This collection contains letters written between Bushrod Washington, Joseph Story, John Marshall, and other justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Bushrod served as a justice from 1798 until 1829. The justices frequently sought out each other’s opinions on matters of legal application and interpretation, especially for controversial cases such as McCulloch vs. Maryland. These letters show how influential each member of the Marshall Court proved in shaping the early-American judiciary.
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I received a few days past your letter inquiring whether the defence of the opinion had been correctly republished in the Alexandria paper.
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Before I proceed to business, I must account for my long but involuntary silence.
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Altho I have been at home upwards of six weeks, yet this is the first day when it has been in my power to write to you.
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Your letter of the 11th July found me upon a bed of sickness, from which I was not very soon relieved.
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It has given me inexpressible pleasure to receive a letter from you; for the newspaper statement of your indisposition led me to fear that you were quite ill— I rejoice that you are so much recovered… Continue Reading From Joseph Story, 9 Dec. 1826
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The Chief Justice informs me that you are to draw the opinion in the Case of Bell & Wilkins &c. I stated to him that a night's reflection had induced me to chan… Continue Reading To Joseph Story, 15 Feb. 1828
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I have never, that I can recollect, refused to comply with a request similar to that contained in your letter of the 8th inst.
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As Mr Sparks will probably leave this in a few days for Boston, I have determined, altho but half settled at home after an absence of 4 or 5 months, to prepare my letter to you that it may be ready f… Continue Reading To Joseph Story, 21 May 1827
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Since the date of my last letter to you I have been led to a more critical examination of the question which arises in the case of the Post master general vs Reeder viz if th… Continue Reading To Joseph Story, 12 June 1827
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Your favor enclosing the residue of the examination in the case of Fries I received upon my arrival at this place, the former having come to hand a few days sooner.
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Upon my arrival at Baltimore about the first of the month, I heard from Judge Chace, with great concern that you were too much indisposed to attend the Supreme Court.
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I have just closed a very laborious autumnal circuit, in the course of which many highly important questions have been decided— I would send you an abstract of them, if I could command leisure just now; but my whole attention is… Continue Reading From Joseph Story, 2 Jan. 1814
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The court which has just terminated has furnished some business for your Honors at Washington.
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I have this instant received yours of the 24th.
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After my return from Phila. I recd your letter requesting me to furnish you with the opinion delivered in the above case.
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I received your letter expressing your wish to know the principle decided in the case of the Bank of the U.S. v Dandridge’s securities.
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I reached this place yesterday after a very fatiguing journey, & found all our brethren well, & all of them joining me in sincere regrets for your indisposition.
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I have at length returned home, after an absence of between 4 & 5 months, and I employ the first moments of leisure in reporting to you & brother Story the most interes… Continue Reading To Smith Thompson, 24 May 1827
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I received this morning yours of the 26th.
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You will receive with this some printed reports which are all that I can get on the subject of your enquiries.