Gazette Of The United States

NEW-YORK, Feb. 5.

The district court for the district of New-York was opened on Tuesday last by the Hon. James Duane, Judge of said Court.

The following Gentlemen who had been summoned for the purpose, appeared and were sworn as Grand Jurors, being the first Grand Jury assembled in this State under the authority of the United States, to wit:

Jacob Le Roy, Esq. Foreman, Francis Lewis, Esq. John Broome, Richard Platt, John Blagge, Eleazer Miller, Samuel B. Webb, Henry Remsen, Esq. William Denning, Walter Livingston, William Maxwell, Comfort Sands, Alexander Macomb, William Edgar, Paschal N. Smith, James Farquhar, Alexander Stewart, James Nicholson, Frederick Jay, Nicholas Hoffman, Cornelius Ray, Abijah Hammond, Joseph Hallett.

His Honor the Judge then gave the following Charge:

Gentlemen of the Grand Jury.

In a charge to the first Grand Inquest convened for this District, I tread an unbeaten path. We are now become emphatically a nation. A new Constitution pervades the United-States, with adequate powers for their government and protection. New laws are promulgated, both with respect to crimes and civil obligations; and new judicatories established for the administration of justice. To examine the nature of those institutions, and their effects on our former system, would be a work of time, and indeed difficult to be accomplished without further experience. But I have no intention to enter upon a discussion so extensive. For us it is sufficient that the constitution and laws of the United-States, are the laws of the land, sanctioned by the highest authority, paramount to all political obligations; and commanding our respect and obedience. Happy are we that thus bound to submission, this constitution, after the strictest scrutiny, is so strongly marked with the approbation of a vigilant and enlightened people! Happy that we may confidently trust it will answer the inestimable purposes expressed in its preamble, that it will "form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

After this introduction his Honor explained the judiciary powers of the United States—the Nature of the Courts instituted by virtue of those powers—and the several laws of the union, violations of which are the subjects of cognizance to the Grand Jury of this district—and concluded with the following interesting, and important observations.

"You have perceived how much it must depend on you, and those who may from time to time succeed you as grand jurors, to vindicate the authority of the United States, and particularly to prevent abuse of office, and frauds in the revenue—evils of such pernicious tendency.

"You will therefore be careful and diligent in executing your high trust. The solemn oath which has been administered to you, will regulate your conduct. From your respectable characters I am assured that you will act independently and impartially, as much uninfluenced by the fear, as the favor of men.

"You will present things truly as they exist in, or shall come to your knowledge, weighing every circumstance with deliberation, so that the innocent may not be vexed, nor the guilty escape unpunished.

"I am happy that I have no particular accusation to lay before you; and therefore dismiss you to your duty: not doubting but you will discharge it conscientiously, and merit the thanks of your country."

Thursday the District Court of the United States, for the District of New-York, again met, according to adjournment, when the Grand Jury presented the following address to the Court, in answer to the charge delivered to them at the opening of the court.

To the Hon. JAMES DUANE, Esq. Judge of the District of New-York.

SIR,

We, the Grand Jurors for the District of New-York, beg leave to present our sincere thanks for your excellent charge, in which the nature of our duty, and the judicial system of the United-States are described in the clearest manner, and recommended by the most cogent reasons.

Convinced that a government marked with the approbation of a vigilant and enlightened people, and calculated to extend the great blessings of liberty and union, to the latest posterity, is entitled to our fullest confidence and support. And sensible that we must chiefly depend upon the due execution of the laws imposing duties, and an impost upon trade and navigation, for the support of our government, the payment of our debts, and the re-establishment of public credit. We conceive it our duty to declare, that our whole conduct shall be regulated by these sentiments; that both by our influence and example, we will endeavor to promote the collection of the public revenue; and that, not only in our present capacity, but as private citizens, we shall exert ourselves to bring offenders to the bar of public justice.

Such sentiments as these we trust are not peculiar to ourselves, nor confined to any rank or description of Citizens; but pervade and will govern the whole community. They are the natural result of universal attachment to a government formed to secure the rights of man, and in which, by necessary consequence, public prosperity is connected with the happiness and safety of individuals.

The Court in reply, thanked the Grand Jury for their respectful address; and observed, that the sentiments it contained were honorable to themselves, and must produce great public good.

The Grand Jury were then discharged, and the Court adjourned to meet again according to law.