Charge, Delivered to the Grand Jury, of the City & County of Norwich, on Friday, Jan. 18, 1793

Extract

GENTLEMEN, It is always with peculiar pleasure that I embrace any opportunity of addressing you in the character and office in which you are this day assembled, namely, as a Grand Jury, to enquire for the body of this city and county.- Those who reflect on the many and important benefits which the community derive from the services resulting from the impartial and diligent execution of the trust reposed in you, cannot but contemplate with satisfaction so wise and excellent an institution, and cannot but feel happy in enumerating and particularising the various duties which, by that institution, are confided to you.- Your oath, which is so properly adapted equally to convey instruction in your duty, as to enforce the obligation to the performance of it, renders it unnecessary for me to enlarge on the general outline of the great trust, which you are this day called on to discharge; I shall only say that it consists in making diligent enquiry in whatever offen- [4] ces may exist, and to present the offenders to the Court, unawed by fear, unbiassed by prejudice, uninfluenced by reward.