their duty 10 respond
the elaborate charge given to them by the court upon the
subject of the fugitive slave law and to say that thew u
dose the sentiments and views therein expressed No overt
act has been brought the notice of the Jury upon which to
frame an indictment for violations Of this law but acts of
public notorety breathing strong dsacon and opposition
this law, have been committed by small bodies OF persons
in several instances within this district is however
well ascerained that the number Of those expressing their OBJ
position to the enforcement Of the law to very
small portion Of population, and il is believed that no Sc
ous resistance this any other law Of Congress to
be apprehended within this State any violations Of this
provision Of Congress- any other that competent for
to notice. had been brought the attention Of this body in
proper FORM they would have been promptly ,epored to the
in the form Of indictment and doubt not that
subsequent jures will feel like obligation, and act with
promPness and fidelity in taking the initiative towards pun
hing offenders Of every character against the laws Of the
General Government
Every prudent effort and digent inquiry has been made
ascertain whether any violations Of the fugitive slave law
have been committed within this State and were found
sufficiently unequivoca in their language the find
ing Of BILL that could with reasonable certainty be sus
tanned but has, nevertheless been the ardent desire Of the
jury vndcate the law, and procure The proper punishment
Of all those who violate its enactments We feel assured
that the courts Of this portion of the country sound all
the principles of integrity and justice and that the rights Of
the citizens Of every portion OF the United States may with
propety and safety DE committed to their investigation and
decision We feel also assured that the great body
citizens of every section and every party order-ovng
and awabdng people, strongly attached the Constitu
ton, to the Unon and to the laws and will by all moral
well as by all legal MEANS sustain the compromises of the
FIRST the pemanence Of the second and the epaetments of
the third And feel further assured that every act whe
Their of of open resistance to the laws f un
happily there should be any within the jurisdiction Of this
court) will be promptly rebuked by public opinion, and
promptly and sngenty punished by this tribunal the laws
OF the land will permit.
The rights Of every State and Territory in this Confedera
cy, and the rights Of each and all Of their citizens ought be-
and well secured in all the departments Of justice in
Indiana the rights of the inhabitants of State.
No vitated condition Of public opinion expressed by
few, who have mistaken bigoty for philanthropy in the
least corrupt the fountains of justice disturb the wese
tied purpose Of citizens preserve nvioate all their obi
cations to their brethren of every section Of the Union
1t is part Of the object of the undersigned infringe
upon restrict the rights Of the citizen express peace
able and becoming his opposition any public mea
wherein be may feel aggreved admitting that such
expression Of opinion may be the result of misconcepon
dstempered imagination; but under all the circumstances,
feel to be duty to nculcae submission to the
sutona powers Of Congress- and to those who would
wfuy trampe under foot the laws Of the Government and
conemn its authority that such cannot be pursued
with mpuniy and invoke all good citizens Of the State
join in condenning the wrong by all moral MEANS and
assist in unfolding the supremacy Of the laws all hazards
JOHN W. DAVIS, Foreman.
WILLIAM WATT,
'..' JOHN DIXON, "
J. s. HARVEY,
.. WILLIAM M. ALBIN,
\ G. 8. RAMSAY, ~.
WILLIAM DAVIS,
G. NORWOOD,
VIM. 8. Il. MORTEN, E..":
BENJAMIN MCCARTHY,
GEORGE DAyELIN,
.... ROBERT w. SILL, VS.
JACOB HUBBARD,
HIRAM TOWSLEY,
w. M REYBURN.
AZ % IoEn