Description:

Supreme Court Justices Archive Featuring Woodbury, Story, Scalia and Others!

Group of (4) letters and (1) booklet from various Supreme Court Justices. Please see below for further content and condition information:

1.) Smith Thompson ALS, 8" x 9.75", 3 pp on a bifolium, December 25, 1820, Washington, D.C. Addressed to his son Gilbert Livingston Thompson, who was married to the daughter of Vice President Daniel D. Tomkins, giving his opinion on a matter of business. Pencil notations present in the front left corner. Creasing to corners, with toning and foxing throughout. Boldly signed on 3rd page.
Reads in part: "to make you the notary [myself] would, I am fearful have a bad effect in a variety of ways. Our political opponents as well as all disappointed men would turn it to our prejudice… you had better consult the vice president, and if you please shew him this letter or mention to him my opinion and perhaps it will be most advisable for him to have a communication with the collector on the subject."
Thompson (1768-1843) was nominated for his seat as associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1823 by James Monroe, and would go on to serve until his death in 1843.

2.) Levi Woodbury LS, 7.9" x 9.9", 1 pp on a bifolium, April 11, 1832, n.p. Letter signed by Woodbury regarding the proceedings of a court case to a Captain Joseph L. Kahn. Pencil notations are present on verso. Foxing and tearing to the edge of the last page does not take away from the quality of the text and signature.
Reads in part: "You are at liberty, however, to take a copy of the findings of the Court, or the whole proceedings, at any time, that may be convenient to you…"
At the time this was written, Woodbury (1789-1851) was serving as Secretary of the Navy under Andrew Jackson. Later in 1845, President Polk nominated him for the position of Associate Supreme Court Justice, which he retained until his death in 1851.

3.) Joseph Story ALS, 8" x 9.875", 2pp on a bifolium, September 14, 1833, Cambridge, MA. Letter signed by Story giving his opinion on the taking of sides in a family matter related to his sister Eliza, and her husband Captain Joseph White Jr. Toning to edges and some creasing throughout. Evidence of restoration on inside of last page. Overall fine condition with bold signature!
Reads in part: "…it is impossible for me to sit as arbitrator to decide the controversy. It should be left to some disinterested and impartial person out of the family… The fact is that I feel a deep attachment to my sister; & I have always been upon the most friendly terms with Mr. White."
Joseph Story (1779-1845) became an associate justice of the Supreme Court under James Madison in 1812 and held the seat until 1845. Throughout his career, Story presided over serval historic rulings, such as Swift V. Tyson and the United States V. Schooner Amistad.

4.) Tom C. Clark ALS, 8" x 10.5", July 7, 1945, Washington D.C. ALS from Tom C. Clark responding to a request for an autograph. On letterhead from the Office of the Attorney General. Small pencil notations are present in top right corner, with minor creases and imperfections to paper. Evidence of prior matting on verso. Boldly signed in green pen.
Before becoming associate justice in 1949, Clark (1899-1977) served as the 59th Attorney General under Harry Truman, where he worked to enforce civil rights efforts from within the Federal Government. He was succeeded by Thurgood Marshall upon his retirement in 1967.

5.) Antonin Scalia Signed Booklet, 4 pp, 11" x 8.5" (opened), February 20, 1992, Charlottesville, VA. Event program for the 16th Charles L. Decker Lecture in Administrative and Civil Law, in which Justice Scalia was the main speaker. Minimal folding to front cover, overwise very good condition. Boldly signed on third page in blue felt tip pen.
Scalia (1936-2016) was first appointed associate justice in 1986 by Reagan, and served until his death in 2016. His time on the Supreme Court was notably marked by his originalist interpretations of the Constitution.

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University Archives

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