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Cm:turban iannarb .12,11852
Charge of Judge Wilmot,
TO TH g
frauh of Toilful( IfittuflL
Doesaber Terse, 111.50.
lies. Dam Wizarow: Iltsw-11 *di wit jet
'karate that we listened to thg I 7 able aed in
structive Charge which you defife.tr. us, as we
w ere about to enter upon the discharge of our duties
a . G ra nd Jurors. We believe that efering.iiettleity
a the infultnationOmund doctrines and moral sees
funents therein contained, will prove highly. benefi.
cal to , the public, and we very respeetfully ask that
a copy of the same may be furnishedfor publication.
We are yours, very respectfully,
E. B. MYER. Foreman.
ARRIRIM brNHAM, in.,
JoSRIO HOUTON, in.,,
A crrAvDrn Evart,
L. D. CHAMBERLIN,
Jaw's Ftscn, '
RORIRT fit ivrv.vrt,
Wit.t.14. , ,m Plumes,
111.1. MURrIiT.: •
0121INNICS CAR.PENTLIto
Licrt firtracnroup,
A B. BiIISCS.
}Ds
IHIAL McKEist
F. CLARK.
,TpD COLS,
11.S.SL H rcee,'
I.4nquALL
December 6th, 18,51.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND JURY :--111 taking
ri,)on myself the responsible duties of the office of
hesideitt Judge of this Judicial District, I deem- a
apropt iaty occasion to address. you upon' the
Filvci of theyinal law of this Commonwealth ;
lathe prompt nd impartial' esecution of which,
theGrana Inquest acts an important part. I gibs!'
enter upon A recital and description of the vari
cr.. crimes and (gleams I l itiown : loyrinci Such
cour se. would be both tedious and.upprofitsble—
impossible fcr !tie eleniest Inaerstanding,
re•en+ive memory, to - treasure op ; on, a
n;;Ie reading or hearing, the dennitions—the nice
it/often suble di4tinctinns, enteringinto them, fO
- with the precio legal import of technical
:ifs erop'oyed iri dweribingthe numerous ellen
romp?ehendekl peuitl...code of a Stale,
advanced in the knowleitte 01 giiteinithent and
%Fand which enforces by judicital
to doties'ef a refilled eneibll anif dOmestic
ibligations growing.mit 'of a completed politi
-siem, and the high claims of i morality and
pun founded upon the statutes and revealed
cl God. An achurate knowledge of the penal
of such . a Striie;_thi attairit'd by laborious
y, and' Cannot 1:6 intellio jbly, presented in the
ed apace marked out los Hiyself in ditieharg,e•
inforroilion pia Mal desire, touching either
r general powers and duties, Or "relating to a
trotareve before tonileilrherethilr f ully given
the Court, or by il+gimtleman who, prosecutes
behalf of the State, and irponcither you should
'at liberty to call, as I trcist yon -will, whenever
•minds are embarraisetibtleetitione of diffr
iy afid doubt. • ,
In what i have to,sayJrpon dirtftreSent.oorasinn,
take a general and rapickwurv , eyglibwciuree,
rinement, and present conditloo_pL e i oor penal
nm—noting the' great and important changes
indertlone—the conliderat lone. hriiiianity and
is policy whidli led toe rintigatipkof.
!nut, and draw from thence :iorae refleCtione
ling the duties of their; Cheiglitiiith its ad,
,cration. The delicate end important trusts
laded to the Grand Vest of the: Connty, - -its
prerogatives and powers—the fintiartfility anti
ners of aim, in which they should ever . be
tied, may he made topics of interest, and in
tires to duty.
The great tountiAnd source of criminal as 'welt,
iril jurisprudence, is to be found in wt at,
two as the common law of England—a system
ded upon ancient custom and usage, :and hand
own in an anthenrc arid authoritative form in
:cords and adjudications of the English coorts.f
lmmon law has been made the Met* of ex.!:
ragant eulogies by most. writers Whit have enter:'
?on the task of expounding its principles.—•
ite it col rained that was sound in reason,-
lint in application te'ihe relations and hi:Warts/
•of life, it *as tatterthettiss, as a system,
ishwis,e, it dill lithe it irsitrtitiplintEd bj
onistg ter iontinEtit.' fiats doctrined'imi
alit, it It ahlthally sioistelf did plaineSt dichitee,
unrhon sense, and natural , justice. Its •proee
-411 the details oT its preettee, bail suirduntieti,
an inettrirAfe ' nrityrork of teehnic'afitieS ' and'
nieliigible jargon, in which respect, there, is yet
:le room for impyarsment. When we consider
pers t od.of world's , history in yr - brchttiff ?OP
law had iti origin and' iroVir.h .. ,' the social and
Pleat condition of the eoreurry
tad, ire ere only su rgilsed t liar)! Ai .rakit (Ecr ;
'd.by the (Ilse principles , and manners -of :the:
4 t'at , to. be wholly tiatiiteti•ltPinistWithe're.t=
of a highs
,e Teipeilrand
,trtiai age, such withal ja,waich a:11.1054.11F0 , '
iron this foundations, the - 6ommun has
leafed one of the grantle44islatiii
:leve r devised brman—themost .und
led in its application to'the ditiergiOed telatiodi
alla,reni life-giving eei:tiriii tOiheilargesteraP
uyeress of the worhl, and determining-by its ,
trio the rights, relative - llutier arid oblige , "
.of more than fifty millions of human beings.
