John Marshall: Definer of a Nation

I bought the book about a year ago and was reminded of it at an event recently where Chief Justice Roberts, citing this book as the best biography of John Marshall, mentioned that if he could work with anyone, it would be Marshall. The book is rather conventional biography and chronicles Marshall's life rather well though I have four major complaints. 1) On pg 189, the author mistakenly refers to Hamilton as a governor of New York [he never was, this stuck out to me as odd, since Hamilton consistently had conflicts with the state government], 2) the discussion of Marshall's views on the Alien and Sedition act and first amendment failed to mention at all, the scholarly work on the Framer's understanding of the first amendment and how show more that is shaped by Blackstone's views on prior restraint [scholarly work indicates that many Framers thought the first amendment only prohibited prior restraint, not seditious libel, while this book seems to indicate that most people thought the Sedition act was violation of the first amendment] 3) the general use of the high Federalist, federalist and republican labels without regard to the nuances of the first "party" system, where there is at least a good argument that politicians did not think of themselves in permanent parties. The Federalists thought of themselves as the government, while the Republicans thought of themselves as a temporary faction that would dissolve after overturning the "tyranny" of the federalists. 4) the normality of having judges also be involved in politics, which the author seems to recognize and contradict himself by portraying it as an unusual practice.

However, those complaints aside, the book is a good chronicle of Marshall's life. Marshall comes off as fascinating character, who was a political moderate (though this may be overwrought in the book), who had good personal relations regardless of cross politics (except with Jefferson his cousin, they apparently hated each other) and knew how to have a good time [often dining out and famous for his love of wine]. The book covers Marshall's time as a light infantyman in the revolution, to his legal practice, state legislator [and previous state experience that demonstrated that he was a convert to the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers from a young age], his role in Virginia's ratification convention, envoy to Paris, Congressman, secretary of state and finally Chief justice (while having the time to write a definitive 5 volume biography of Washington). It was interesting to me that Marshall had been nominated and senate confirmed for a few positions, but turned them down in order to focus on his private practice. It seems like a primary reason he was one of the envoys to the XYZ affair was to find private financing for his Fairfax land acquisition deal (but he so honorably handled the affair, that he was widely celebrated by the country and even political enemies such as Patrick Henry). Marshall apparently only ran for Congress (off of an anti-Alien/Sedition platform) after being beat browed into it by Washington.

Being a law student, I of course was mostly interested in Marshall's time on the court. The biography stresses a few themes of Marshall's cases which are the generally strongly pro-Union stance taken, cases that helped anchor early capitalistic growth in America (particularly in not allowing state legislatures to impair contracts, and corporate charters as well as striking down a state granted steam boat monopoly), and the unamity that Marshall encouraged along with a keen moderatism that gave something to all sides (in Marbury for example, Marshall pleased republicans by finding that the court could not issue a writ of mandamus by striking down the congressional statute that gave the court authority to issue the writ, the first case to claim judicial review). The book stresses the very purposeful unamity that Marshall strived for in the decisions (helped by his congenial personality) to give clearer guidance to the bar and enhanced the reputation of the court (something Jefferson hated and thought allowed justices to be lazy and be manipulated by Marshall). The descriptions of the major cases are pretty standard, with a good background and summary of the holding. I was pretty interested in the role of the court in Burr's treason trial, which definitively rejected constructive treason in favor of a very strict textual reading of the constitution's treason clause (also an unflattering portrayal of Jefferson's eagerness to disregard due process and judicial independence to convict Burr). It is unbelievable to me how vulnerable the court was in the early stages, which Congress and Jefferson agitating to strip the judiciary of its independence, or state rights theorists who attacked the nationalist decisions that the Marshall court handed down. Overall a recommended reading, though I cannot confirm the legal analysis, not having taken constitutional law yet.

The book was also filled with some pretty fascinating anecdotes. While courting his future wife Polly, Marshall has his marriage proposal turned down. Marshall simply got on his horse and rode away, until Polly sent after him with a lock of her hair. After their marriage Polly wore the lock of her hair in a locket until she died, at which point Marshall wore the locket until he died. In another story, Justice Story related to his friend that the court only drank wine when it was raining, but Marshall after asking Story to feel the weather outside the window always responded that the court's jurisdiction was so wide it must be raining somewhere! Marshall apparently was famous for being slothenly dressed, in one anecdote while he was shopping in the market, a man who recently moved into the neighborhood and did not recognize the Chief Justice paid the justice a tip to carry his turkey home for him. show less

- My first book by JES and it was outstanding…so good I will definitely purchase and read his other biographies on Grant and FDR
- John Marshall life was remarkable. (1) Soldier of the Revolution…served under Washington at Valley Forge, battle of Brandywine, Germantown and Yorktown. When the British invaded Virginia served under Gen Von Stueben. (2) Delegate during the Virginia ratification of the Constitution. The battle with Patrick Henry (who led the opponents of the constitution) was a great read in this book. (3)1 of 3 delegates to France during the “XYZ” affair. (4)While briefly in politics, Congressman and Secretary of State for President Adams, was highly influential and exhibited remarkable leadership/political skills. show more (5)Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court for 34 years. Dominated the court and established the court as an independent/powerful branch of government.
- Enjoyed JES research into Marshall’s family ancestors. The history/events of Marshall grandmother, Mary Randolph Keith, is tragic/heartbreaking story. While Jefferson and Marshall were cousins, Mary Randolph Keith and her family was disowned by the powerful Virginia Randolph family and Jefferson side of the family flourished.
- Huge political difference between Jefferson and Marshall is highlighted in this book in a fair and balanced manner. Jefferson was angry that even after a slew of Jefferson/Madison Republican Supreme Court appointments Marshall continued to dominate and speak for the court. Jefferson was not for an independent Supreme Court and did not support judicial review…the power to strike down laws that were unconstitutional
- My favorite chapter was “Mission to Paris (XYZ) Affair”. The French and specifically Foreign Minister Talleyrand were unbelievably arrogant demanding a bribe and loan as a condition to negotiate with the American delegation. When the negotiations broke down Jefferson blamed the American delegation and demanded release of all documents in support of the negotiations. Adams played pro-French to a fault Jefferson like a violin…Adams agreed to Jefferson’s request for released of the documents that resulted (in Jefferson’s horror) in a firestorm of anti-French sentiments and quasi-war with the French. Also of note from this chapter was the inexcusable behavior of Elbridge Gerry (one of the 3 US delegates). Upon returning from Paris the American backlash against him was tremendous and I believe well deserved
- Marshall was most historically famous by his effective leadership in transforming the US Supreme Court. Before Marshall the US Supreme court lacked respect. Specifically, (1) No one of significance would take the job as Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court (2)Court would frequently not have a quorum of justices available to render a decision (3)Justices of the Court were very political and active with political parties. (4)Court rulings were not based on Federal Law or the Constitution
- Marshall was not only brilliant, he was also a modest and decent individual…his only real enemy was Jefferson. Marshall was friends with both Madison and Monroe (both of which were mentored by Jefferson)
- After reading 19 books on the Revolutionary War Effort…I would rank Marshall’s impact behind only Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson and Franklin. I would argue that Marshall impact as a Founding Father of the Revolutionary War Era is greater than President Adams, Madison and Monroe. In terms of greatness (not impact) I would rank Marshall behind Washington, Hamilton and Franklin and ahead of Jefferson. After the revolutionary war individuals such as Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson and the two political parties (Republicans and Federalists) all had different views of the power of the new Federal government and the form of government, however, it was Marshall that defined the nation and the rules of the government (just like the title of the book title implies). show less