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Hopes Bushrod's health will improve so he can come visit at the end of the month so they can deliver opinions on various cases including the one from Virginia "which has exerted so much commotion in our legislature." The case involves an act of Congress allowing a lottery in Washington, D.C. with ticket sales in Virginia contrary to Virginia law. See JK/159l/V5/Rare Book (Virginia)/].

Scope and Contents A letter of James Keith Marshall's informed John Marshall of her return from Chickahominy; hopes that the celebrations of the 22nd did not disturb her too much; Judge Bushrod Washington is not well; John Marshall is very busy at Court; dines out frequently and eats too much; does not attend the continual gay parties in Washington. Including letter on verso from John Marshall to his son James Keith Marshall, asking about the health of Jacob, one of the slaves; tells him to purchase as much...

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Hopes his health was not injured by his traveling to Philadelphia to perform his circuit duties; mentions case in his circuit involving merchants indebted to the U.S. on duty bonds; recommends the writings of Algernon Sidney.

Scope and Contents Asks his opinion of legalities of a case concerning insolvency and priority of payment to creditors; the Supreme Court opinion in the Lottery case virulently assaulted in the newspapers, especially by Algernon Sidney in the Enquirer who is "supposed to be the champion of the state rights...[but] really is the champion of dismemberment;" is anxious to hear if Joseph Story and Daniel Webster's amendment to the Massachusetts constitution was approved by the people or not. Original is located in...

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Discusses legal principles of partnership, joint property and the priority of the payment of debts under English and American bankruptcy laws; writes of the federal government; reports on the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention; will send on the next vessel for Richmond some Salem fish and a recipe on how to cook them.

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Thanks him for his opinion on the case on which he John Marshall consulted him; has enclosed the letter from Mr. James Madisonto General Washington which John Marshall had selected last winter but forgot to send; discusses the legal matter of inland and foreign bills and hypothecation relating to the New York case.

Scope and Contents Is grateful for his expressions of esteem; hopes the harmony of the bench will never be disturbed; discusses Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's doubts of the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of the constitutional questions; comments upon Jefferson's character and influence over the people; encloses Algernon Sidney's essays with their weak argument and violent language; in the Virginian newspapers "not a pen is drawn in support of the sound principles of the constitution of the...

Scope and Contents Has received the fish and will cook it according to instructions; discusses Mr. Hall and his intended publication of Algernon Sidney's essays and asks if he Joseph Story can prevent it; Mr. Caedwell has not yet sent the volume of the debates of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention; discusses the designs of the Democratic-Republicans in attacking the Supreme Court; questions him about a case involving William McKinly, a tax collector, and his depositions. Original is located in the...

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Asks him to join him at dinner on Tuesday at 4 o'clock.

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Makes arrangements for Tazewell's deposition to be taken on 23 May; if General Robert Barraud Taylorand Mr. Blair are out of town, send for magistrates and have the necessary steps taken.

Scope and Contents 2 pages. Photostat of Autograph Letter Signed. Has received the President's message to Congress concerning internal improvements, "a question which very much divides the opinions of intelligent men;" "a general power over internal improvements, if to be exercised by the Union, would certainly be cumbersome to the government, & of no utility to the people. But to the extent you recommend, it would be productive of no mischief, and of great good;" he John Marshall despairs that such a...

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Has found in the Journal of the House of Delegates that the bill for confiscating Lord Fairfax's estate passed in January 1786, but was defeated in the Senate; discusses the role of the Supreme Court in deciding cases relating to treaties; will not be at Happy Creek before 6 August; will also visit Cumberland, Mr. Colston's and maybe Bath.