Case Name: UNITED STATES v. GRAY
Court: United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1840-10-07
Citations: 26 F. Cas. 18
Docket Number: 
Parties: UNITED STATES v. GRAY.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 26
Pages: 18–18

Head Matter:
Case No. 15,253.
UNITED STATES v. GRAY.
[3 Hag. Reg. U. S. 227.)
District Court, D. Massachusetts.
Oct. 7, 1840.
Post Office—Conveying Letters Contrary to Law.

Opinion:
William C. Gray, of Lowell, was put on trial for conveying three letters in his express by the Lowell cars, in August. 1839, and thereby rendering himself liable to'a penalty of fifty dollars, under the act of congress (chapter 275) passed in 1825 [3 Story's Laws, p. 1985; 4 Stat. 102].
In his charge, DAVIS, District Judge, in-, strueted the jury that Gray, by his arrangement with the company, came within the meaning and intent of the law; but whether he did convey the letters as alleged was a question of fact to be determined by the jury, from a consideration of the circumstances proved.
When the jury retired. THE COURT adjourned till Saturday, when the jury returned with a verdict for the defendant.