Superior Court, February Term, 1827

The Grand Jury for the county of Clarke (GA), at the close of their services, during the present term, feel gratified in having observed, as they believe, a gradual improvement in the morals of the county, in some particulars. They consider it a source of real satisfaction to every virtuous mind, to remark that the impious and degrading vices of profane swearing and drunkenness appear to be of less practice than formerly. But they are sorry to be obliged to believe that there is another crime which is increasing in frequency and prevalence, viz: the profamation of the Sabbath or Lord’s Day by the secretly or privately retailing and selling liquors and other merchandize to slaves on that day, directly in violation of the law, both of God and the State. This the jury believes principally because of negligence on the part of those officers whose duty it is to see that the Patrol Law be strictly enforced especially in the towns and villages and country stores in the county.

The Jury, therefore, present as a grievance, the neglected persecution of the Patrol Laws; and recommend to the proper authorities to do their duty and see that the statutes on this subject be particularly attended to in order to prevent evils from occurring arisimg out of inattention to duty, which are to be greatly deprecated.
We present also as a grievance, the bad condition of our public roads, as we believe that the laws on this subject are explicit and sufficient if they are enforced and executed. We do therefore recommend to the Inferior Court to do their duty and to fine the Commissioner of Roads, if they neglect theirs, in order that our roads may be immediately repaired and put into such a condition as the law on that subject requires.

And although swearing and drunkenness are not so prevelant among us as formerly, yet the Jury, believing that the abolition of these vices, throughout the State would greatly conduce to the true honor and moral interest of the community, present as a grievance that there is no law in this State at the present for the punishment of these cases; and do earnestly recommend to our Senator and Representatives in the next Legislature, to exert themselves in order to obtain an amendment of the existing laws on those subjects.

We return our thanks to his Honor the Judge, and also to the Solicitor, for their faithful attention to the business of the present Term. And we recommend that the preceding remarks and presentment be published in the Athenian

MOSES WADDEL, Foreman, MILNER ECHOLS, JAMES LANGFORD, W. M. DAVENPORT, WHITE ROSSETER, ADRIAN N. MAYER, ELIZAR L. NEWTON, WILLIAM EPPS, JOHN W. HARPER, T. HANCOCK, WM. WILKINS, JNO. PURYEAR, THOS.ECHOLS, D. KINNEY, W. H. JACKSON, H. ELDER, H. THURMOND, J. GERDINE.

On motion of Green W. Smith, Solicitor General, it is ordered, that the presentments be published as requested.

The foregoing presentments are truly copied from the Minutes of the Superior Court of Clark county this 22nd February, 1827.
ROBERT LIGON, Clerk