George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Cyrus Griffin, 30 May 1790

From Cyrus Griffin

Richmond [Va.] May 30th 1790

pardon me, Sir, that I take the freedom to disturb your anxious moments, to congratulate you and my Country on the most happy recovery from your late Indisposition. the last mail has brought to us that pleasing and most important Intelligence, the reverse of which would have thrown this Country into despair and confusion. I hope to heaven the malady may operate as the renovation of health, and will continue the blessing unto a very distant period.

as the first Circuit of the Supreme Court in my district was holden the other day I think it my duty to inform you, Sir, that the Court was complete, that an excellent charge was given by Judge Wilson to the best Grand Jury that perhaps have been assembled under the new Judiciary, and that all the people p[r]esent seemed perfectly satisfied with the proceedings throughout.1

may I presume to offer my respectful Compliments to mrs Washington. I am, sir, with every sense of admiration, Gratitude, and respect Your most obedient Servant

C. Griffin

ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.

1The first U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Virginia convened in Charlottesville on 22 May 1790 with Associate Justice of the Supreme Court James Wilson and federal judges John Blair and Cyrus Griffin present. Wilson presided and delivered a charge to the grand jury on the role of juries. Having no further business, the court adjourned to the next term (for the text of Wilson’s charge, see Marcus and Perry, Documentary History of the Supreme Court, description begins Maeva Marcus et al., eds. The Documentary History of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789–1800. 8 vols. New York, 1985-2007. description ends 2:33–45).

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