John Marshall autograph letter signed ("J. Marshall"). One page, 6" x 7.75", no place, [Richmond, Virginia?]; no date [circa 1788]. John Marshall writes concerning his remarks at the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1788. Letter by Marshall (1755-1835) to an unidentified recipient in which he discusses his recent remarks at the Virginia Ratification Convention. The letter reads, in full: "I received your note of Saturday respecting my remarks of the preceding day in the House. I never suspected you of an inclination to present me to the public in a less favorable dress than that in which I had presented myself. It is undoubtedly true that the idea I had intended to convey appeared in a form rather more unintelligible than that in which I had supposed it to be communicated to the convention; but it is quite possible and even probable that the confusion in language is imputable to myself rather than to the stenographers. Having been very long out of the habit of rising in public debate it is quite probable that rising unexpectedly to myself on the spur of the occasion, I may have so pressed myself in an indistinct as well as hurried manner. At all events, the affair is too unimportant to require explanation or to be recollected." Signed, "J. Marshall". After the U.S. Constitution had been drafted in September of 1787, it was sent to the states for ratification. The Virginia Ratifying Convention met in Richmond from June 2 through June 27, 1788. The convention of 168 delegates from the state met and the pro-and anti-Constitution forces were evenly matched. Marshall was among the ranks of those delegates who supported the Constitution. Marshall, one of the youngest of the delegates, spoke on several occasions, including Friday, June 20. It is this speech, in which Marshall claimed that the Constitution's plan for the judiciary was an improvement over that created under the Articles of Confederation, that Marshall discusses in this letter. The Virginia convention ratified the Constitution by a vote of 89 to 79, with Marshall voting in the affirmative. John Marshall (1755-1835), born in Virginia, was a politician and lawyer who served as the fourth chief justice of the U.S. from 1801 until his death in 1835. He served as the secretary of state under President John Adams until 1801, when he was appointed to the Supreme Court. He is remembered as one of the most influential justices ever to serve. During his tenure on the court, the foundational Marbury v. Madison case was heard in 1803. In Marshall's opinion for the court, he upheld the principle of Judicial review, which allowed courts to strike down federal and state laws if they conflicted with the Constitution. Prior to 1801, the majority of cases were decided at the state level, and the Supreme Court was seen as largely inconsequential. However, this decision solidified the separation of powers between the federal and state levels and established the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government. Also included is a steel engraving of Marshall, circa 1833. Condition: Silked. Heavily dampstained and soiled. Closed tear, since repaired by silking, crosses signature. Two small holes which do not affect text. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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