peat work, by which the crude maxima and
ne 'P:e 6 .eftiniarty age;:sierealedigerl and en
as to meet the wants-of-Ile present : lm,
red eandition of cent rintniliel'artd)ttatei;:is . .the
it of the enlightened . and the
a nd ittO men of modern times. in difs woik
lalots and judges have united-Mcr the bitter es
illy, are we indebted' for the bOldnesa. with'
'h they have pruned frUns'ihe old,,,unnk of Ow
lon Law, and engrafted oportit tiewandiegtl4.;'
P r inciples, adapted - hi' the: maimed business
( " 4 , and ameliorated conduiotipf miin .,
The sanctions of the comas oft' lite:wail harsh'
'R.tutrY i the natural furittirf : igno ranee, marl
laratirely rude and semi-barbarous age:—
Imimmimoipmeommivenotimoins .
‘.
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A t " . BRADFORD E. O'3I.,EARA-,
Crimeadefic#
certainty, but Ilia uimirial ; : was Agiitlet4 lel* : grief
under circumstances greatly ad verise.le-,his 'rights
intiefetr i errielPionodguiik; tifteilittritaised with
cruelYoderthe ,netne - or.fi.,benefit
circlergy” all WhO;prefeeled.g . 'Alight lttinwAftdga of
tiers. were in-rtiost calks exempt hobs-the extre me
penalties of 'the law.. `lisF Siert Was given a kindet
itnpunitpWhile-upon the biniple, and'
educated Mats, the Yais dealt , cot
_iti„pogislimpnis
of erourgiegkand,jigarb.e,ihiasuigorons, and
administered with .suclj Aoeljuality, Auld injustice,'
provokes ISO iiiititzetiiitt,iiliee we 114 understand'
the politieellselsociet condition of thefourttl and'
times,: hi 'Which -it !Ives tolerated _ ; Unit infbreed.—,
The tra*ims 1161
. ifinaipieji of that age; , dillared
wide y e umano sentiments, the, ;alined
feelings and elevated moralsahat sway, with...such
powerthe-publie-opinistolaTihe World at the-p rey ent,' day:-.` .yriail of 'p eople ', were but Pile
edir`e'lled q ifiey.e this of _slaves.,This per
suits of laborotapecially the enitivatioa,ftf the sod,
were regarded as degrading and servile; and - feats
of airs in ainftourdaiiient, Were aline esteem,
Werthy of,die,nobie and geode, lUdeed, it 'is
but a brief period in.the.svotlifs hl tort', einee= the
proud bioodef the Angry Saintly Coarse& through
the” veins df the Serf. ruder theirdinence of j'srin,'.
and', degrading to
mantieedoind in,tbe, midst -of -institptions .not far
rernes*trom berbarismitfidtheeomnum law have
its origin and eerlier growth. That it shlifild be harsh,
and eisien'ertsel in its pinisb - rnelippressive4nil
partial in its,administration, isitibrefore .no mennd
for wonderment Man-was held in tow estimation
—his Mimanity, and the "digilitf rif . h intellectual
-end r 1 neinro, litileLrindirstooder respedted
The grelti lea of_the inOtherbOed of the race—of
man's dories and obligations to his fellow man—of
that strong isympatby which should - bind together in
rriiitnal rove and respect, those having a.Cotinnon
origin and a common destiny, these ennobling and
humanizing sentiments had little or no - influence
over the Minds or institutions of men, at the Period
to Whibli 004 referred. The criiitinel was regar
ded and treaiid as an out-oruit, worthy only stripes,
torture and death. His blood was attainted, render
ed infamous, and his transgression, 'visited upon the
innocent in the ign'onoin'Y which 'attached to his
children, and - in the fnriennie of his estates, The
rigors of the common law 'can thirdly .be said to
have been Mitigated at the time of the Settlement of
this continent, nor did it undergo any gi eat reforms
for many
,years tbe.,eaft.ir. Indeed, the criminal
bode of England ass whole had ratherincreased in
severity by the creation of - numeronft 'statutory
fences,. particulariy of a - Political nature, unknown
to .fire annibet law. ,That country for many yeare
almost eenturiei, atter it had taken rink as one "of
the MoSicivilized of nations, bat before it-had 'at
gained that high refinemeiff in science and literature )
and in file - 4m*ledge of the arts, which now so dia.
tin.guishes it, was the theater of almost Constant re•
volutions and internal dissensions growing out. of
' questions of disputed right to the succession of the
crown-the great changes in its polity, 'COnseqperit
upon; i t.sed war cement in ciiilizatiomand knowledge,
and the - general unsettled politiceteondition of the
neighboring end surrounding 'rations: Times of
revolution and political cliengethe making and .
deposing of Kings, are not favorable to. the growtb
of tolerant and humaneprinciplei,oor to theLeift:
ening of the.hirsti features of ti criminal code. So
sanguinary and rigoroni.did the law becoriiie, under
the influence of the causes to which thave reteired,
aided too often by pliant and enjiiipt judges,. that
the hangman' and the executioner tired under their
accnmulaigelehOrS, an d "n
a comp a rativ ely brief
~
period- the greet belk.of the real estat‘of the king
dom changed harids several times 3 by repeated for.
tenures and Confiscations."
