Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-06-09
FAIRFAX CIRCUIT COURT.

FAIRFAX CIRCUIT COURT.
CORRESPONDENCE of the Alexandria Gazette:(
FAIRFAX G. H., June S.-The June term
of the Circuit Court convened here on Monday,
His Honor, Judge H. w Thomas presiding.
The week has been spent in the hearing OF
causes of 60 public interest Many Of the old
cases, which have been lying dormant Tor i've
wears, were called, frequently exciting tie Won
der of the counsel whose names were marked
to them, to know what secrets lulked 10 the
dusty records, whose history from long desue-
tudc, had slipped their memories, now throDg-
inc with SO many more stirring ASSOCIATION
than the dull and prosy scenes OF "Chancery
Lane
1t was Il melancholy thing, that calling OF
the old Docket" Many, very many of The
litigants who, five years ago, were eagerly strl.
wing to acquire or retain the goods OF earth"
had gone to that country where there Is 10
more toIing and contention about the droSs
we worship here where the petty strife OF
man with man forever ceases !; where shcriits
ard bailiifs do rot threaten, nor lawyers cajoie
Some Of the suits went off the dockct-as the
parties to them had donc--at the sad 'suggcs-
ton of death. Many Of the lawyers, too,
whose names were marked to the cases who
once were, wont to lay down the law to listen
ing uries, and judges, had, meantime, them
selves gone to answer the deeds done in the
BODY at the great Tribunal where all finally
apDcar They have ceased from their lab0ts :
the fine Of their fires, the recovery ct their re.
coveries is reached and with tie order to EN-
ploy new COUNSEL their names disappear lor-
ever fromthe records OF men!
DEGREES were taken in many eases, however,
and reports Of Commissioners ordered, under
| which there will be much fine land offered for
sale during the sumner The discretion vas
usually allowed the Commissioners Of selling al
public or private sale: and using their own
time, so as to prevent the sacrificing Of l5nds
in time Of little demand.
The matter Of most public interest was the
Charge Of Judge Thomaf to the Grand jury
recent events considered. ard the still agita
ted condition Of our country. In regard 70 the
usual duties of Grand Juries the Judges re-
marks were 10 substance the same made at the
opening OF the Alexandria Court. They cvinc
cd desire and Determination 20 see CIVIL Law
restored and upheld He reminded the Jurors
Of the changed condition Of ouv society, and
the necessity of conforming to it, andrcma1kcd
that however they might deplore the lact, Or
disapprove OF the manner in which it was &C
complished, it was COW their duty 10 meet it
honorably and justly, to protect all persons
black and white, in their rights Of Ifs, liberty
and property, however and wEcucver they
were assailed ...+
The Judge also spoke Of tic necessity OF an
Independent Judiciary. Inview CT tho recent
| military interference in Alexandria, his re-
marks were pertinct as slowinga Gc:crmlua-
ton on his part not to submit except 'on
compulsion" to any unlawful and uncons:itu-
tional interference with pcgogative which it
has always been the object of our laws TO make
independent Of and superior to military or po-
litical power as the surcst guaranty Of the lib
crty Of the country.
The Grand Jury found five Bills Of lndc!-
ment only-showing that we arc not very
"criminally" incliled. Oac Was for luurEscr-
one for assault with ftlonieas intent-lhe other
three for larcency. D. W. Lewis resigned his
Office as Commissioner in Chancciy and Thos.
Moore and NJ D. Ballquallied US Commission
ers The larceny cases we're northumberland
Bench Warrants issued 10 the Others the &C.
cused being both at large. Next week Judge
Meredith relieves Judge Thomas in order to
try some cases in which Judge I. had been III
terested before his appointment, and among
them, one involving title to valuable farm in
Loudoun, report says, will draw to its trial.
VIM Green, Henry A. Wise, j. Randolph
Tucker, and other distinguished lawyers-of
that anon. PEQUoD.
p. S.-One of the larcency cases, that Of
0. Council, for stealing six head Of cattle, from
Willis Henderson, in October last, was taken
up to-day, and tried 1t was argued at length
by Beach and Edwards for the defense and
Dulany, ard George Tucker for commonwealth
The Jury found 4 verdict Of guilty, and fixed
the term Of Imprisonment at two yeas AID six
months The Court adjourned till Tuesday,
when Judge Meredith will preside. L.
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