New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-25


and the following gentlemen answered;
CHARLES GOULD, Foreman.
RoHRRr P,Gs JOIN BUCKLEY, IT,,
JOIN H. BRowy1ys GILBERT C. DIANE.
AsSsT n BEy FnShcl $ p FGSSSin,
H.GRIcE HIiGER MosEs A. HoPPock
Il. JOHNSON, JOsRFH IEGGErT,
EDwIS Il. LIvERSoRE, JOHs II. RSpTELD,
Saw SAMUEL Si T T sklDxoKB, JoHs +. sEsNAS,
HUBBARD G. STONE, SAMUEL THOMPSON
WILLIAM USDERAILL, GEO. y. WHITFIELD.
The Grand Jury were then addressed by Judge
Belts as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRASD jury: You are not
called together at this time fol he discharge OF the
ordinary routine of the duty of Grand Jurors. will,
therefore be unnecessary that the Court should ad
dress you those topics You are convened IN sol
emn crisis of national affairs important ee-
ment of the public force, TO render AID In preventing
the Republic receiving harm from open enemies, or
persons practiCng in secret against the steiy ana
peace of the Government. Your fellow citiEeps called
from all avocatiOns Of life, neighbors, kincrci,
brothers aud sons at the national appeal rapidly
mastering and Fastening to the battlefelds bravely
aud freely peril their lives in support OF the vol-
cssion Of the Constitution and laws Of our common
country openly assailed by hostile armies.
Your ministry, gentlemen although necessarily OF
calm and peaceful character l. only second IN imPor
lance to military power in checking and counteracting
these heinous crimes set foot against the peace and
existence of Government, and the property ana lives
of the people. The most atrocious Of national oenes
are treason and PIRACY the latter involving war
against all mankind equally with hostility against the
country to which the offenders allegiance snd
concommitant treason, the lesser but yet heiuons
crime of misprison Of treason. The latter Is Only
second to treason in being negative IN Its cEarncer' "a
willfully emitting to do what the duty of faithful
citizen requires lie should do for the safety OF LIS
country
Our Constitution declares treason TO consist 10
evyng war against the United States, or IN adbeng
70 their enemies, giving them aid comfort" The
law tie penalty Of death against every one
convicted Of the oiense in any particular OF Its deih
fion or description. Piracy consists in forcbe cap
sure or robbery the high Of any vessel OF her
lading by vessel or her company, not authorized by
n lawful commission from our Government, and organ
lied and acting under the law Of nations and Is pun
ishabe by death any tribunal of all countries where
the ofEense is tlable.
Two witnesses to overt acts of treason are necessary
90 convict Of the high crime or confession by The &C.
cused IA open Court His admission Of acts done by
him. made in writing or verbally, are legal evijence,
and become, in Judgment OF law, tantamount to the
testimony of two witnesses. Giving aid or comfort 10
the enemies of the country consists IN furnishing me
military supplies food clothing harbor, conceal
ment, or communicating Information to then helping
their hosthiies against the country and Its Govern
nent.
Ieyoid any explanation Of the particular rules and
doctrines of law applicable to these olenses, they
are pertinent TO be given 10 petit Jurors WHEN
the before the Court upon ell It's merits.
now with to lay before YOU in comprehensive and
distinct FORM the definitions Of the ofenses to which
your attention may be called.
1t is most probable that complaints will be laid be-
fore you under this branch and definition Of the crime
w rlln IL lncluQtu dClb
any way fitting out or yctuGng vessels to aid the
hoStes Of enemies; sending provisions, arms, or
other supplies to them, raising funds or obtaining
credit for their service; indeed every taitorous pur
pose manifested BY acts committed In this district by
persons owing allegiance TO the country, will be acts
of treason. 1t is necessary that the accused should
have raised created by his own acts; ne levies
war by acting with those who have set it on foot or
by sezing holding Ports or like acc OF hostile g-
Rressi0n.
1he Kindred crime of nisprison Of treason is this If
4 oil To ba h1g
knowledge of acts Of treason committed by others
within the jurisdiction of the court and does not make
IL known to the President Of the United States,
of the Judges of ths United States the Governor
of the State, a Judge magistrate thereof he be-
comes guilty Of misprson OF treason, and subject TO
years imprisonment and fine OF u, 900 for the
oense aud is the duy of the Grand Jury to present
for trial therefor such offender, whatever may be lis
individual connection or relationship with the offender.
The belief of individuals in the right Of resisting
Government, either individually or BY Sates, on the
claim Of secession otherwise from the authority OF
the Government, affords justification or pallIdlon
| Of the crime Secession however effected or sane
toned, is under Constitution and laws, nothing
other than rebellion. You perceive in this slight
sketch, gentlemen OF the Jury, what vigorous pro-
visions your laws have adopted for the protection of
the Government and people from the preparation OF
crimes Of such magnitude, and how important TO the
well being Of society IL is that your high functions in
discovering and thwarng them should be fearle sly
land vigorously exercised. The Court will supply you
with every aid the law affords TO further and facilitate
1.-THE performance Of your great trust, and VIII you may
Ibe assured not fail it's part to enforce vigorously
THE law against those you may present us having yio-
Hated il.
You are, however aware, gentlemen, that hyeiy
tdstrusts and approximations agiate the puthc mind,
and you will be cautious TO discriminate, IN the
icharges laid before you between those resting ON
solid foundation Of facts and those which may be
colored through overzea of accusers rest essen-
TALLY suspicious and approximations only when the
community Is highly exasperated and excited are
prone to exaggerte statements and surmises against
persons suspected Of crimes. While the citizen what
ever his personal consideration OF worth may be-
should be held sticty responsible for every act done
in violation of the law, it is right which should be
racYedly preserved to him that be should not be ex
posed in life character 10 the hazards Of crimi
al accusation and trial. unless the Grand Jury are
clearly satisfied there 10 reasonable proof of his quilt
In performing these trusts, gen lemen, you are
AWARE OF your general powers. You are probably
more familiar with their exercise In State than in
National Courts. They concurrent In both Courts
you arc aware Of the power of State grand jures in
eng furnished with the means Of obtaining evidence
"a having testimony duly qualified and also of the
nanDer in which the deliberations should De conducted.
he general outline Of the oath under which yon are
ualtsd viii instruct you 10 the duties you are bound
observe. You must keep secret all your proceedings
are not 70 promugsie them in your families or IN