This sylitersi . of critninallaw, scarcelyrelieved of
the harsh featnres.whibb haie presented-L.4v its
numerous death penahiercend its benefit of clergy
—its hrendingsend tmininge;metilations and tor-.
taretittriillories and whir/Ai' posts4r-tts fines'
and forfeitures—its iutainders and iOnfeletraels, was
tratisplinted upon our soil of Tenruiyiliartia t Where,
to tbetifidit of hotnenity and the honer of oar State,
it tiaNfifoo4 isitifillegistinee'entr
aft it s cruel and Paibitrousifafunil, as iooniP ,
'dos fathnot.fotinif themselves in a:condi:Ton to act
indeperidentedilffet rfoxiet which •hfid'imposect it
upon them, , ,
Varier the . Pravis,onal,Governmenl, an ." ;let for
the advancement of itstice, and the more certain ,
administration thereof," was-passed itt 1718issibich
in sortie measure marfie'regerded
non of (air' 'penal Coile''a l itheugh in jts penaltis;
is,strongly maiiced by,thervangoinsitl pharieter of
the;Eitglish statiiiiatictteommoroAawft. secured
to persona indicted - fist . Otitneil;*o
crialleriges * Lfhe'cleriSorb ilirftetektoithiifa
set for their Aelenectimid ,priocess•to,compell the.at.:
tendimce of Witneligefi '4'BlBo secured, • Whitt net
the bneSt'of . ck. pt'. in allbases wh re ` if :ryas allow'
able ky 140 lawn eXteirdeiLlis - the.,
'unlettered, those who prayed -it , were potrequired
• • ti -11
to realT,fitit'Onnisllp4ini .1-tk s,vorf, bra,h .. • 3
• • ••.; . •.• Yrrt tn.
in in the land, ,tyltich ptinishmont was infilcied ttt .
open court. The benefd of clergy was entirely ta•••
ken away .on second' onviction for 01'44:10; ex- .
' This act Mritty,,
149Nif 5 ienei :r 4 7,4 1 0 11 .4 6-
minion and the prejudices of a provions-age 3 , - .
ended the iegialftllofl-of that ilay,:sebeit lib *medlar .
nederiti •o!,44o4`*#ri,
pun fishable with dfte c tis,;,aod_"eMorig . „ - tilein.gliat
conjuration. and -witchcraft, and -that it t ,atilt.maiii. ,
tabled the echoes doctrine of attainder and,,comT•
tichi of.blood„. ,
(bailment th e 'Revolution the"prinjetnent 01,
death. was L.by, lbw -low.a of Penaglvania
for ltilliollowillit'clh,rclar.-. 4 figtrlreasorti•Or i l n =
ding 1d.F.th0 44 Ptlielf", B !°, llll .lo .l oot l T, roB P e r t k i t
1 4 ofcl,rl;);:k • gli i i:.,l,osl,l 3 (i;!4'4:oAA 5i#::01 101 9A*
to, out lAws,)4irlieffic*OrY9 , l4 ll ; l 4% . • 4l P l O mb l ei
loyonalicions astimikrirnanalanghterb3i stabbing,'
anion, and every othiefelony (ticept larceny) all
.
"."Ll•ti .tf
Tr "
MEE
OM
•
.) • z , ' , .•'...`* - -;• , 1 ! lIPSAADLESS::OP..DOILNciiiiittiq' tit.o* - Art 107 =
.4 , •.`''.• ' - -
Mil
1111
and-nulringgany
couoterfait bills of credit an 4 counterfelfilighieuri
51CII,Pl ' fl...DrItits'er.estio , , , 4 statute. of,lemeethe Ist
respecting •bastard ehildrerfi.-was also in.force - with
'Allita r,gere which by'a constrained presinnigionj
made the- mother nightei hc : fiCr hits
lard child , iopreri-, case when she . attempted. to
-conceal the'death of such child, and punished her
accordingly, ',unless she could. matte positive reel
that such child was the
bon* dead,' TiirtilalOod
• _ •
Stlion*SlllA . of, our State tgts •,
so(
lotion—sted. eafficientli • sartgainamto ; gltsst its
originoand-diesitritrary and Austin:lkons
:rilitiee which it had beet* tgaintained. - •
•iiitile6lp*Xteto!tlitn,iras
accomplivbedi sod iiiihrepcsiiitte i ret4 its
_Wail.
