Address of the Petit Jury of Cheraws District, to Judge Drayton

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May it please your Honour:

As your Charge at the opening of the sessions contained matters of the highest importance to every individual in this Colony, as well as to the Grand Jury, to whom, in particular, it was delivered, we, the Petit Jury for the District of Cheraws, beg leave to testify our great satisfaction, and to return your Honour our warmest acknowledgments for so constitutional a charge at this alarming crisis, when our liberties are attacked, and our properties invaded by the claim and attempt of the British Parliament to tax us, and by their edicts to bind us in all cases they deem proper; a claim to which we will never submit, and an attempt which we are determined to oppose at the hazard of our lives and property; being fully convinced, that by the Constitution of this country, we owe obedience to no human laws but such as are enacted with the consent of our Representatives in General Assembly. These being our fixed sentiments, we lake this opportunity of publickly declaring them; and we would esteem it a particular favour conferred on us if your Honour would direct your charge to be printed, that the benefit arising from it may be as diffusive as possible, and that it may remain as a pattern of that constitutional language which a Judge should deliver, who is above Ministerial influence, and knows no master but the Law.

CLAUDIUS PEGUES, Foreman.