SUPREME COURT – MARSHALL, John. Autograph letter signed ("J Marshall") to Arthur St. Clair, as Secretary of State, Washington, 9 June 1800.

Two pages, bifolium 249 x 198mm, with integral transmittal leaf franked ("J Marshall") and addressed in his hand (losses from seal tear affecting a word of text, light scattered foxing, portrait affixed to lower left corner of address panel, light scattered foxing). Additionally docketed by Arthur St. CLAIR (1737-1818). Matted and framed.

Connecticut cedes the Western Reserve. Marshall writes to Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory at Cincinnati on the resolution of a longstanding territorial claim by Connecticut: "In pursuance of an act of Congress authorizing the President to accept for the State of Connecticut of the jurisdiction of that territory commonly called the western reserve of Connecticut, an act has been passed by the legislature of that State relinquishing all right of jurisdiction over that territory, & a deed has been ex[ecuted] by the property authority conveying the same to the United States." Noting that that the deed had been deposited at the Department of State, "the entire jurisdiction over that territory commonly called the western reserve of Connecticut is now completely vested in the United States," and asks that Governor St. Clair take "proper measures" to extend U.S. jurisdiction over that territory. Connecticut had claimed a 120-wide strip of land in the Northwest Territory based on a "sea-to-sea" grant by Charles II in the late 17th century. The colony's and subsequently state's attempts to assert its claims in Pennsylvania in the 18th century fueled the Pennamite-Yankee Wars. Although Connecticut dropped its claims in Pennsylvania at the end of the War of Independence, it held fast to its claims in present day Ohio, Indiana and Illinois until 1800.

[With:] FRANKFURTER Jr., Felix (1882-1965) Autograph note signed to Mr. Schaull, 14 April n.y. "For many hundreds of years — Indeed thousands — the wisest men have speculated on the subject of 'lasting peace.' I cannot add to this wisdom." Written on Supreme Court stationery. Framed with a portrait. [Also With:]TANEY, Roger B. (1777-1864). Autograph note signed as Chief Justice to "Mr. Meecham", [Washington], 15 July 1857. Requesting information on an act of the Maryland assembly. [Also with:] TANEY, Roger B. Autograph document signed, Frederick County, [Md.,], 1805. A legal brief concerning a suit for debt. Both note and document famed together with a portrait. Together, four pieces.