DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. A por tion of the country, originally ten miles square, which was edded to the United States by the states of Virginia and Maryland, over which the national government has exclusive jurisdiction.
Under the constitution, congress is authorized to "exercise exclusive jurisdiction in all eases what soever, over such district, not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by cession of particular states and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of gov ernment of the United States." In pursuance of this Both ority, the states of Maryland and Virginia ceded to the United States a small territory on the banks of the Potomac, and congress, by the act of July 16, 1790, accepted the same, for the permanent seat of the government of the United States.
By the act of July 11, 1846, congress retroceded the county of Alexandria, part of the District of Columbia, to the state of Virginia.
The seat of government was removed from Phila delphia to the district in December, 1800. As it exists at present, it constitutes but one county, ealled the county of Washington.
It seems that the District of Columbia and the territorial districts of the United States are not states within the meaning of the constitution and of the Judiciary Act, so as to enable a citizen thereof to sue a citizen of one of the states in the federal courts. 2 Cranch, 445 ; 1 Wheat. 91.
The Judicial Power.
The supreme court consists of four justices, ap pointed by the. president of the United States, who hold office during good behavior. Of these, one is appointed as chief justice.
The supreme court possesses the powers formerly possessed by the circuit court for the district, and the judges severally possess the powers formerly possessed and exercised by the judges of the circuit court. Any one of said judges may also hold a district court of the United States for the District of Columbia, with the powers and jurisdiction pos sessed and exercised by other district courts of the United States. Any one of said justices may also hold a criminal court for the trial of all crimes and offences arising within said district, with the jurisdiction formerly exercised by the criminal court for the district.
Provision is made for holding general terms by three of the justices, and special terms by one of the justices. Jury trials, and equity cases in which DO jury is had, are also to be had at these special terms, except in certain cases.
The circuit court, district court, and criminal courts for the district are abolished, and the causes transferred to the supreme court. 13 U. S. Stat. at Large, 762.
Appeals from the decision of the commissioner of patents may be made to either of the judges. 10 Stat. at Large, 75. Appeals and writs of error lie from this court to the supreme court, where the matter in dispute is of the value of one thousand dollars or upwards, exclusive of costs, or where a judge of the supreme court may direct an appeal or writ of error, if the matter in dispute shall be of the value of one hundred dollars, exclusive of costs. The chief justice of this court is also authorized to deliver up fugitives from justice, or persons fleeing from service, in the same manner as the executive authority of the several states is required to do. It exercises an appellate criminal jurisdiction.
The orphans' court and the register's court consist each of one judge, appointed by the president and senate, to hold his office during good behavior. They have cognizance of all matters relating to the probate of wills, administration and management of the estates of decedents, and care of minors, includ ing the appointment and regulation of the conduct of guardians. An appeal ties from their decisions to the circuit court. Law, U. S. Courts, 238. See 14 Pet. 33 ; 15 id. 1.
Levy courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, composed of the magistrates of the district. These courts possess and exercise the same powers and perform the same duties and receive the same fees and emoluments as the levy courts nr commissioners of county for the state of Maryland. Law, U. S. Courts, 240.
Justices' courts may also be held by justices of the peace. See Act 1801, c. 15 ; 1823, c. 24; 1841, c. 11; 3 Cranch, 331.