CHAPTER XVII. Judicial Districts, and District Courts: 1. WE come now to the lowest grade of United States courts, excepting the local courts in the District of Columbia, and the Territorial courts. A United States District court is held by a District Judge, in every district. Every State constitutes at least one district, several of the larger States are divided into two, and some into three. There are at the present time 59 Judicial Districts, and consequently the same number of District Judges, District Attorneys, District Clerks and Marshals. The Judges, Attorneys and Marshals are all appointed by the President and Senate; the clerks by the respective courts. TERMS. 2. By the law of 1789, every District Judge was required to hold four sessions a year, at such times and in such places as Congress directed. This is done to this day in a great majority of the States; but by later laws in some of the districts, only two or three sessions a year are required. JURISDICTION. 3. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction in all admiralty and maritime causes. These relate to maritime contracts, and to crimes against the laws of the United States committed on the sea, and on navigable lakes and rivers. It embraces in this country all contracts respect ing vessels and navigation; such as chartering, repairing, and fitting them out, seamen's wages, &c., &c. They have in some cases concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts, in cases of piracy, and exclusive cognizance of cases where seizures are made for a violation of the revenue laws, or laws relating to imposts and navigation; and causes against consuls and vice consuls where the amount claimed does not exceed $100. In short, they have concur. rent jurisdiction with the circuit courts, of all crimes against the laws of the United States, the punishment of which is not capital. The trial of issues of fact in all causes, except civil causes of Admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, must be by jury. 4. Appeals are taken from these courts to the circuit courts. The judges are appointed like those of the Supreme court, for life, or during good behavior, and receive various amounts as salary, some more and some less, according to the amount of services to be performed in their respective districts. 5. When vessels are captured in time of war, either by the public armed vessels, or by private armed ships, the facts and circumstances of the capture must be brought before a United States circuit or district court, for adjudication; when the vessel and cargo, are either condemned as a prize, or restored to their owners. When either of these courts adjudicates such cases, it is called a Prize Court. 6. For the same reasons, given for showing the composition of the Judicial Circuits, in a condensed form, we will here give the number of Judicial Districts in each CHAPTER XVIIL Court of Claims. 1. THIS Court was established by act of Congress in 1855. A brief extract from the law itself, will best explain the object of its creation, its jurisdiction, powers and duties. The law reads thus, "A Court shall be established to be called the Court of Claims, to consist of three judges, to be appointed by the President and Senate, and to hold their offices during good behaviour; and the said Court shall hear and determine, all claims founded upon any law of Congress, or upon any regulation of an executive department, or upon any contract express or implied, with the government of the United States; which may be suggested to it by a petition filed therein; and also all claims which may be refered to said Court by either house of Congress." 2. On the third of March, 1863, the jurisdiction of this Court was enlarged, and two additional judges appointed, [making 5,] from the whole number of which, the President was authorised to appoint one a chief justice for said Court. 3. The mode of commencing proceeding before this tribunal is by petition; in which the claimant must fully set forth his claim, how it arose, its amount, and the parties interested therein. After the case has been heard and determined, the Court reports to Congress what its decision is, and if favorable to the claimant a bill is passed for his relief. 4 It holds one session a year, in Washington, commencing on the first Monday in October, and continuing as long as business before it requires. It not only tries claims against the government, but by its enlarged jurisdiction conferred in 1863, it also tries counter claims, and sett-offs, which the United States may have against the claimant. Appeals are taken from the Court of Claims to the Supreme Court of the United States, when the amount in controversy exceeds $3,000. 5. Before the establishment of this Court, the only remedy persons having claims upon the Government had, was, by petition to Congress for relief; which experience proved to be, a long tedious and expensive mode of obtaining their dues. The petition now goes to this Court, where it is heard and adjudicated in the same form, and by the same rules of procedure which are observed in other courts; for Congress has conferred upon it all the powers commonly possessed by other courts of law. It also has a seal. 6. It has greatly facilitated the settlement of claims against the Government, and has relieved Congress of a great amount of labor, which was urgently pressed upon it at every session. 7. In addition to the five Judges, it has a Solicitor, an Assistant Solicitor, and a Deputy Solicitor, all of whom are appointed by the President and Senate; and are officers of the Court, whose duty it is faithfully to defend D |