Gazette Of The United States

Newbern, April 9.

On Monday last, the District Courts of the United States, for the North-Carolina District, was held at the Court-House in this town, before the Hon. Judge Sitgreaves.

We have been favored with a copy of the CHARGE delivered to the Grand Jury, on this occasion. It is as follows:

Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,

YOU are now impannelled as an inquest for the United States, for the North-Carolina district, under the authority of a Constitution, which has received the assent of all America.

To forbear to speak of this government on this occasion, (altho it may not be necessary to the business for which you are now assembled) might argue an insensibility towards it, which no citizen should ever feel.

It was a happiness reserved for the people of America, after having successfully asserted their claim to independence, to be permitted calmly and deliberately, in the mild season of peace, unawed by external force—undisturbed by internal commotion, to agree upon a system of government, which should bear the test of the most jealous examination, and be sanctioned by general approbation.

What may not be presaged from a constitution thus framed? In which local prejudices are made to yield to the primary object, the safety and happiness of the whole, by which a people inhabiting a vast extent of territory, under the influence of different climates and habits, have blended their interests in a perpetual union, presenting to the world a nation commanding admiration and respect.

It would be pleasing to contrast the present, with the former government; to point out the energy and stability of the one; to shew the impotence and instability of the other. But this would be an unnecessary digression. It will suffice to observe, that among the many advantages we had anticipated from the change, a few month's experience has already evinced, a rapid establishment of public and private credit, and an increased circulation of solid coin. By these our commerce is already reviving; agriculture must soon feel the effect.

Under a government thus made by a people for themselves, administered by their own citizens, and alterable at their pleasure; in which the rights of mankind are fully recognized and respected; the citizen as a member of a nation, forming a conspicuous figure in the grand society of the human race, while he laments the debased situation of millions of his species, must be elevated with his dignity and importance, and be readily induced to revere and support it.

As members of such a nation, you are now called upon to perform a duty of great trust and importance.

On grand juries depend in a great measure the observance of the laws; through them the guilty is to be punished: the laws to be respected. As the duty is similar to that which you have often rendered to the state, the frequent performance of it, and the oath you have taken will cause a more particular direction unnecessary.

The criminal jurisdiction of this Court extends to all crimes and offences against the United States committed within this district, or upon the high seas, by any person now within the District, where no other punishment than whipping not exceeding thirty stripes, a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months is to be inflicted. All such it is your duty to enquire into, and present, as well as all breaches of the laws of impost, navigation or trade of the United States, which subject the offender to indictment and punishment in this court. And it may not be improper here to observe, that however prevalent might be the opinion, when America was part of the British empire, that the evasion of the payment of the duties was not dishonorable or unjust, yet such an idea, at this day must be generally execrated; and it should be remembered that he who is guilty of a fraud on the revenue, commits a species of robbery, by which every citizen is injured.

It will be also your duty to present the misbehaviour of the officers of the revenue, if such should come to your knowledge. The possibility of negligence and corruption in the subordinate officers will render the vigilance of the public eye proper.

The gentleman who now acts as Attorney for the United States will prepare any business that may be offered for your consideration, and the Court will be ready to afford you any assistance or advice that may be necessary.

To the Hon. JOHN SITGREAVES, Esquire, District Judge of the United States.

May it please your Honor,

THE Grand Jury of the United States for North Carolina district, cheerfully embrace this interesting occasion to thank your Honor for the Charge delivered to them yesterday, and feel a pleasure in expressing to you their approbation of the Constitution under which this Court is now sitting.

The organization of the government of the United States and the administration of it realize the hopes we had formed of the benefits and advantages to be derived from it.

Impressed as we are with the most favorable opinion of it, and the administration, convinced that the happiness and safety of the people of America, must depend on an efficient government, which can assert the dignity of the nation, and secure the liberty of its citizens, we shall with great cheerfulness give every facility to the execution of its measures.

The Grand Jury are fully convinced of the propriety of your Honor's observations, relative to the strict execution of the revenue laws, and shall always consider that man, as an enemy to his country, and not worthy of being a citizen of a free state, who can deliberately defraud the public of any part of its revenue.

We should do violence to our feelings, if we did not express to you the pleasure we enjoy, in beholding the distribution of justice placed in the hands of a man, for whom we have the greatest regard and affection.

Frederick Hargett, Foreman.
W. Shepard, F. Lowthrop, W. Good, E. Bell, W. Dennis, jun. W. Blount, N. A. Bray, W. Randal, J. Blount, A. Harvey, S. Willis, J. Cook, W. Lawrance, E. Tinker, W. Henry, J. Smallwood, E. Alexander.

Jury-Room, April 5.

William Slade, Silas White Arnett and Benjamin Woods, Esq'rs. were admitted to practice in this Court as Attornies and Counsellors at Law, and qualified accordingly.

The number of souls in the district of Newbern, as enumerated by the Deputy-Marshal, is 5600.