Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

The federal Circuit court sat yesterday; judges Chase and Winchester present.

Judge Chase delivered a short and pertinent charge to the grand jury--his remarks were pointed, modest, and well applied. After calling their attention to crimes committed against the laws of the United States which came under their cognizance and which he particularly noticed; murder, treason, and piracy, he informed them he need not debate on, as there had not come within his knowledge any case for their notice.--Any breach of the revenue laws would be brought before them by the proper officers; and observed that any information required by them would be given by the court when wanted. He particularly directed, that in all cases they were to hear the evidence on the part of the United States only, and in any case, where the evidence was doubtful, they were not to find a bill; as their not finding one did not establish innocence, but only proved that there was not evidence sufficient to find a bill--He particularly noticed that an union of the states should always be advocated, that the laws should ever be supported as the only certain security of peace and order--even admitting that those laws were unjust, unconstitutional or oppressive; and declared it his opinion, that it was not their duty to inquire into the constitutionality of laws, but to support them, as made by those whose peculiar province it was to enact them; and strongly recommended the encouragement of morality as the sheet anchor of our political security and happiness.

After the charge was delivered, the grand jury retired to their chamber, and in a short time returned and stated to the court that no business had been brought before them. The judge, returned them hearty thanks for their attention in the service of the publick & thereupon dismissed them.