The New York herald., 1866-05-10
THE COURT THAT TRIES JEFF DAVIS.

The Asscmblage NJ Norfolk, Va.-Judge
Underwood Presiding In the Absenco OF
Judge Chasc-A Jury paneled-
Charge toiThcm by tho Judge-Trenson
TO he Puntshed-An Indictment for
Treason Against JEFF Davis 20 be Filed,
Sc, Sc.
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENTS.
FORTRESS MoEnoK May s. 1886.
The United States Circuit Court for virgnia has at
ength nauguratcd its labors. The Court to have
opened yesterday, but Judge Underwood failed arrive
till this morning At noon he opened the court at Nor
folk IN the old court in tho City HAIL. but quorum
Of the Grand Jury not being in attendance adjourn
ment took place till halfpas three o'clock Al the lat
ter session twenty Of the jury Of the quorum
required, answered to their Tho following are
the names OF the jurors
j. r. Bigelow OF Alexandria; Isaac Snowden OF Fair
fax; John Taylor, Of Alexandria; Dillingham; of Fair
fax; George G. Hens, ID. H0dgkns l.. u. Harmon C.
w. Nowland, OF Alexandria, y. Deeordy Geo. W. Sinrle-
tom John 7. Daniels, John H. Borume VIM. G. webber,
Q. X. Cole. VIM. Harrison, OF Norfolk; VIM N. Tinsley,
VIM Fay, Burnham Wardwell, T. Dudley, Jr., Burnham
DAVIS Of Richmond
The Judge appointed Mr.. Gilncham foreman and
thereupon Mr. VIM. H. Barry, the clerk, administered to
them the usual oathsthat is oath through
malice against any person presented for Indictment and
the other that they had aided the slightest degree
the rebel in the late war; and would support the
Judges charge to the jury Most clearly and pontody
were set forth the duties of those TO whom IL
addressed interpreted by the Judge. After referring
to the absence of Chief Justice Chase, upon whom he
would have greatly preferred had fallen the task of
instructing them in the line OF their duties, he
described the changes that had been effected
by the war in the administration Of justice and the
usual crimes such and dsloyaity, they
compelled to adjudicate upon. In this connection
he advcrted his charge TO the Grand Jury preceding
them and would not repeat himself now bel ewing they
all knew the sentiments he had then expressed. But
since then peace had been declared and the writ of
fabeas corpus had been restored Recently President
Johnson expressed a desire that not such subor-
dinates as wirz should be brought to punish
ment for treason but the head traitors. It was
against these leading offenders he would have them act
and punih the principals and not the tools. 1t had
been determined that such offenders be tried in
Virginia AT the North there had been much complaint
of the tardlness shown in bringing them TO trial The
delay had been unavoidable. There was no need Of
further delay, and he hoped the time had when
would be shown here that treason held a crime
and mertng the highest punishment He urged that
sded with the rebellion, and took up arms
to aid it, could be held accountable for treason
here as at the North In proof OF this he drew para
lei between the First Congressional district Of Virginia
and the State Of Rhode Island Though the former had
given birth to four Presidents OF the United States and
possessed twice the Of Rhode Island has not
the the wealth and intelligence. In nineteen
ties Of the district there not paper published and
three fourths OF the men and women could not read
aud write. This degree Of ignorance he traced
to slavery Those who had imposed upon the
credulity and ignorance OF the masses IN melting them
to rebellion against the government he would have pun
ished There was no obstacle now in the way he IN
sisted Of bringing indictments against all the leaders in
this rebellion the parocd prisoners well the
paroied He enjoned that they should remember their
S a s'TS Their ana fidelity Dns sm
enemies, might lead to their being murderously
assaulted as had l been number Der . OF the jury
Lincoln the maryrdom OF Jesus Christ. for duty DONE
vastly preferable to few years added life Of igno
bic he spoke at length Of the rights OF freedmen
and charged rights Of person and property
should be accorded to them and the hearing and
eo Of IN dsoya so came in % for
a portion of his charge 1t his view that
they could do but little harm Their circula'ions
they should be nterfered with by the the
military done In conclusion, he referred TO
the duties OF the jury In connection with violations or
the and postal laws and in counterfeng The
charge ended the jury discharged till ten O'Clock
tomorrow morning II Is thought tlat the present
days Judge Underwood announced that he thought
Justice haso would be in attendance TO preside IN the
Of month II Is confidently believed that this
jury will bring In bills of Indictment against Jer
Davis and the most ncn leaders and generals ON
the rebel side during the late war;
iSQuIsITroS TOUCHING THE NORFOLK RIOTS.
The military commission convened In Norfolk, by
order of Lieutenant General Grant, to ascertain the facts
connected with the difficulties growing out OF the pro-
OF freedmen few weeks since To celebrate the
passage of the Civil Rights bill, has entered with good
invest cation promises to be lengthy one and the est
mony volumnous The commission has the authority "
summon all persons whose evidence may be required
Brevet Brigader General II 7. Burton, Colonel Of the
Fifth United States artillery. and commandant OF this
post President Of the board. HIS high character
soldier and gentleman give guarantee that the nqu!ston
as directed by him will certainly b, most thorough aud
impartial Major Lyman Bssell, Eleventh United
States infantry, and Captain d. NJ. Vance, OF
the same regiment, constitute the other men,
bers OF the board. The sessions with
closed DOORS and the result will not be promulgated
until made known through army headquarters The
place of meeting Brevet Major Stanhopc's head.
auarters the post commander Norfolk In view of
the conflicting statements published regarding this AFFAIR
and the OF lives attending IT, an unusual degree OF
interest attaches 10 this examination. The pubo may
rest assured that the facts will be thoroughly sfted and
the blame be made rest where IL belongs
HOUSE MATTERS.
The Custom House In Norfolk Is undergoing repairs
Though the walls built OF massive granite, the roof
has proved leay and unservceable An architect has
arrived from Washington to supcrintend the repairs.
The arrival OF the Ephesus, Of three thousand
tons IL daily looked for from Liverpool fall return
cargo for her has already been good share
OF the cargo will be cotton.
nAyoRALry vAcAScy
The appointment OF Mayor Robb, OF Norfolk City
Judge, compels the appointment Of successor. Dr.
Ludlow is the most prominent candidate. The vacancy
only continues iii the 2sth Of June, when the annual
municipal election takes place.