Jenks' Portland Gazette

From the Norfolk Ledger, Dec. 18.

We solicit our readers to refer to the 7th article of the impeachment of judge Chase, and then compare his conduct in the case alluded to in that article, with that of Judge M'Kean (now Governor of Pennsylvania) upon an occasion we are about to refer to, and which has been suggested to us by the intelligent Editor of the Evening Post.

In the year 1797, Cobbett, the editor of Porcupine's Gazette, had published something offensive to Judge M'Kean's son-in-law, the Marquis de Casa Yrujo.

Cobbett was brought upon a warrant before Judge M'Kean, who bound him over to his good behaviour. Nevertheless, Cobbett went on in his old way, to the great displeasure of the Judge, as appears from the following:

At a Court of oyer and terminer, held in the city and county of Philadelphia, Nov. 1797, Judge M'Kean thus charged the Grand Jury.

"Before I conclude I am sorry to have occasion to mention that there is another crime that peculiarly concerns the judges of the supreme court to endeavor to correct. It is that of Libels. I will describe it at large." After going at great length into the doctrine of libels, he concludes thus:

"Impressed with the duties of my station, I have used some endeavors for checking these evils, by binding over the editor and printer of one of them, licentious and violent beyond all former example, to his good behaviour: but he still perseveres in his nefarious publications," &c.

"In brief, he braves his recognizance and the laws. It is now with you Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, to animadvert on his conduct; without your aid it cannot be corrected." "You may now, gentlemen, retire to your room. Inquire with zeal, hear with attention, deliberate with coolness, judge with impartiality, and decide with fortitude."

The Judge did not stop here (as we are informed) for next day upon some remark which was made by a suitor, the Judge replied "that Grand Juries do not always do their duty, We have a recent instance" for it seems the grand jury returned ignoramus.—Let the conduct of Judge Chase and Judge M'Kean be compared; and if any man can say that the one is guilty and the other innocent, we should hold his candor in very small estimation. But Judge Chase is a Federalist, and must be wicked, Judge M'Kean is a democrat, and must be honored.