John Marshall Autograph Letter Signed "J Marshall." One page, 6.5" x 8", n.p., n.d. Addressed to Andrew Reid of Rockbridge, Virginia, Marshall discusses a legal matter concerning the recipient, in full: "The chancellor has decided your cause & by his decision you would have been entitled to the settlement but not to the preemption. There is however an appeal to the court of appeals. The cause must be prosecuted in that court. I cannot tell what the decision there will be." Address panel and remnant of a red wax seal on the verso.

Andrew Reid (1751-1837) was a Revolutionary War veteran from Lexington, Virginia, who served as the first clerk of the Court of Rockbridge County. In April 1790, Marshall received from Reid a power of attorney to Marshall. In a letter dated April 26, Marshall replied to Reid that he had received his letter and that his "attendance is not necessary. You may rely on my taking the expeditious steps with your cause." (The Papers of John Marshall, 2014) Marshall acted as attorney and later received payment for the case Reid v. Burnside and the letter offered in this lot could be in reference to that case.

John Marshall (1755-1835) served as the U.S. secretary of state under President John Adams from 1800 until his appointment as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1801. Marshall is the longest serving chief justice in the Court's history, holding the post until his death in 1835.

Condition: Folds. The text shows some light ink blooming and there is separation of the upper horizontal fold at the left edge. Small .75" tear at the lower edge and minor paper loss from being opened.

Reference: The Papers of John Marshall Digital Edition, Charles Hobson, editor. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2014. Accessed September 8, 2015.