Previously, Balladeer’s Blog examined the first six Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court when six was the full roster on that court. For subsequent Justices click HERE.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SAMUEL CHASE
Served: February 4th, 1796 – June 19th, 1811 (Died)
Some Highlights: This man signed the Declaration of Independence and – President Thomas Jefferson’s ugly 1805 attempt to impeach and convict him notwithstanding – Chase’s legal brilliance was such that he is considered an early proponent of BOTH substantive reading of supra-legislative concepts into the U.S. Constitution that aren’t explicitly spelled out in the document AND of the Strict Constructionist approach calling for very narrow and literal interpretations of the Constitution. Here in 2026 those two approaches are still in opposition to each other.
Comment: In my opinion nobody from either side comes out looking good in Jefferson’s attempt to have Chase removed from the Supreme Court. Samuel himself was somewhat strident in his opinions from the bench about his obvious siding with the Federalist political views of George Washington, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. On the other side Jefferson made it clear he wanted Chase impeached and convicted because he disagreed with his political views.
Samuel Chase’s trial in the Senate after he was impeached is often noted for Jefferson’s behind-the-scenes meddling and for the way Jefferson’s appointed Chief Justice John Marshall – who presided over Chase’s trial – appeared to openly side with the president who appointed him rather than remain neutral.
Jefferson’s allies in Congress failed to convict Chase, who remained on the Supreme Court, and that is often pointed to as a victory for judicial independence.
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