Extremely Scarce John Marshall Autograph Signed Letter
Single page autograph letter signed. Penned on recto and verso. Dated "July 2, 1789", and signed by John Marshall "J. Marshall" to the verso. Near fine with expected folds, hint of rubbing, and several expertly reinforced and mended tears, none of which affect the text. Scarce.
Marshall was the preeminent jurist of his time, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for 34 years and who established the precedent, for better or worse, of judicial review in the Court ruling in Marbury v. Madison. Here, Marshall as a practicing lawyer addresses a client identified as John Hatley Norton, a member of the firm of John Norton and Sons of Virginia and London, the above being the company's Yorktown base.
"In the claim you inquire into concerning your fathers debtors … Your appeal with Mr. Page would have been tried last court had that gentleman lived till then, his death has prevented a decision & no person has as yet qualified as his executor against whom the suit may stand revivd. I delivered … the letter you enclosed me but he returned no answer. Instead of bringing a suit in chancery to perpetuate your testimony respecting the land you way you ha[ve] purchased & paid for it would I presume be better to bring a suit of a conveyance… Your suit with Corbin will be tried in Fredericksburg next fall. No plea can… be put in, it must be tried on the issue already made up…"
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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