1018. BURR'S (A.) TRIAL, Grand Jury and.—
The favor of the marshal and the judge
promises Burr all which can depend on them.
A grand jury of two “feds”, four “quids” and
ten republicans, does not seem to be a fair representation
of the State of Virginia. I have
always entertained a high opinion of the marshal's
intergrity and political correctness. But
in a State where there are not more than
eight “quids”, how five of them should have
been summoned to one jury, is difficult to explain
from accident. But all this will show the
original error of establishing a judiciary independent
of the nation, and which, from the
citadel of the law, can turn its guns on those
they were meant to defend, and control and
fashion their proceedings to its own will.—
To John W. Eppes.
Ford ed., ix, 68.
(W.
May. 1807)