prineyiesof equality and humanity; ostfatliers set
-earnestly about tefomiiiig - onr penal 'code. TI4 ,
first constitution, established dtiriliehe'ltivoTatibi
ary,stroggle,,erijoineci, it as an express duty upon
thp l i egifixture,„q thig e theipenal lair as-heretolore
userielhould•he relorMed. as soon• as may be,' and
punishments made in some eases lees sanguinary,'
and generallYnore'Plopertionrite to' the carries for
Mhich they ere ;' was added,
"that to deler.more effectnally,-from the , commis
siorrof erimee,liy ecintinned•viifibld - prinistinient of
and•to make sanguiriary,-puniplirrent
teas lAgFßAPrki•jl9Pseilougitt provided for pun
ishing by hard labor, those who shall be, convicted
of-crimes-not In compliance-with this
ermititinional'iliandate; ati "Ait for dmeniting the
penal laws riffles §late No passed on the 14;h- of
September 17h6, by which some few chines before
capital;•were•pllnisheid by finfeiliire of did real' and
personal:estate of the 'criminal, and, irinprisoninent
at hart labor ; and all those offences not-capital )
for. which, by the laws then in force, burning' in
the hands, oohing off the Care; nailing, the - ears to
the Vrldpfinig; ta;., are intlicteil, should
thereafter. be punished 14-imprisonment at hard la
bor for *Limn not eiceedinowo_yeara The male•
factors punished under this eel, were emplived in
labors ; and Proviifion
was :peat+ for :eetoring the credit of such ccmvicts,
as evinced a sincere•*reformation: it declared that
no attainder should work Corruption of bleed In' any
case, or extend to the 'thsiiiiieision or prejudice of
any person orpersiens, other t h an the offender.—
This protiilon which struck at one of the most odi.
ous features of the English code, was incorporated
with some enlargement of its ohjeCti, into the 'con
stitution of 1790. This act of 17130,. was regarded
as'an experiment, and was. limited to aperiod 6f
three years. The ayitern was revised by an act
passed the . sth of April 1790, which -. provided for
erecting cells in which tb'confine Ilia more harden
ed and atrocious offendena— s for the mode of feed
ing, clothing and employing convicts, Within the
jail, and not as formerly' in public—for eicluding
all visitors, far the protection of those Confined
against, the cruelty Ofiailebt, and iteeeenioi prisons,
and for removing felons, from the counties to the
jail of Philadelphia. •Thiitet was alive; 'irended
as an experimetstaltrial of a new 'iftttl mitigated pys•
tpro _of puniguilents,an4 was limitedlri its operas
tion to a period of five years. In the prosecution
of this reformation of our Penal code, another :act
was passed on the 23d of September 1791, which
contained many excellent provisions touching the
proceedings in criminal cases, and for bridging of
fenders toloitnistsinent.- It 'repealed so much of the
Statute of James let as related to conjuration and
witchcraft, and provideilthat restitotioa, of stolen
gocdi should he made' t ,the. owner, :before any
forfeiture should accrue to the State. Having thus
gradually and cautionsly,'dhrin,g a Verioil of eight
years, approached tOwardri a more' enlightened and :
humane criminal system, the Legislature proceed
ed to consummate the great and exemplary work'hy
the act of the 22d of April 1794, by a hich it is' de."
clared;that It no crime Whatsoever thorcafter, cont.
milted .(except murder in•the first degree )
• punished with death.'t • .The tact then' proceeds to
, define murder in tha. first Ifni? abcond'
it abblishii all distinCtion betty:47a petit .treason
and other kinds of Inorder.4 prescrihes the pin;
ishroe'm in cases of murder of the first and second
degoie, idh Oat*, anion ; rip ei eounferfehing*d
knowing by oiling *Oita gi!fcten4 int etttni
fdriihg;, fraowiag mania& famed ,inkah poresf .
mayhem.; voluntary and inswlentartmantitalighterf
corwealino the death of bastard 'critorriit:.
a
•
tint -it 'aeContli idfaike eapharti'efiire' ae4;
it,aoplisbep4he benefit F rgyp and pro
scribea•the ponibliment for_ oil - codes before clergyir
ble ; ..it provides:forthe.remiwhfcil all convicts (er.,
dept for murder in theeri
ifrarie): fro *the sate
rittAiliiiie• to( alas, anti thUir,
treatmeetwhile there confined: . . '.'i ~.. .
''= , Thirri 'ffairii:beiiir r viinterona , other, .i(?1 'passed
Lfroiiitftue'lik,liMf', reiuhtifi'g 'plricriediri4itirr iriinfi,
n:440-4:;:a4inip. g ., g fieti c ' c s, : and preirribing the,
,Pitiliaitnenk; touching the recoierl• and. payment
of com p -end giving thelury pewee'otertilie'rit hi
certain Fi.sili:.tit,iil:o6.ireF',T,l;ig,'l,4,olls2rje'4°T..'64'
aP4` 44elit - 4F49.4 1 ; 01 ) -4 1 4 - ,.Pianaglairleiit Air . our
Penitentiary system; hut. I have Presented the.greitr
and dig iittulehitis featt)ret -of foiir'et* ig Di * L I 'ci us
it ttiM4taiiiiiiikm). Si,.finforPell• •Ve..have
,teen a
system of f_'cruel anit; even barbaroat par. ishrnents,
toMpletely,Crifificated trief i iiu'il hirnthh; -itithiii :I(
Blida pdhotrof eight' 'ig . are,,(ficiM:,:,fYSd;lo'l7p.i., ) ,
and estawym o d,io ts guilia r arnee.St jaSt, 1 benefi-.
cent Am]. fitments' b cidecit ,eri min allaw, ever knowrr
to , -truyi hdir or &Matey.' If-Atfts TAveriF 'itligi iiislits„
no parallel
~i*l oiu thehistply.
