The republic., 1851-07-12
Local Matters.

| The GARDNER INvEsTIGATIoN-JUD CRAw-
FORD AND THE GRAED JURY.-Itis is generally un-
derstood that the grand jury have, for week past
been engaged in making inquiry into alleged
frauds committed by DIR. Gardner on the late Mex
ican Board of Claims. portion of the testimony
having appeared recently in Philadelphia news
paper, (the Inquirer, we bcIieye,) from is Wash
ington correspondent Judge Crawford on Thurs
day called the attention of the grand jury to the
fact, spoke Of their obligation and dutes and in
dulged in remarks which, it appears, gave offence
10 that body.
Yesterday morning, the grand jury having been
called,
Judge CRAWFORD addressed them, in substance,
as follows; Before you retire, gentlemen. wish to
say that, in conversation with friend last night,
understood that the feelings of some of the grand
jury wounded by the remarks of the court.
On this subject wish to make few observations.
And first, | desire to remove any unpleasant i'm
pressions which may exst in your minds.
In the transaction of the public business it is
quiste that there should be harmony and that good
feeling should exist between the bench and the
grand jury; therefore, think that 1t is the duty of
the court TO prevent and correct the irregularities
which may spring up in the of business.
You know perfectly we'll that the proceedings in
the grand jury room are impenetrable TO every
body except the jurors and several officers of the
law. There are many reasons why the proceed
| ings in the grand jury room should be concealed;
| among others, if they are made known and spread
among the people through the newspapers, the
ends of justice would be defeated, and persons
against whom charges brought would take the
alarm and avoid arrest by running away. When
the newspaper (he Inquirer was presented to
Inc by the district attorney, my first impression
was that the information it contained proceeded
from some member of the grand jury, on account
Of the particularly with which the testimony of one
or two witnesses given. Under this impress
sion spoke to the grand jury as did. My re-
marks were strong very likely, for the improperly
of such revelations was to me apparent What
| did say was in the way OF Instructions il not
| my province to lecture the grand jury What
intended sort of friendly, direction, and de-
mandatory of the act, if it took place, and not of
| the conduct Of any particular person. had no
! right to denounce any particular man. repeat,
il denunciation of the act, and not denun-
citation of any particular individual. Nothing in
the world was farther from my intention than to
cast the slightest imputation upon the grand jury;
and did not
thought that | had set the matter right, but
was informed otherwise. When it was sad that
| the grand jury would make reply. remarked
that it would afford me pleasure to hear it.. But
|
that had nothing TO take back But did not in
tend offence, because understood from the organ
Of the grand jury that the grand jury had nothing
to do with the published statement.
Since the remarks of yesterday, the district attor
| ney informed me that the disclosure of the testi-
mony in question came, not from grand jurors, but
| from witnesses.
1t is exceedingly unpleasant to have any differ
| cnces with gentlemen towards whom it is my duty
and pleasure to behave with courtesy and marked
respect. have always endeavored iQ do so. Upon
the whole, the grand jury, as far asT know, have
not violated any of the propretes Of their Office
The court, gentlemen, regrets that tlaborcd under
a mistake; but the hope is INDUCED that all un-
pleasant feelings will now pass from your minds.
| The grand jury then retired to their room. In
the course of twenty minutes They returned, when
Mr. Gunton, the foreman, said that he had been
requested to state that the explanation of the court
was perfectly satisfactory to the grand jury.
CRIMGAL CouRr.-Hanson Dove was yesterday
tried for assault upon his wife, and found guilty
lie entered the house while in state of intoxica
| tion and threw her down, thereby (the court sup
posed uninientionally) breaking her leg. In con-
sideration of his having been in jail for than
three months, awaiting trial, he fined one dol
lar and is to stand committed until it shall be paid
The trial of Henry Davis aud Elizabeth Davis,
charged with assault and battery, with intent
TO kill, Charles Lucas (who died in the course of
ten days afterwards,) commenced. Mr. Fen
dali appeared for the United States, and Mr. Rad
cliff for the defendants.
EcLIpsE.-All who desire to ace the eclipse of the
moon will remember that it will be first visible in
| Washington at forty two minutes past twelve to-
morrow morning, and will cease in three hours af.
| terwards.
| MILITARY VIsrToBs.-The Telegraph Of yesterday
afternoon says: ''lt is understood the Law Greys,
| Captain France, of Baltimore, accompanied by the
Blues band will visit the Infantry and this city
on the coming 18th of September, and that the two
| companies will encamp near the city for several
days. The Greys will number about one hundred
men including the band, and it is eaid are perfect
in their drill and discipline"
MOUNT VERNoE.-There is to be exhibited at the
National Hall, on Wednesday evening next, a model
Covering the space of one hundred and forty
| square feet) Of Mount Vernon.
SAMUEL BRooKs, the colored man who with
others was injured by the accident at Browns
Hotel buildings on Monday, died on Thursday
night at the Washington Infirmary.
GEORGE c. GRAMMEn, caq, has been unani
mously reelected President of the Patriotic Bank
of this city.
NATIONAL HALL.
TT,HE PROPRIETORS, YALE & BEECHER,
| u would inform the citizens of Washin gton
| Georgetown and Alexandria, that there will be
avh A,tt thnN Naf,o II Hall "A