Tag Archives: U.S. Supreme Court

September 1, 2026 · 9:46 am

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SAMUEL CHASE

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.  Continue reading →

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August 20, 2026 · 11:26 pm

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WILLIAM PATERSON

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 WILLIAM PATERSON

Served: March 11th, 1793 – September 9th, 1806 (Died)

Brethren on the Court: Chief Justices: John Jay, John Rutledge, Oliver Ellsworth and John Marshall. Associate Justices: William Cushing, James Wilson, John Blair, James Iredell, Samuel Chase, Bushrod Washington, Alfred Moore and William Johnson.

Some Highlights: Paterson helped write the U.S. Constitution in 1787. This made him one of the very few Supreme Court Justices qualified to weigh in on the “original intent” of the framers.

      While riding his Circuit, William presided over the trials of the people indicted for treason for participating in the Whiskey Rebellion. He wrote the Court’s decision in Penhall v Doane’s Administrators (1795), which ruled that America’s current federal courts had jurisdiction over Prize Cases, not any of the American courts which preceded the U.S. Constitution. Continue reading →

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August 14, 2026 · 6:20 pm

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE THOMAS JOHNSON

Previously, Balladeer’s Blog examined the first six Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court when six was the full roster on that court. Here is a look at the 7th Justice, appointed by George Washington to fill the vacancy of Associate Justice John Rutledge, who resigned.

ASSOCIATE JUSTICE THOMAS JOHNSON

Served: September 19th, 1791 – January 16th, 1793. (Resigned over poor health.)

Brethren on the Court: Chief Justice John Jay. Associate Justices William Cushing, James Wilson, John Blair and James Iredell.

Some Highlights: Johnson served the least amount of time out of all Supreme Court Justices ever. He wrote the Court’s decision in Georgia v Brailsford (1792) which established that the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over suits and cases involving states. Riding his Circuit, Johnson heard the initial trial in Ware v Hylton, which dragged on for years and wasn’t settled until long after Thomas had left the Court. Continue reading →

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June 11, 2026 · 8:04 am

THE ORIGINAL SIX JUSTICES OF AMERICA’S SUPREME COURT

Here’s a look at the six-Justice Supreme Court when the Court was first established.

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN JAY

Served: October 19th, 1789 – June 19th, 1795. (Resigned)  

Some Highlights: West v Barnes, the first case which saw arguments take place before the Supreme Court. You want a quick turnaround? The arguments were heard on August 2nd, 1791 and the decision was published the very next day!  In the 1794 case Glass v The Sloop Betsy, Jay’s Court ruled that France could not use its American Consulate as a prize court.  Chief Justice Jay adopted a professorial role of sorts, writing explanatory items on procedures and the rudiments of federal governance at every opportunity for the benefit of lower courts and practicing lawyers.   

Comment: During the Revolutionary War, John Jay served as a colonel in the 2nd New York Regiment. Continue reading →

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June 25, 2012 · 8:47 pm

LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Two of the worst presidents in history walk into a bar …

 Welcome back to the favorite site of Independent Voters! This is Balladeer, America’s favorite loose cannon of the Culture Wars! Actually I’m far from famous but you have to admit the expression “America’s favorite loose cannon of the Culture Wars” really kicks ass! As always this is the only site on the web that criticizes both Liberals and Conservatives equally.

Following today’s Supreme Court decision on illegal immigration which, surprise, surprise, struck down part of the law being reviewed AND upheld part of the law being reviewed, both sides are claiming victory. Many of my readers are from overseas and they’ve been asking me about the political gibberish that Liberals and Conservatives spout about immigration laws here in the U.S.

For starters, ignore EVERYTHING either side says in which they pretend to be taking a principled stand. None of it matters and it’s all just a smokescreen to obscure the truth of the matter. That truth is that American Liberals and American Conservatives all Continue reading →

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