. - ,!1!?., world; and, M may
juSly,he asur ;to that hro'id and - Comprehensive
charity, which shoite , r conspicuous in:the faith 'of .
the early founder of our State—to the influence of
those*o l643 'or l ifoo ll i 'lid'" ial g i tOP" ,
*o l ckclr 4 0 YPY 3 tiO4.F1: W ed : ; but, *ye . and.
bktondriito
the more fall end, jot appreolationoi
the spirt - rend chillier of that heekw Religion stchkh'
itintiorttecliir 0111'1 : ace lik the Purfainatiee' of:
t.` - _ , ..., .
11. 19 •Fr ... L e t l i 4P4a o 9.,d:Fit'ki!"if4 s . i. ..To ),' 7' .
liistorylitneis et eiheousfance t of loco/0. great
and radical change in the pored cede of a'State,,ef:
.feete4 tiithio sifibtffir petiodianit by -the'Volun-
MEE
3 kr-t,n?,o:
,cif;ite aoy , rirklga 0111091 y, :,I(.is ,tbe
gic 0
TY'l o gt iet 4 l — hek Pectiliar, honor
;that sheled the•vray winii . olanielinrating a
tarsh and sanguinary code,end set an example of
justice; forbearanceouni m oderation that has coin•
mended : the admiraiion of the ciy,ifized world, and
furnished. a . model,tur.
.the legisiatinn of other States
sort irations. . , .
The erintinat'Code of Pennsylvania, 'when - we
'lotteideiftsi'll'ititeitit'iMitthe'enfiglit444Philanthro
ity,thil,l4 to ita—gdoptior r is tpp most honorabla
and updating Mehrefftent ever' erected to the fame
et ti temettoreittaliti if '
rid er , w most lice' 01440 14:ii Innutteti:, effort
Afdireotipc}•h'uhiettesuntrisd3 Irk confi4t rlitb. lbe
gentrrillynteasiiiskapiaions , of , inelpii.as reversing
motif ushiclihil preiii4:lY 'gelded, the legislation
orStatea., For . the law. of, cruelty; was.subtotett
the law of kindness—for tortures and death, • the
possibility Of reperitinee, ad the hdpe of reelama
firm; The tau s he'rerotore,.llad'atieis treated the
irgrapt °gentler fill a wi!ti ;boast, to be restrained
only by the severest and even inhuman discipline;
6er reformed code recognized his humanity and the
claims that gav v eh im' to our cominiseration apd best
endeavors, to ,w in him back , to .the paths of integri
and virtno. ..! • •
In view of the mild end beneficent code Of crl
inirial_las) in twat!' i i , our State , `it bee - m . llmi all call
ed to its administration, uroonsider well of their
duties and responsibilities. Our Commonwealth
inflate no punlshmOht not 'demanded' by the Inde
re:As and safety of , sdelary; iteePing : r . lonsmody
in view ihe Eraermatjonand ultimate good of the
criminal himself. These considerations should
excite us all to a learless , and tem:dine perfciirnance
of duty. No ()Render Should:escapattm just, pun.
i'sltmettt of his crime, through the neglect, timidity,
or false.sympathy of any engaged in the adminis
tration nod execulion of the lave. All'eperiithee
teaches that the certainty of firaiiihrtienLii the r niost
effectualreisiraint upon Meet:induct of the dissolute
and wicked: It every breach of the law was visit.
ed by immediate and condign Crime
world be nire'lndee(l—,-socieff viould be secure in
lts.great interests, and the rights olpersoOitud pro
perty' inviolate. But this•desired constimmation
cannot be- attained by human tribunals Any at.
(Mira to Waal:dish a sYstran of summary punish
me- Otter critpe r woukl convert the tribunals of the
law into the mostierrible and irresponsible' engines
of tyrmnny and oppressiort, involving indiscrimi
nately the innocent With thegalfl7. The question
of gat or innikenCelia one Mai cannot.
.be hastily
and summarily . , &weed of. A. safe iottalusion
can only be reached; after a - most careful ingni:
ry, in due optima of law s and tinder those miles
of evidence established by . experience as beet
caleulated to lead to certainty and truth. The judg
mints a the law most await this cautious enquiry,
oherkattended wail'; tedious aqd expensive delays;
brit when guilt is clearly esitibliifikl, the sanetionti
of the few should come with proMptniss ria ener
gy.. In no other way can social order be preset. - edi
or the rights of individuals secured. It the la*
fails to punish the Wroiitr, doer; nYter his
,:guilt is
clearly manifest, men will take . the reilress'nf inju
ries in their own bands, and the very foundations
of the political and social fabric be broken nix
The great chilly imposed upoh criminal-courts, is
to prosecute Recording to law enquiry into the guilt '
or ifinhcence of those charged with Publie.oflensci
-to see that the innocent haim„a speedy tclive . r!,
anee r and that merited punishment is-meted out to
the gt , tilty. In the execution of this delielle task,
yeti, zentlemen, are callea to
careful analysis andthoughttul, estimate
of the.oath you nave recently taken ; will be your
be it guide in the discharge of your more import a nt
40ies:
.Yon are to: make diligent enquiry of all
such matters and things as shall he siren yon iu
charge by the Court, or otherwi=e come' to your
knOwledge—the Commonwenith's„csrunsel, fultr
fqlfoiws, and your own, yoq are to keep.sect%c!:—;
yen ore to preseEt no one for envy+, hatred or ma
li-eiinliilo leave any one unritesented for fear, fa
vor, affection, or the lop Of''resiotta; but to pre
sent 'tkit'thingl liti . i t y .-- a ifiy rifielf"ecatte ',ter yea!:
kepwiedge. A . very Corittireirti#o 0 fibligatiim';
&Jaskol/I be Well weigheLami coasidemily ail i
whOlike it upon themselves:. ,- .• .. - - 1
T 4 friar( by pry 101;14y:10 fle!4lie dir Pole,
men Law. It is entineritlikiie•lio meeVthe:erida
of justice, and to preserve the tights and ~ liberties
of ibe„citizen. In some senle, the , nceused - thay be
s',4d to enjoy this right in t ai tle , riee. 'lt W
true that you do not pass finally upon theluegtion
of :pill or innocence; tutu° in ort don-berm epcmitis
trial igr a criminal offence, except Opeti'lle(liiidlitg .
art;f i formal charge of the Grand Julk.„.4.this;yl4i
are.roarte in an especial manner, the guardians' of.
the innocent. It is no slight matter - fo. be broughtrtitn:C.f i art on a criminal charge 7 -10:0'e . :ilie) titian
.i;
to plead to an indictment, to be the objeoto.puv...c.l
dEltioikly—it may be, of uncharitabhir Supleian
and fe - liwalt all th- 'of ,a feriin j s 'izia . piot act.
, ..e forms t 1
..., r
eit : ttial r -even though ad iverance comes at last.
The-itinotent man feels tat he has been degraded
by an unjust actusation: lie has been restored ,to
liberty, iherrnonthS of Intense and sleepless-anieh'
ty, dud' }lii' exietidihire, it. ay be; Orii i ,goo .parf
,cd .. idS.6abgaglefil. Oll4. iscikifoutUiitaneitl,, %timid,
:veryeatarallytieel, thrft -in livid case' the law bad
been'madr 6 the instnrinent of oppireesiert. 1 The in:
rtecenl E,tipoa be pretted 'trent: the taiiif,ofia - ftifse
aUcurtatioa,,and fern :)fieartaieiy a'arke" ApitiSe, in..,
*seemble from a-public . triaW , It is eminently-your.
deity tdetTord to the in nocent this ProtetArti. Pro-:
seentiottaereoft'e s n inslifated'withiifpsfeattS,6; anti
from motives of private Malevolepie. You cannot,
he too.vigilant , inanteningrill such cases, and when'
found, ahoultrahlepon theist-the mark of_ your dis.-
- aPprobtekn. ' For this intryxose.thi latirimil given
you P9ler.iglilllitOso:*c.ts upon'ol POAP-0 116 . 1 7; 'in
cesliio l APlfna,P;;. l 4 6 .liYx_A.:lV, ll : 4 .,R.fi,z4ACDPV.
4111 % 0 4 imillie indiettnent , is a felony,.ther-you,
,have no .contrBlover costa; Aw agetterarrule,, if
•the crime is charger( sui Idtviiii;'bettl .3 feloaltaiSly
BE
^'E.Aa.,Zt.Ct,,txPl.., •
=MS
MEI
=
committed—if the words felonious, RI , feloniously.
sie - nasd in the indictment, the crime Initrigt:a
ielo
nyi and you. have co power over the question of
costs,:,..ln all indictments where theSe mortis are
not found, in ease you return "Not a Wen bill,"
,yon Should say whether the County' or the
cuter:altpatdpay,the'costa of preeecutinti and if
the lauer, you should narnd'him. -You ought to be
reasonably assured of the trutlvot the chstO laid in
the indictment , - Wain youteturn it ""A True Bill."
That high Jagine -of certainty, witinh alone would
iustier the Traviise Any in' returning a verdict ,o!
grifithis not required , in the finding of an indict.
ment ;Yet there Should exist a striareprobability of
the.gellt of the pereop or. perserut charged—teproba'
bility not rotting upon suspicion,nr tease and uncap.
laindestiliTony,Ant sustained by eiltiOnee °indite.
blein character, and clearly ithplicitingithe
cased. You have but one side of the Caserpresent.
ed to you-.-you•hear only the evidence in behalf
•of the State!' This should induce` you to a tliorci',
rind scrutinising examination of the s witnesse!, as
well to enable' you to reach the real facia of the
case, as to•discover the motives- that prompt the
prosecution.
While it is, yonr,duty ro throw around the inno
cent the 'shield of your proteetion—to_distiounte
nance trivial and unfounded prosecutions—to watch
vigilantly ihat the law is not matle'theinstrtiMent
of oppreiSiOn, of the meahs for tho'gratificatiik of
priate"hatred or Oriel ibe,—it is no leas your duty, to
lend active and efficient aid in bringing the guilty
to punishment. If you are remiss in yOur clutietrin
thii respect=—ifthiough'werslineis,timidity, or ma ,
tivis less excusable; you fail to charge se against
whom there is established a strong bability of
gnilt—you make the law powerle. , and give im
punity to crime. The othei bra aof this Court
—nay, all the min &nets of the w."-are Impotent to
reach the guilty ofiender i •if e Grand Jury fail in
the fearless diaeircrge of is duty,. Ye° are in a
great measure respensible for the peace, order, and
well•beirtg of the society oT which you form a part.
