The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-22
& cn.rxe 9 = ysss.a.a GRAND sury q. .
rsor thc Dispasch.I

4 s,nn rxe &, !. yirgisaia Grand Jury I'm |
1852.
nor che Dispatch
Tha following charge was de livered 70 the |
grand Jury of Albemarl c county an May .i |
i767 when Albemarie embraced ail tue
,,ress,,f counties OF Aibefnarie, Fiuyanna,
q ,sckingham. Amherst, and Nelson. the |
original was found among the papers OF
that earnest patriot, Colonel Nv iltiaIn apeii
the cider, OF Union Hid. 1t j. .,svorthy,o o.
mention that among the CHIEF causes at :, u.s.
signed for The Revolution were I" the oe-
priying ms OF the benefits OF trsai Dy jury
for suspending our own Leg,s'asaFses' !. &C.
NORWOOD, NELSON COUNTY, February Z.
& 1878.
Geatlesae,s of the Grand Jury.
Civil Government was Instituted Tor the
nreseryaiien and advancement Of Mems
tYyil Interests and for the better security
OF their Lives, Libertys, and Propertys.
Men soon became sensible OF the Nc
cessity OF Civil Government for these Ends
from, The Inconvenience they suffered by
private Life independent OF each other; For
in such q state, Unless every man would
keen strictly to the Rules OF Justice and
EQUITY (which the depravity Of Human Ma
ture and long experience forbid US ever TO
hope iorl, the weak would become prey
TO the strong. Every one would be at the
Mercy OF MIN that was mightier than MN.
self. and the world would be full OF Fraud
and Injustice, Cruelty and Oppression.
Nosooner did mankind begin to Multiply
and 70 Contract new Relations and Dutys
but their Interests interferred one with an
other and gave rise to those wrongs and IN,
jurys which daily increased in the Worid
and quickIvm moved men TO enter into Societys
and Form themselves into regular Govern
ments for the mutual security ana delence
of their persons and propertys, both against
Violence from, abroad, and rapine and fraud
at Home.
For these ends and purposes, Soeletys
were at first erected and grounded upon the.
Mutual Compact and agreement OF those
who entered into them, to stand by and
assist each other both again Foreign plo-
fence and domestick wrongs. 70 repel the
first OF these there must be external force
and strength, which consist in arms. riches,
and Multitude OF Hands. The remedy OF
the other lies in wise and wholesome Laws
agreed on by the Society; Ana the care o.
both is by. common consent commilted 70
the Civil Magistrate: Who is Armed with
the force and strength OF all his Subjects III
order TO put those Laws in Execution.
From this brief Account OF the nature
and design Of Civil Government, it IS OBJ
yioi,s that il ever the true ends OF Govern
mept are answered it is under orr most
happy Constitution, which is q mixed, lim-
tied Monarchy. where the p!erosatives OF
the Crown and the L;kertys OF the People
are SO blended and interviewer together
that the rights reserved to The subjects tend
20 render the King Great and Honourable,
and the prcrogatises OF the Crown are IN
order to the protection and safety OF the
People. Every subject OF Great Brittaln
has fixed Fundamental right BORN WITH
him as 10 the freedom Of bis person and
propcrty in his Estate which lie can't be
deprived OF but Ivy his own consent or for
Some crime for which the Laws bave I'M
posed forfeiture.
And next 10 that o. hayin. 2 share IN the
Legislature, oneo1 the most valuable parts
@: our Constitution is, that no man can be
convicted Of any crime before two jurys
pass upon him, and q persons at least find
him guilty. First, the Grand Jury, who
are called from different parts OF the whole
county, and are 20 present the offence; and
then petit jury, from tie reighborhood
where the offence was committed. are to
hear the party and all Evidence for and |
against him, and thereupon give verdict:
and that the Evidence may be clearer and
better to be depended on, written Depo's
are not to be admitted but on mere neces-
slty; but the Witnesses are to appear and
be examined viUa roce, q method OF coming
at the truth peculiar to the British Consti-
tuition.
Descryediy, therefore, Is this Trial by
Jurys part Of the Great Charter. and ever
ranked among the choicest Of our iunda-
mental Laws; which, whosoeHer shall 60
about to SubVert or craItilE undermine, by
oyeraTing or corrupling iuries, breaks
asUnder the fences OF cur Government and |
is an Enemy to our King and Country.
For which reason the English Parliament
have always been most jealous for preserv-
Ing this great Jewel OF our Liberty. no on
privilege besides having been so often re-
ireuihercd there.
When the one and the other Jury Act as
they ought, with Courage, Diligence, and
Irarartiality, We shall have just reason to eel
CITRATE that Law that Instituted them. and to
congratulate our coUntryman on the happi-
nets we enjoy; since the meanest,among us
IS protected by the Law in as secure man
ner as the greatest.
Gentlemen, it is for the preservation
and support of this, ouf Excellent Govern
ment, BY the due execution OF the Laws,
that we are now met Together, and tho
/ don't doubt OF your Ability and inclina-
ton 10 perform your duty as Grand jury
men, yet being sworn [among other thinSs]
to enquire OF such matters as Shall be given
you in charge, it is my Duty to inform you
what crimes and offences you ought to en-
ouire OF which otherwise might not occur
!. to your Memory.
And in the first place shall recommend
to your enquiry all such offences rs are more
Immediately against Almighty God and his
holy Religion established among us. ~.
1t is for the Honour and Interest Of every
Government that all vice, immortality, and
Prophaness be suppressed, because preiu-
dcial to il, as the Opposite Virtues tend to
the good and welfare OF Societys. All man
ner OF wickedness [even such as don't
directly iniure any person or disturb the
public peaceI has an i'll influence upon So
ciety, tends to make men bad Subjects and
worse Neighbors, and indisposes them for
due discharge OF the relative Dutys OF Life.
And 1t has been observed that a Contempt
OF God and 4 neglect OF Religious Dutys is
generally the Inlet to and forerunner Of all
manner OF wickedness. eXhort you, there
fore, to present all who shall biaspheme,
WHY, % Ridioulc the Name, Nature, or |
Attributes Of God; And all other Offences |
against the Act made in 1905, Cap. 80, For
the more etfectual suppression OF Vice and |
restraint. &c. :,
The Horrid Oaths and Curses that
abound among us [besdeS the offending
God, the IDiuring our Souls, and atfrontng
all Sincere Christians by treating that God
with Indignity whom they worship and
x1,,xa ~Sc x,.y,o |