The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01408 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1802 |
| Title | William Floyd to John Smith discussing the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801 |
| Date | 31 January 1802 |
| Author | Floyd, William (1734-1821) |
| Recipient | Smith, John |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Expresses his pleasure at the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801 and believes it will make Republicans throughout the United States happy. |
| Subjects | Republican Party Judiciary Law Congress Supreme Court Government and Civics |
| People | Floyd, William (1734-1821) Smith, John (1752-1816) |
| Theme | Government & Politics; Law |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Floyd was a delegate to the Continental Congress from New York 1774-1776, 1779-1783, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Smith was a representative and senator from New York. The Judiciary Act of 1801 reorganized the judicial system, reduced the size of the Supreme Court from six justices to five, and eliminated the justices’ circuit duties. To replace the justices on circuit, the act created sixteen judgeships for six judicial circuits. The unpopular act was promptly appealed by Thomas Jefferson and the republican Congress at the beginning of his term in 1802. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |