4194. JURY (Grand), Federal Judges and.—
The proceedings in the Federal court
of Virginia, to overawe the communications
between the people and their representatives,
excite great indignation. Probably a great
fermentation will be produced by it in that
State. Indeed it is the common cause of the
confederacy, as it is one of their courts
which has taken the step. The charges of the
Federal judges have for a considerable time
been inviting the grand juries to become inquisitors
on the freedom of speech, of writing,
and of principle of their fellow citizens. Perhaps
the grand juries in the other States, as
well as in that of Virginia, may think it incumbent
in their next presentment to enter
protestations against this perversion of their
institution from a legal to a political machine,
and even to present those concerned in it.—
To Peregrine Fitzhugh.
Ford ed., vii, 137.
(Pa.,
June. 1797)
