Existing comment:
1789-1835: The Jay, Rutledge, Ellsworth, and Marshall Courts
Chief Justice John Jay, 1789-1795, Appointed by Washington
Chief Justice John Rutledge, 1795, Appointed by Washington
Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, 1796-1800, Appointed by Washington
Chief Justice John Marshall, 1801-1835, Appointed by J. Adams
Home Sweet Home:
Following the location of the federal government, the Court moved several times in its first ten years.
* 1790, New York City
* 1791-1800, Philadelphia
* 1801-present, Washington DC
Chief Justice John Marshall by the Numbers:
4 -- John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice
34 -- Years of service, longest ever for a Chief Justice
1 -- "Opinion of the Court," a practice institutionalized by Marshall. Previously the Justices often wrote their own opinions.
508 -- Number of Opinions of the Court he authored
3 -- Marshall served in all three branches of government: as a US Representative, Secretary of State and Chief Justice
What to Wear?
Many of the Court's traditions were determined early in its history, such as what to wear. Drawing inspiration from English tradition, the Justices settled on simple black robes.
On Their Best Behavior:
Think it's a job for life? Justices actually hold their offices during "good Behavior," but can be removed from office through impeachment, similar to a president.
Only one Justice has faced an impeachment trial. In 1804, Samuel Chase was accused of expressing political beliefs from the Bench. Chase was acquitted on all counts which was seen as a victory for the independence of the Judiciary.
The Final Word:
Several cases during this period defined the Court's role in the federal government. The first case in which the Court used the power of judicial review -- the power to rule acts of the other branches of government unconstitutional -- came in Marbury v. Madison (1803). In so doing, the Court stated clearly that it would be the final authority on interpreting the Constitution.
Going to the People:
In addition to hearing Supreme Court cases, each Justice rode a circuit, or region of the country, acting as a circuit court judge. The Justices disliked this aspect of their job as travel was difficult, accommodations were poor, and they were away from their families for extended periods.
Testing New Waters:
Much of the early Court's docket was filled with maritime trade cases such as:
* Murray v. Schooner Charming Betsy (1804)
* US v. Cargo of Ship Fanny (1815)
* Two Hundred Chests of Tea (1824)
1789: US Constitution Adopted
1790: Supreme Court meets for the first time
1793: Chisholm v. Georgia
1803: Louisiana Purchase
1803: Marbury v. Madison
1807: Seventh seat added to the Bench
1810: Fletcher v. Peck
1812-1815: War of 1812
1814: British burn US Capitol
1819: McCulloch vs Maryland Dartmouth College case
1820: Missouri Compromise
1823: Monroe Doctrine proclaimed
1824: Gibbons v. Ogden
1825: Erie Canal opens
1830: Indian Removal Act leads to Trail of Tears |