Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes a "private" letter to George Newbold asking for a copy of the letter he sent him on December 18, 1833. Taney wants a copy of this letter so he can better consult with some friends on how to address an allegation made against him. "I find...

Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney (Class of 1795) responds to a request for a sample of the late Chief Justice John Marshall's handwriting and a sample of Taney's own handwriting. While Taney does not have a sample of Marshall's writing, Taney notes that this letter can serve as a sample of his...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes J. Mason Campbell to defend a decision he made as Acting Secretary of War (June - August 1831) during President Andrew Jackson's administration. "When I acted as Secretary of War, I was [also] in office as Attorney General," and as Taney...

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to Henry Baldwin about the delay in payment for Baldwin's books. As Taney explains, "I have written to [the individual responsible for forwarding the money] requesting his immediate attention to the matter, if he has not already made...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney responds to Garret Dorset Wall's recommendation of former New Jersey Governor Peter Dumont Vroom for the vacancy at the United States Supreme Court. While he may hold Governor Vroom in high regard, Taney explains that he will not interfere in the...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to James Mason Campbell regarding the financial troubles of a family member. As Taney's brother "had drawn on me," Taney sends Campbell "the above to pay my brother's draft on me." Taney explains his concern that his brother "had not received...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, about his health and his daughters' unexpected visit. "I was quite surprised when the girls walked into my room," as Taney notes. However, as there is not enough room at that location, Taney explains that his...

James Buchanan writes A. Boyd Hamilton to discuss the details of a loan, Buchanan's decision to sell his house in Lancaster, and to criticize articles in the Pennsylvanian. "One great fault of the Pennsylvanian is its indiscriminate praise of individuals," as Buchanan notes. Transcript...

Roger Brooke Taney, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, writes to Mr. William Prescott Smith: "Accept my thanks for the 'Scientific American,' and the two pamphlets.... I was so much impressed with what I saw in my brief visit to the Institute a few evenings ago...." An engraving...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney writes President Franklin Pierce and recommends Lieutenant Colonel Taylor’s son, Francis H. Taylor, for an appointment “to the office of military storekeeper in Oregon.” Justice Taney argues that Francis is “well qualified for the appointment… and would...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes Deputy Marshall Samuel G. Phillips and asks for information about an individual who asked for an autograph. "Can you tell me any thing about the writer" because, as Taney explains, "I am not willing to send my autograph to a woman, of whom I...