Evening star., 1863-04-06
Their Attention is Specially called to tn,
Law to Prevent Frauds on the Govern.
ment and to the Treason Bill.

This morning the Criminal Court organized
in the courtroom, and proceeded to business
There was large attendance of persons hay
ng business with the court, as well as specta-
srs, and the bar was fully represented. A
few moments before II O'Clock, Chief Justice
Carter and Justices Wylie and Fisher fthe lat
ter IS TO preside over the court at its present
SESSION. entered the court room and took their
seats on the bench, when Deputy Marshal
Phillips opened the court in the usual form
The Grand Jury was called, and all but
three answered TO their names. John Mar
bury, jr., was sworn as foreman, and the other
jurors qualified.
Judge Garter delivered the following charge:
GenHemen: You have been selected and sum
noned to appear at this time and place, as the
grand inquest of the District of Columbia 1t
Is the province of the court to give such IN
structions as may aid you in the discharge OF
your duty.
You are aware that by an act of Congress-
approved on the Sd du OF March, 1868, The
Circuit, District, and Criminal Courts hereto
fore existing have been abolished, and in lieu
thereof this the supreme Court of the District
OF Columbia has been es tablished.
The ordinary duties of the Grand Jury in
ordinary times are so plainly specified in the
oath which defines your obligations OF duty,
as TO dispense with the necessity OF comment
! refer You 10 that oath and the laws defining
and Furnishing crimes, and t. the councils of
the District Attorney, to which you are enti.
tied without further instructions upon the
subject.
The present disturbed and anarchal state of
the county has opened facilities for crime
against The Government hitherto unpunished.
The rebe lion which brought on the war has
developed crimes threatening the exist .ace of
the Government, which crimes have recently
been provided against by Congress by penal
statutes sanctioned by high penalties.
The tribunal derives its existence from and
the exercises of its powers under the cons stitu-
tion and laws ofthe United States. Its judges,
officers and attorneys, we allegiance to that
Government, which all glance they have testi-
fled by the official oath they have taken. There
is no higher exercise Of fidelity to the country
than to see that the laws for its preservation
and purity are respected
In pursuance of this duty, I proceed to call
your special attention to the various crimes
mentioned in the act entitled IAN act to pre-
vent and punish frauds upon the Government
ct the United States, approved the I'd day of
March, 1868. l purposely omit all offences
therein forbidden when committed by persons
in the military or naval service, as your in
yestigaions will be chiefly though not wholly
confined to offences under this statnte com.
mitted by persons not in that service, that is to
say civilians
according to the provisions OF that statute all
parsons not military men are liable to indict-
mcnt and punishment who shall commit either
of the folio wing oifenses. Viz:
l. Those who shall make or cause to be made,
or present or cause to be presented for payment
or approval to or by any person or officerin the
civil or military service of the United States,
any claim upon or against the Government OF
the United States, or any Department thereof,
knowing such claim to be false, fictitious or
fraudulent
2. Those who shall flor the purpose of %.
tanning or aiding in Obtaining the appro val or
payment of such clains) make, use, or cause to
be made used, any false bill, receipt, voucher,
entry, roll, account, claim, statement, cert1-
cate, aftidaY Viz, or deposition knowing tn" una
TO contain any false or fraudulent statement or
entry. s-s.
3. Those who shall make or procure 10 b
made, or knowingly advise the making of any
false oath to any fact, statement or certii ate,
voucher or entry, for the purpose OF obttinIng
any approval or pay lnent of aay clam against
the United Srates " any department or Off ,Pr
thereof.
A. Those who for the purpose ot obttinius or
Government of the United States am de-
pal iment OF sfficer thereof aay payment 1r AZ
lowance, or the approval or ~ignarur- IF alY
person in the military, naval or clvl' saryI.as
OF the United SESi"s Of or T. any 81, friu.ill
lent or fictitious clatm 'Ff1iti torgr or cpunt5v
teii. or cause or procure 10 be fargad Sr aGpr-
TER iieit.i, any signature upon any Dill, ra-si,l
voucher, claim, roll, stat neat, q II o. ,,t
position ls.l. 80 H@t.s#E.
Those who shall utter or usa tlI4 sam. ~
true or genotI,t, kHouiu tne ~ -, 10 ave ha4J,i
forged or chr JT.crf,ited., .s='
g. Those who shall, hAve rp'sreS Tu.. ~.
agreement, somiitnatgn or eaAsa rSi, ~
orfranti ti- iTreN srLit. n II
or any GCIart.nr- - - r Ut ma -. IA
ing an,! assis lag 10 oh; ;alE z ia , q n - =.
icWai.crs az .itEy i3t ,; rf.tl lti- - eis.r-.
?. Tho:,. witu suH'l - .>s, a7ab-r1i - klc4.
ngl. End witcui svt,lis lpi'r Si : AFe = aui.