ACCESSION TO THE BENCH.
The August term of the year of our Lord 1800 of the Supreme Court of the United States had ad-journed at Philadelphia on the fifteenth clay of August and the ensuing term was fixed by law to commence on the first Monday of February, 1801, the seat of the government in the meantime having been transferred to Washington. For want of a quorum, however, it was not until Wednes day, February 4, when John Marshall, who had been nominated Chief Justice of the United States on January 20 by President Adams, and commissioned January 31, took his seat upon the Bench, that tue first session of the court in this city began.1 His characteristic letter of acceptance, ad dressed to the President, and dated February 4, 1801, was in these words: "SiR: I pray you to accept my grateful ac knowledgments for the honor conferred on me in appointing me Chief Justice of the United States. "This additional and flattering mark of your good opinion has made an impression on my mind which time will not efface. "I shall enter immediately on the duties of the office, and hope never to give you oc casion to regret having made this appoint ment. "With the most respectful attachment, I am, Sir, "Your obedient servant, "J. MARSHALL." On the same day, as is stated on the rec ord of the Supreme Court, his commission as Chief Justice, "bearing date the 3ist day of January, A. D. 1801, and of the Independ ence of the United States the twenty-fifth," was "read in open Court, and the said John Marshall, having taken the oaths prescribed by law, took his seat upon the Bench." * The scene was the court room, now taken possession of for the first time. The apart ment was semi-circular and spacious, the ceil1 Honorable Melville W. Fuller, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. "Honorable Horace Gray, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
ing was formed by groined arches, and col umns near the circumference followed its line. The heavy arches and massive pillars depressed the ceiling, and gave a sombre appearance, although crimson hangings be hind the bench and a shield above it, em blazoned with the arms of the United States lent some color to the room. On entering one could not have repressed a certain sense of solemnity and a con sciousness that it was the place of great transactions. The Bar was well filled. Sena tors had come down from their chamber and Representatives had come down from their hall, many of them personages of distin guished presence and of fame for eloquence, erudition, character and patriotism. Counsel had come from Richmond, Baltimore, Phila delphia, New York, Boston and other cities as learned and eloquent as the barristers who thronged Westminster: Ingersoll and Dallas and Edmond Randolph and Charles Lee and Tilghman and Hamilton and Dexter and others whose names we do not know. The announcement was made, "the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Su preme Court of the United States," and in the presence of the members of the Bar standing in respectful attention, the proces sion of the Judges ascended to their places and graciously saluted the great attendance. We cannot help thinking that those who, in whatever office and capacity, had part in the event, appreciated its significance and had a glimpse of what should there be done, the contentions of giants for the destinies of the Republic, the stately judgment, tender of the rights of the meanest citizen and setting forth the rules of truth and righteousness for the advancement of the race, I say we cannot help thinking that such witnesses of the scene could not repress a thrill of intensely exhila rating emotion And in the midst of his brethren, before that splendid Bar, stood the Chief Justice. Only forty-five years old, he bore a stamp and mien impressive in a singular way. He was tall and slender, his complexion was dark, his eyes twinkled with humor and dark-
