Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-09-20
NATIONAL lNTELLIGENCER.
JUDGE CATRoN's CHARGE.

Judge CATRoN, one OF the Associate Judges oil
the Supreme Court Of the United States, on Tues
day last delivered his charge to the Grand Jury
for the Middle District Of Tennessee in relation to
the infractions of the law by those persons who
have engaged in the Cuban movement. We find
the charge in the Nashville Banner. II is very
clear and explicit respecting the law of The land
and the duty of the citizens. We subjoin il
Gentlemen ofthe Grand Jury. From the limited criminal
jurisdiction Of this court and the gratifying fact that moi
often required to exercise that jurisdiction it seldom that
feel ourselves called address the grand upon being
pannsIed except on offences for the commission Of which
parties are in custody But and demonstrators
prominently notorious have escaped general attention,
have been committed in this city, and which acts pro-
fessedy done in violation Of the treaties and laws Of the
United States Our streets have been paraded by military
SIC accompanied with banners for the purpose Of exciting the
vicious the idle the young, and the thoughess to enlist
soldiers for purpose Of invading the Island of Cuba, and
aiding there portion of its population overthrow the pre-
sent Government.
This Island colony Of Spain, and has been governed
by that kingdom since its first conquest from the natives
three hundred and forty years ago. We at peace with
SPAIN and bound by several treaties maintain peace and
Congress has enacted stringent laws observance
of treaties With Spain and other nations. By the act of
1918 it was provided
"Sec O. That if any person shall, within the territory
jurisdiction of the United States, enlist HIMSELF
go beyond the limits jurisdiction Of the United States with
intent to be enlisted entered in the service of any foreign
prince, State, colony, district, people, soldier,
marine board Of any vessel Of let
ter OF marquee prvatee offending shall
be deemed guilty Of high msdemeano and shall be fined
not exceeding thousand dollars and imprisoned not ex
sceeding three years
Sec g. That If any person shall within the territory
jurisdiction of the United States, begin, SGT foot
provide prepare the for any military expedition
enterprise be carried from thence against the territory
doinons Of any foreign prince State, Of colony
person offending shall be deemed guilty Of high INSIDE
mesnor and shall be fined not exceeding three thousand
dollars, and imprisoned not than three years"
In open violation OF this law, large public meeting has
been held this house few weeks snc proessedly
and VIGOROUSLY having for its principal object the raising Of
money by voluntary contributions to equip men and send
them off detailed numbers to be afterwards organized at
New Orleans beyond ere into companies and regiments
and to act in military array, in CONJUNCTION with Others thus
to invade Cuba overthrow its government ard establish
another This done in contempt and open defiance of
treaties with foreign nation with which have much
and deep interest TO maintain peace. In all
relations with Spain for than thirty years. she has fair
y and fully observed the faith of her treaty spulaons with
the United States violate these treaties without
national disgrace On their observance depends honora
idle suppose that other nations will respect institutions
If our Government weak that laws may be disregard
ed pleasure by dsodey and awless mobs that solemn
treaties may be violated foreign consus be driven from the
couny and the subjects of foreign nations residing in
seapo under express treaty spulaons be mobbed and their
property destroyed That such has been the New
Orleans within few weeks past all know. There the
law todden under foot and that is the headquarters
which our people are invited.
the mpeous duty Of the Federal Court and the Dis
tct Attorneys representing the United States in the several
districts to act and to suppress crimes arising under the act Of
1918. If they fail perform this duty, part Of the Gov
eminent little be done by the President as no power
punish with him.
That the President been enabled to enforce the
of 1918, at New Orleans up latest from
there mafest for contradiction there the law stands
unexecuted, and the question for your consideration is
whether here treat dead letter also So far
in the history Of Tennessee deservedy high character has
been maintained for the certainty and with which
have administered and executed the criminal laws, both in
the State and Federal Courts and duty
have always previously done and firmly punish criminals
all those who have done acts that made criminal by the
standing laws.
See who it is that has "began" foot pro-
vided means, prepared the for transportation
when provided, who has transported for
this enterprise of invading Cuba and ndct them The At
torney for the United States will aid you in reducing your
-presentments to the technical form.
The providing Of money of provisions, Of Clothes
or munitions Of war; and the OF troops
boats other vessels all ndctabe, and punishable by
fine Of So 600, and by imprisonment in the Jail
for three years.
The law governing you grand jury is, tina. you may
ndict the knowledge and information Of Of your
body Such is the rule in the State Courts and your power
and duties are the And your especial duty
on the indictments and evidence support them sent up
you by the Attorney Of the United States him devoves
the onerous duty Of causing the laws be executed.
Another circumstance will be brought to your notice. Wit
may be you who will refuse to testify because
their evidence nigh: tend 10 crmnae themselves Against
giving such evidence witness is protected but he is bound
testify against all Others fully and fairly, regardless Of his
opinions wishes the subject; and, should wit
refuse you will report the fact of bis REFUSAL and the
assigned for it, the through your foreman
that the court may decide what extent the witness is
bound answer and how far he sprotec,ed Under other
circumstances will you disclose what is said done in the
jury Should witness state facts that implcae him
SELF dlsregadng consequences your duty disclose
the facts he may s,ate them his prejudice in
any way.
It's proper to remark that although the idea Of invading
Cuba be discouraged just by the reported that
Lopez and bis followers have been tsken Of them
destroyed still, this country has security against
renee Of other attempts similar to that of Lopez and bis