Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-31
AL-WIIMING TON. DELAWARE, DECEMBER

OF general SESSIONS, &c., were empowered
to try all criminal cases, not capital,
and also TO hold tho orphans court in
their respective counties. Tho justices
OF the court of common pleas were TO
have Jurisdiction of civil causes, and
also to hold court of equity within
their respective counties. The pro.
ceedings In equity we're to be by bill
and answer, and in all other respects, as
near as might be, according TO the
rules and practice of the high court
OF chancery In Great Britain.
But the chief feature of this newly
organized system was the supreme
court. 1t was composed Of three. and
subsequently, by the statute of l760 OF
four judges commissioned by the
Governor, one OF whom was to be
styled Chief Justice; and to be held
twice every year in each county. Said
judges, or any two of them, were
empowered TO hold the court and to
hear and determine all causes removed
or brought there by certiorari, writs of
error, appeal or Other remedial writs,
from the respective general quarter
sessions of the peace and county courts
OF common pleas, or from any other court
OF law or equity within the said three
counties; and also to examine, correct,
and punish the contempts, defaults,
corruptions, &c., OF the Justices of tho
pence, eherifTs, and other officers within
said counties; and generally exercise
their jurisdiction and powers according
to law aud equity, as fully as the
Judges of the Kings bench and com
mon pleas at Westminster or the
Chancellor of England might do with
the right of appeal however, from any
tinal sentence, judgment. or decree of
| said supreme court to the King in
council, or TO such tribunal IN England
as might be appointed 10 hear such
appeals. The judges of this court, or
any two of them, were also empowered to
try all capital offences.
From this supreme court there was
no appeal TO any other tribunal within
the three counties, or under the pro-
prietary government The sole rasort
from IL was to the King 10 council, or
other appointed tribunal in England
| From every supreme court since estab.
lished there has been further resort
to a higher court within the State.
So that this particular one with its
special characteristics and powers,
appears TO have been the most dis
tinctive form of supreme court which
Delaware has possessed.
STATE PERIOD.
The judicial system of l726-3G, with
but few notifications, continued in
operation until, by the Revolution, the
Delaware counties ceased to be colony
Of Great Britain, and became an indie.
pendent State, under the constitution
Of government ordained by their
deputies in convention, September Goth,
| 1776.
This convention marks the most
mUmentous epoch in our history-tht
birth OF a free and sovereign State
amid the throes of revolution. In
response to the recommendation Of the
Continental Congress, it assembled in
New Castle, August 9th, l77G, and in
~ days completed its work by dis
solving all connection with the British
crown and adopting an Independent
frame of government. Among it,
members were the foremost men o
their day-Georgs Road, their Prssi
dent, Nicholas NanDyke, Ricl d Bias
sett. DR.. Charles Ridgely, jacob Moore
and Thomas Mexican.
Jorge Read, during his notable
career, was an accomplished lawyer
delegate from Delaware in the Con
tinental Congress-, signer OF the Do
claration OF Independence and of the
Federal Constitution, United States
Senator, and Chief Justice of thu
supreme court of Della ware under th,
Constitution ot 1892.
Nicholas VanDyke was of Dutcf
descent, a resident of New Castle, |
lawyer OF emineDce, member of thu
Continental Congress, signor of tn,
Articles of Confederation, and Presi
dent of the Delaware State. ii. wa
the father of Nicholas VanDyke. Jr.
an able and eloquent lawyer, United
States Senator and the maternal grand
} father OF the esteemed and lamoutet
Victor dn Pont, deceased.
Richard Bassett was very promi
nent lawyer and citizen of Delaware
member of the State Constitutions
Conventions of l776 and 1892, signe
of the Federal Constitution, United
States Senator, Chief Justice of til,
court of comomn pleas, 1893 3d. Cover
nor OF Delaware and United State
circuit judge. His daughter was tn
wife of James A. Bayard, ST., grand
father of the present Ambassador t.
Great Britain.
, DR.. Charles Ridgely was 4 cultured
and experienced physician in kon
county,. son of Nicholas Ridgely ant
/, Mary Vining, widow of BENJAMIN
Vining OF New Jersey, and the faths
OF Nicholas Ridgely, ono of Delaware
most distinguished Chancellors. ant
/ also of Henry NJ. Ridgely, who repre-
y scented the State with distinction al
member OF Congress and United State
Senator,
! Jacob Moore WAS resident of Sua
, sax county and attorney general undo
+ the proprietary government from III
to l776
But above all these gifted an,
, patriotic trainers of our fret State Con
a ntitution. toworod Thomas Mexican, n
a born leacer of men and q bold
energetic and unwavering champion O
the cause OF Independence. Although
! not native of DeIaware he neverthe
lesF. by his intrepid patriotism, tire
less activity and masterful personality
not only ipcitel her Sons to huroi
action, but by his own deotls, AS he
representative, made our State illus
trious and hor fame imnerishablu. Il
sending post-haste tn Dover for Rod
ney, when the Delaware delegates il
the Continental Gongress were divide
on the vote for independence, no bot
proved her patriotism and mado Rodne
y famous.
lilo was certainly an uncommon ma
in many respects, formed by nature fa
the trying times in which no lived
! and commanding character anon
i his cOmDatriOts Hn wal un1ouhtnJI