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Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress has started details of the Supreme Court and the fed. judiciary. 13 districts were created in principle cities. The Supreme Court, with Chief Justice and Associate Justice, were the main courts of appeal.
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John Jay was the first Chief Justice. Former president to the Continential Congress, George Washington appointed him to serve on the court. He served for 5 years and then became gov. of New York.
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President John Adams appointed Sec. of State, John Marshall, to becom the Chief Justice in 1801. He served for 34 years, whcih was the longest tenture of any of the Chief Justiceses.
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William Marbury appointed John Adams to serve as justice of peace. It was John's last few days in office. A petition started, because Marbury wasn't fully issued his position. The Supreme Court gave the position to him and checks and balances were introduced to the gov't.
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Georgia divided 35 million acres into 4 tracts, and sold them to different companies. The land was exchanged for bribes, so the selling stopped. John Peck sold land to Robert Flecthcer, and was sued because selling the land was invalid. The Supreme Court decreed that the land wouldn't be taken away.
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Dred Scott was once a slave from Missouri. During the 1840's he returned and demanded that he should become a citizen. Since he was a former slave, the Supreme Court denied his freedom.
