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Supreme Court Group Lot. ...
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Description
Supreme Court Group Lot. Includes:Samuel Nelson Autograph Letter Signed "S. Nelson." Two pages, 5 ½ x 8 inches; no place, March 12, [18]66. A letter to an unknown recipient advising that his case may not be heard in the present term because the Court is hearing the preferred cases from Mississippi and after that, preferred cases from other Southern States. He sarcastically remarks that there is "no time to hear a case of any difficulty or value," knowing full well that these upcoming Reconstruction related cases from the Southern states were of the utmost import.
David Davis Autograph Letter Signed "David Davis." Three pages, 5 x 8 inches; Washington, November 5, 1874. Marked "Personal," Davis has written to noted attorney and future diplomat Edwin W. Stoughton regarding their mutual friend, Supreme Court Justice u /u Samuel Nelson: "The letter I wrote to Judge Nelson was never answered until a few days before I left home. I began to fear that he was offended at the freedom with which I wrote him, for as you are aware the subject was a delicate one to handle & I should have shrunk from presenting the question to him unless I had conceived it necessary to serve a friend - This is always a paramount object with me - I am happy to say from the tone of Judge Nelson's recent letter to me that he took no offense, but it is equally clear that I produced no result by writing. Judge N only referred to the point in a very few words, stating substantially that it was impractical to do anything & therefore he had not acted on my suggestion. He wrote that the pain in his back still continued & that he was not in a condition to meet with us though his general health was good & he had strong hopes of ultimate recovery. It is very clear to me that he will never be here again. Confidentially, he ought to resign - If he remains absent this Session, you will find that the newspapers will take it up and insist on his resignation as Congress has provided for the continuance of his salary - A graceful retirement now will save him, you may depend on it, many unpleasant comments. Several lawyers have spoken to me on the subject, & I am quite sure that the dissatisfaction existing on the subject will manifest itself. Knowing your fondness and attachment to Judge N must be my apology for calling your attention to the matter. The Chief Justices' health [Salmon P. Chase] is very poor & I don't see how he can possibly discharge the duties of his office - He is perceptibly weaker that when we parted & his speech thicker. I pray you to present me most kindly to Mrs. Stoughton. Of course this letter is Confidential - We are quiet here today. Though it really has been anything but quiet I suppose. As ever your friend, David Davis."
Just weeks after the date of this letter, on November 28, 1872, Judge Nelson resigned from the Supreme Court. Therefore Davis's lamentation that "I produced no result by writing" turned out to be incorrect - his friend accepted his advice after all. Sadly, Davis was also prescient about Chief Justice Chase, whose ill health Davis also discusses in this letter, as Chase passed away six months later on May 8, 1873. A poignant and politically savvy letter by Justice David Davis, a sitting Supreme Court Justice, about two other sitting Justices.
Roger B. Taney Autograph Letter Signed "R. B. Taney." One page, 5 x 8 inches; Washington, March 25, 1857. Taney writes just three weeks after issuance of the Dredd Scott decision to William H. Miller, regarding his election as an honorary member "of the Irving Literary Institute," and accepting it with pleasure.
Sherman Minton Autograph Letter Signed "Sherman Minton." One page, 6 x 9 inches; Indiana, July 22, [19]64 on Supreme Court letterhead to stating to an unnamed correspondent that he believes "John Marshall was the greatest & most effective Justice."
Peter V. Daniel Autograph Letter Signed "P. V. Daniel." One page, 8 x 10 inches; Richmond, March 22, 1847. To "John," he writes: "As soon as practicable after the 1st of April, I must start out on my Judicial Circuit in the far West. This long journey requires that I should take with me funds sufficient not only to cover ordinary expenses, which are by no means inconsiderable, but sufficient also to provide for any contingencies which may happen. This necessity makes it desireable that I should receive my salary for the current quarter as soon as practical after it shall be payable. I therefore write to request your aid in making such an arrangement as will enable me to receive it without delay. . . "
"Riding the Circuit" was an occupational hazard for Supreme Court justices in the 18th Century and this letter makes clear that it was no picnic to do so. Justice Daniel's Circuit meant literally traveling by horse to the "far West" and being ready for any and all "contingencies" that might occur as he travelled to various local courthouses that did not have a sufficient number of judicial officers. A far cry from his duties as a Supreme Court Justice hearing appeals of lower court decisions in Washington DC.
William Cranch Autograph Document Signed "W. Cranch." Five pages, 8 x 12 ½ inches; no place, May 1, 1841. A lengthy writ as circuit court judge regarding Appending Seal of the Court to Bill of Exceptions in "New England Bank vs. Bank of Metropolis." Cranch served as the second Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Court.
Condition: Overall condition is very good, with usual transmittal folds. Nelson letter has two ink smudges on the first page. Taney letter has mounting strip to recto at left edge, obscuring a few letters; and mounting remnants to verso. Also, small split at horizontal fold at right. Cranch and Daniel letters have ink smears.
Auction Info
2024 April 5 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6285 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
5th
Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 273
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