Mr. Harper. State what happened on that occasion.
Mr. Purviance. I do not pretend to recollect every thing which occurred; but as I attended to what Judge Chase said in his charge to the grand jury, I think I have a pretty distinct recollection as to the manner in which he delivered that address; he appeared to me to read the whole from a written paper lying before him. I never expected that this inquiry would have been made of me, and after such a lapse of time I can only speak of the impressions now on my mind.
Mr. Harper. Do you recollect whether Judge Chase made any mention of the present Federal Administration, and what was it?
Mr. Purviance. I have no recollection that he mentioned it, but as it was identified with the repeal of the law for establishing the circuit court of the United States; and so far as the Executive composed a part of the Legislature, he may have mentioned the Administration.
Mr. Harper. Was there any particular mention or allusion to the Executive of the United States?
Mr. Purviance. No, sir, nothing of the kind; I have endeavored to retrace in my mind every thing which was said, and I have not the smallest recollection that any remark was made upon the Executive Department of the United States.
Nicholas Brice, sworn.
Mr. Harper. Please to inform this honorable Court whether you were at a circuit court held in May, 1803, when a charge was delivered by Judge Chase to the grand jury.
Mr. Brice. I was there and attended to the charge very particularly.
Mr. Harper. Did he say any thing respecting the present Administration?