What Are The Causes Of Marbury V. Madison

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Marbury v. Madison is possibly one of the most important Supreme Court case in United States history. The events that caused and effected Marbury v. Madison was the end of John Adams Presidency, the undelivered commissions, the trail, and the establishment of the judicial review. The result of this court case has made a tremendous impact to put the Constitution above anyone that conflicts with it.
There are many attributions to the causes of Marbury v. Madison. One of the attribution is the end of John Adams Presidency. In the 1800 election, Federalist, John Adams lost to Democratic Republican, Thomas Jefferson. Due to the loss of his presidential campaign, Adams established the Judiciary Act of 1801 and appointed “Midnight Judges”. The Judiciary …show more content…

These four men were nominated by the former president, John Adams, and their nomination was confirmed by the Senate, but they were unable to assume their jobs because of the undelivered commissions. Lee requested a writ of mandamus and ordered James Madison to hand over the commissions. Lee explains that these men have a right to their commissions and job. These four men has also met with Madison to request their commissions, but Madison rejects they by announcing he is busy and should ask the State Department clerk which was clueless about the commissions. This case was taken to court mid-December, and announced the preliminary decision. In the hearing, the four men states that they have been “credibility informed” about their nomination, conformation, and the preparation of their commission. Unfortunately, Madison refuses to hand the commissions over and he has shown no reason to withheld them. Although, he court is unable to issue to writ of mandamus ordering the delivery of the commissions, Jefferson and Madison must justify their reasoning of withholding their commissions and blocking them from assuming their posts. This court case resumed in February of 1803. Chief Justice Marshall and several other justices were present in this court case. Attorney General Lee is a …show more content…

In court Lee faced a problem, he had to establish the evidence to prove that these men were rightfully appointed with integrity. He showed the panel of judges the existence of the commission appointing the three men into office. The commission was also enforced with the president’s nomination, and the Senates conformation to assume office. He also showed the judges that the commission were not sent to its rightful owner. After presenting this information, Lee could now argue that the unsent commission did not destroy the rights of these men, but the illegal actions made by the executive branch forbidding their ascension and that the Secretary of State should follow the law and hand over the commissions. Madison, the State Department, and the Senate refused to provide evidence to Lee, but the Supreme Court would rather hear the evidence to determine the situation. The first witnesses were the State Department clerks, Wagner and Brent, they initially refused to testify, claiming that they cannot disclose any information about their work, but eventually took an oath and testify. The first to testify was Wagner and Lee asked him what he understood about the commissions for the plaintiffs. Wagner replied saying that the did not see the commissions, but when the three men sought out Madison for their commissions Wagner saw that two of the commissions were signed. The next person to the stands were Brent, he

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