Trial of Judge Chase.
TRIAL OF SAMUEL CHASE, AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, IMPEACHED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, BEFORE THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
[TAKEN IN SHORT-HAND BY SAMUEL H. SMITH AND THOMAS LLOYD.]
This trial was one of the events of the day, greatly exciting party passions, and taking a scope which gives it historic interest, both for the persons concerned, and the matters involved. The account of it is greatly abridged here, but it is believed all is still retained which is necessary to the full knowledge of the case, and to a just conception of the skill, learning, eloquence and ability with which the trial (both the prosecution and the defence) was conducted. The formal charges are omitted, as being sufficiently shown in the pleadings; the testimony of witnesses limited to their principal statements; and the speeches only given in their essential parts.
[The following report of the trial of Samuel Chase has been drawn up with the greatest care. To guard against misconception or omission, two individuals, one of whom is a professional stenographer, were constantly engaged during the whole course of the trial; and the arguments of the managers and counsel have in most instances, and whenever it was attainable, been revised by them. It is with some satisfaction that the editor of this impression is enabled, under these circumstances, to submit to the public a tract, whose fidelity and comprehensiveness, he hopes will amply reward the interest so deeply excited by the progress and issue of this important trial.—Editor National Intelligencer.]
MEASURES PRELIMINARY TO THE TRIAL.
On the fifth day of January 1804, Mr. J. Randolph, a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, rose and addressed that body to the following effect:
He observed “That no people were more fully impressed with the importance of preserving unpolluted the fountain of justice than the citizens of these States. With this view the Constitution of the United States, and of many of the States also, had rendered the magistrates who decided judicially between the State and the offending citizens, and between man and man, more independent than those of any other country in the world, in the hope that every inducement, whether of intimidation or seduction, which should cause them to swerve from the duty assigned to them, might be removed. But such was the frailty of human nature, that there was no precaution by which our integrity and honor could be preserved, in case we were deficient in that duty which we owed to ourselves. In consequence, sir,” said Mr. Randolph, “of this unfortunate condition of man, we have been obliged, but yesterday, to prefer an accusation against a judge of the United States, who has been found wanting in his duty to himself and his country. At the last session of Congress, a gentleman from Pennsylvania did, in his place, (on a bill to amend the judicial system of the United States,) state certain facts in relation to the official conduct of an eminent judicial character, which I then thought, and still think, the House bound to notice. But the lateness of the session (for we had, if I mistake not, scarce a fortnight remaining) precluding all possibility of bringing the subject to any efficient result, I did not then think proper to take any steps in the business. Finding my attention, however, thus drawn to a consideration of the character of the officer in question, I made it my business, considering it my duty, as well to myself as those whom I represent, to investigate the charges then made, and the official character of the judge, in general. The result having convinced me that there exists ground of impeachment against this officer, I demand an inquiry into his conduct, and therefore submit to the House the following resolution:
“Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the official conduct of Samuel Chase, one of the Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, and to report their opinion, whether the said Samuel Chase hath so acted in his judicial capacity as to require the interposition of the constitutional power of this House.”
A short debate immediately arose on this motion, which was advocated by Messrs. J. Randolph, Smilie, and J. Clay; and opposed by Mr. Elliot. Several members supported a motion to postpone it until the ensuing day, which was superseded by an adjournment of the House.