114 NOMOLOGY. 



Laws, or Treaties of the United States; to all cases affecting ambas- 

 sadors, other public ministers, and consuls : to all cases of admiralty 

 and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies, in which the United States 

 are a party : to controversies between two or more states ; between 

 a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of different 

 states ; between citizens of the same state, claiming lands under grants 

 of different states ; and between a state or the citizens thereof, and 

 foreign states, citizens, or subjects. 



At present, the Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice, 

 and eight Associate Justices : and it holds one session annually at 

 the seat of government ; commencing on the second Monday in 

 January. It has original jurisdiction in all cases affecting ambassa- 

 dors, other public ministers, or consuls ; and in all cases to which a 

 state is a party. In all other cases, its jurisdiction is only appellate ; 

 that is, it may revise the decisions of the inferior courts, in cases 

 legally brought before it, by writ of error, or appeal. Congress has 

 created two inferior grades of courts, called Circuit and District 

 Courts ; besides Territorial Courts, for the territories belonging to 

 the Union, but not yet raised to the rank of states. The United 

 States are divided, for judicial purposes, into nine circuits, to each 

 of which one of the Judges of the Supreme Court is assigned, as a 

 Circuit Judge ; and they are subdivided into 34 districts, to each of 

 which a District Judge is appointed by the national executive. 

 Each of these latter judges is required to hold a District Court, at 

 least twice in each year: and in each district there is also held a Cir- 

 cuit Court, twice a year ; in which the Circuit Judge for that circuit 

 is associated with the District Judge for that district. 



The Circuit Courts have original jurisdiction, in various civil 

 causes, where the sum in controversy exceeds five hundred dollars ; 

 and they have also criminal jurisdiction, either exclusive, or concur- 

 rent with the district courts, over all crimes cognizable by the laws 

 of the Union, except official misconduct. The District Courts have 

 cognizance only of the less important cases ; and when an appeal is 

 made from them to the Circuit Court, the opinion of the Circuit 

 Judge prevails ; subject to a farther appeal to the Supreme Court. 

 The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, must be 

 by jury ; and if they were committed within the limits of any state, 

 the trial must take place therein. Treason is limited to levying war 

 against the United States, or adhering to their enemies, giving them 

 aid and comfort. 



4. On State Rights and Restrictions, we must here be very 

 brief. The powers not delegated by the Constitution to the United 

 States, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states 

 respectively, or to the people. No state can enter into any treaty, 

 alliance, or confederation ; grant letters of marque or reprisal ; coin 

 money; emit bills of credit; make any thing but specie a legal 

 tender; pass any bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, or law im- 

 pairing the obligation of contracts ; or grant any title of nobility. 

 No state can, without the consent of Congress, lay imposts, or 

 duties on imports or exports, for the sake of revenue ; nor can any 

 state keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace ; nor enter into 



