John Marshall autograph letter signed ("J Marshall"). One page, 7.75" x 9.75", no place, [Washington, D.C.?]; March 4, 1816. Integral address sheet. Docketed. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall declines a dinner invitation from fellow Virginian John Randolph of Roanoke due to busy court schedule. Letter from Marshall as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court to John Randolph (1773-1833) of Roanoke, in which he diplomatically declines a dinner invitation due to a heavy court schedule. The letter reads, in full: "When you asked me to dine with you on wednesday next the inclination I felt to gratify myself with the pleasure of your company was so strong that I was incapable of declining the invitation. But the judges have pledged themselves to each other to continue at home for the purpose of conferring on the cases under consideration & I cannot absent myself from our daily consultation without interrupting the course of the business & arresting its progress. This, in the present state of things, would be peculiarly unfortunate as we have several cases before us which remain undecided. That you saw us yesterday at Mrs. Dawsons was no breach of the rule, because we have not applied it to sundays. That day is passed by three of the judges with their families, & our conferences are of course broken up. I regret very sincerely that official duties compel me to deny myself a gratification for which I feel the strongest inclination." Signed, "J Marshall". 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 hand-colored engraving of Marshall by Johnson, Fry & Co. and an engraving of Marshall by T. B. Welch. John Randolph (1773-1833), commonly known as John Randolph of Roanoke, was an American planter and a politician from Virginia, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives at various times between 1799 and 1833 and in the U.S. Senate from 1825 to 1827. Randolph served as Minister to Russia under President Andrew Jackson in 1830. Condition: Heavy toning with some soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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