Your jurisdiction, as an enquiring and informing tri
bunal,eitends' to all matters abitth ings affecting the
publiopeace arid public morals Yqu are bro't toge
ther from every part of the counti;iliat the Jury oil .
a body, may be well informed touChing its general'
morals and social condition.. ft iciany part of the
comity, dieie efilt grievances of a pubru tica f ffre,
fectint, the genera there be tolerated open
and flagrant vices, corrupting to the public morals;
eaposirg the young to temptation, and tending to
immorality and lice=li is yonr dii4 to present all
each matters to the Court, when the proper kepi'
still be,taken to suppress • the evil, and •to punish
those who encourage and maintain it. Ot this cha-
Meter are ail tippling-hOdse's; and (daces of habitu
al resort for the idle and intemperate, 'Pliers is per
mitted an open profanity and looseness of conver
sation offensive to decency and morality—places of
accustomed and 4onstant resort - for gambling—and
houses Of debauchery and licentityagness. Thk you
may be free froze every improper restraint, in.prer
&muting your enquiries over this wide field of pub
lic dtrty, the law has enjoined - secrecy in your de
n beratiOris.
" An act l'or the suppression of Gambling," was
passed on the 16th-day of February, 1847, by which
the keeping of any-bootie, room, or teniment to be
it.Sed and occupied for gambling, or the renting; by
the owner of.any such place to be used for such a
purpose s or it the owner know that it is so used and
occupied, and does not make complain , memer, in
oiliest - it 'there crises, the person offending is pun
ishable by indictment, and fine ,not less than fifty,
nor more than five hundred dollars
If any person keep any gambling table Of appara
tus- lo win money or other property, or it he shall
engage ir. gambling for a livelkhhod, or shall be
without any fixed residence AO i the-habit or
practice of gambling, lie shad be deemed and taken'
total a common gambler,and - upon conviction pun
ished at hard' labor in the Perriteridary riot less than
min noivriore than lire,years.,; an4i Teisedahall
by invitation persuade •another In visit any plaice,
kept for gamblin#, he shall be re4nrisible - for the
money iostiliroith such invitatliai, anti fined in a
sjite out less than' Ofly more than di.plitirOrid
dollars. ftia Made iftit dil,ly.of ell tslierifle ,. Coneta-•
Nes andirmsecuting aticiMaytt to-infotm and ircise:
mini ail offenders against this ant, anttfor the Magi'
to gibe ii in cluirge to the cititt4 itart. YirS will
note,. tilat„it is keeping a room, house or tenement_
forthe porpate of gambling, that ismade punishable
by this act. The occasional gambling in a hduje
or"roorn, but one not fitted Op - and kept for this'pur
pose, iP indictable at common law, would not rid)
withiq Ihri act unkler .. consideration. !'
dap
its provisions apply 1021,110 whci May Ontr;sio n 'aity!
to him 'Who collowS
oi ivtio flaying no fixed ratidango 7 is, in the habit
or practioo of this vice.
•
It is made diesxpress duty of the, Court to call
youunttention , to certain , provisions-of .4'An Act Re
gracing flanks," paesi the `l6thrir April, 1850;,
by piohiblted the Circulation at trans Tel of
any bank mite, bill; car:lnca:a or atiknoirledrgment
of indebtedness, purporting to be fF bank note, or of
Quo nature, character or appearaneebr'a bank note,
oalettlateil fat' cnculaticM, by any inept : por t,.
ties of association - of', persons.not loo'ated I'enn
eylvania, of a less denomination' than the dollars;
and in addiiitm-to - oentiin civil
. penaltiei, it IS Ile
elated that any Violation of the hiiegoing pro Visions
sh4l'he aS' a thi l derfieanor; and opou
conviction is punished by fine, not less than. one'
dolls, end mit exceeding-ono hundred dollars; and
ft it Made the'dinf of the Several 'grand juries 'to
Make presentment of
, any person within their re:
speetive pi:nities guilty _cll. aE viplation.orthe
visions to which .I have speciallyvidled your atten
tion, • . • . •
Yon are , aware, gentlemen, tlial yon can, take no
actit!ri aga 10i 4 0 4
,anillUY* l l,o;lii
of you..irgeo-intl noneariopnoh.a,etion.:..,
MEM
- Kflicii.:44q.lody Who, tippkiiiit boots `w ben`
plasute' 4 =
MMZ!=
ENJ
i'n' s '
••
i • 'l¶ rl.
IMES
• Snrue one Mentioned 'to us.' Ilia oilier, day. 1(04
marks the Kairkcrborter,) the circumstances of a
fat querulous tellovr, who was driven from a.itige
coach brpassengant whom - he hid ammyed - with
his growling and enniittaintrif It-vigor was lighted
when;at therprecaticerted moment, one of the pas
'angers, . , .
"For heitteil .ll Fa* sir, psit out that firct.L .. ,
have four pounds of gunpowder in any °vacua
pocket:'
" Driver, driver afarsfiltop, ellersittnar
rim odthia" gWtpowder "Let, mitnot4:4ol
me out, There is a man lierervritb gonpowilet ja
his pockets, and hall blow us all to the—."
. The complaimmt gM ,00t, in no midi, ' horirotral
tha,p2ascmgers thenceforward printed their even
tenor Otilfei; wayonnlisturbed by ,his briber
noyance .
