Judge Peckham Jury Charge Concerning Military Commission

[Steve]

Judge Peckham's speech was reprinted in numerous newspapers across the country in May 1865, but it was only reprinted in parts so it was difficult to find a copy of the whole speech. Eventually I found the speech reprinted in the May 16, 1865 edition of the local paper, The Argus of Albany, New York:

   

Judge Peckham gave his speech following his charge to a Grand Jury being empaneled for the Court of Oyer and Terminer at Albany City Hall on May 15, 1865. (Peckham was the Supreme Court justice who presided over that court.) The article specifically mentions the Grand Jury investigating

• Violation of the Excise law
• The vending of lottery tickets
• The taking of Usury
• Extortion
• The purity of the Elective franchise