Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/264

208 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS and as such introduced a bill to amend and extend the judicial system of the United States, by includ ing in the circuit-court system six new states, and by increasing the number of judges of the supreme court to nine. His speech in explanation of this measure which was not adopted at the time was as important as any that has been made upon the subject. Another measure, evincing a thorough knowledge and very accurate views of the nature of our mixed system of governments, was a minority report, presented by him as chairman of this committee, against a proposition to repeal the 25th section of the Judiciary act of 1789, which gave the supreme court appellate jurisdiction, by writ of error to the state courts, in cases where the constitution, treaties, and laws of the United States are drawn in question. This report caused the rejection of the bill by a vote of 138 to 51. During Mr. Adams s term the friends of the ad ministration began to take the name of national republicans, while the opposing party assumed the name of democrats. Mr. Buchanan was one of the leaders of the opposition in the house of representa tives. He was always a strong supporter and warm personal friend of Gen. Jackson. At the close of the 21st congress in March, 1831, it was Buchanan s wish to retire from public life, but, at the request of Gen. Jackson (who had be come president in 1829), he accepted the mission