,This anecdote reminds us of an occurrince %da
once took, place. at the long and picturesqtre
t hititlge
over the Cayuga lake---that middle-westellt bpfier
.of which sugcess of defeat in the time .of pordieal
excitement is now predicted. A wag from gym
cuse, who tdith satire halt dozen frierids Awl been
desportmg at the pleasant and ffLaftishing vilfa i r of
imeca Fails, detertniped, on'approrbing;:tha . ,lo,ll
gate in a sleigh, one •stormy night, to 4 1 rots, the
bridge," t , •
" Lie t down, boys," said he, "in the eleio and
when we get under the gale groan a little an 4 ptali
ble, but not over-do if.
_Here get dndei theise hatee
blankets"
They tikif so, and when, the rdemh i ' came a rAfdar
he bridge, they began to moan and isitake et( ttiat,
it was piteous to sem and even to hear."
".I have
. noiliing less thin a ten-dollit f.)111;'
said our wag, handing the gate keepernliahrnot l e
but for heaven i s.sake change ii just as cluick As
ever you can I iiave - three friends in tlitii eleigit,
who are almost dead with the small.pos, ind rns
in a—"
, .
" Drive;en--drive on," said the ce.rilluXVlll
keeget,. tack the bdl ; entry
next time."
Above the whistling of the Fin 4 Inaenea.winil
Which swept over the frozen fake and the tranxi ;
ling of horse's get' midis Willa that night', the
gate-keeper heard the loild laugh of theiti wags,
proclaiming that he had been " taken in and done
tor."
Loviurriss.--`;"oung ladies, it is not Oar neat
Areas, your expen s ive findire.
that attract the attention of men of sense. h is ror
character die, study. "Ii you are triftint N.lnt loose
in your conversation—na,matter if yob twO beauti
ful as an augcl—you have no attraction for them.—
It is the true loveliness of your nature that win,
and continues to retain the aflections of the heart.
young ladies sadly miss it who labor to improve
their outward looks„w bile they beak:4oot a thought
on their minds. Fools may be lima by the gew
gaws, and the fashionable by showy dresses; but
the wise and subs'atinal are never caught by sneh
traps. U. pleasant and rgreeable language,, end
though you may not be Conned by the fop and the
sap, the good and truly groat spill love to. linger - in
your presence.
' WEIGHTS ANTI MILAIWRMI.--The followirig table
of the nuraber •of-pounds of various articles te, ■
bushel, may bed interest to our readers:
Of .shear, pbtlfritv. - • - -
Of shelled corn, Mty.six pounds.
'Of horn on the cob, seventy pbunds.
. .
Of rye, fifty-sir.
Of oafs, thirty-six pounds.
, 01 barley, forty-six
or potatoes, Aid!! pronds.
Of bran, twenty poinds-.
Of clover seed, sixty4Aunds.
Of timothy seed, forty-five pounds.
Of flux
, see 4, forty-five panfls.
di heafp seed; forty-fouApounds,,
Of tnickwheat, fifty-twapcniuds.
Of _blue grass seed, isrprieon posadir
o . l` .ca s tor beans, fatty-six posed'. '
Of dried peaches., thirty-threw poundir.
Of dried applas,.ivrentyflour pounds .
Of onions. sfty-.3etvea yOUnds. l
Of ikafttlaty-six pouuda..
VOnTL'SANO Docarvomrareltr.--4Vben tent
Twoderden and bk. Justice Richards were on . Ay
eticuit, they - Mike isited the t'athedral at Canterlm.
ty. The latter took notice of a mao there with a
very fine voice. h•Ah !" said Lord Tendgrden,
ti that's the only man:l &ht. envied,. When at'
achonl in thie 'oat 'we vele canditiOep.letgethfF
fo: thOlitlei's place, and he etuained it
"come here ; Kies, love. 'NOW tell whsti
dJoieb r e.t..r epen." " Don'i RnoW .
stupid * Whal is put-rotoulloot.waist e'er, Ably, i•
Come now, speak out. =I What dolou hiolt;lhesp- -
ish for I ' Answer rnettliremly—Thot is phi room'
.your waist every fritzileltutth;
but he osier, *med . me but , . .
Love is iir.trus—Lettreas Must. not, tract ton _im
plicitly to their visual organs. A - tender swain °bet,
reproached his inamorata with suffering a rival to
kiss her hand,''a fact which ahe indignantly denied.
" But .I awl it " Nay, then," cried the offended
fair one, 4, I. am now convinced you do not love
me, since yore believe yonr-eyee iir pieference to
my werdf!
A REaaose4—sonte one asking 111 r. Curran wh,
a countryman of hi* walked about London withhitt
brogue out his Month, he *aid Matte " PuPPf*ld
he did so in hope to catch the English accent.*
,SHARP.--A Yankee pc i llar, recent tnenJing sift%
Naill that one of the icons -kind of scythes . was so
sharp that they Rua; it on a (resin' Eantneky; 'anti
iffsbidow.cot tittifill's in off !
' • cojris faisf a* the girl fah!, 'Arlierr hee to?e r
cretioancril lker hair lie4u:iful.
NOMiO
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ffffid
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XIMEWIjiM CIL
;!f!
A Good One.
lEEE
ME
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