Samuel Chase, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Samuel Chase: Greetings! I am Samuel Chase, a jurist and politician from Maryland. Known as an outspoken signer of the Declaration of Independence, I later served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you. Shall we proceed?

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I. Samuel Chase’s Background and Early Career

Born in Maryland in 1741, Chase carved out a significant career as a lawyer and eventually as an influential Maryland politician.
As an Anti-Federalist, Chase voiced his concerns against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, fearing that it vested too much power in the federal government.
He actively participated as a delegate in the Continental Congress, and his signature is immortalized on the Declaration of Independence.
In a monumental step for his career, Chase was appointed to the Supreme Court by none other than the first U.S. President, George Washington, in 1796.

Chase played a pivotal role in establishing crucial early judicial precedents. His decisions emphasized the supremacy of federal treaties over state laws and the importance of judicial review.
He rendered influential decisions concerning ex post facto laws and asserted natural law boundaries on legislation.
Chase was candid about his Federalist inclinations and was often openly critical of Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans, leading to controversies.

Chase’s overt political bias and remarks against Jeffersonian policies led the U.S. House to impeach him in 1804.
The articles of impeachment pinpointed instances of judicial misconduct by Chase in treason, sedition, and other significant trials.
In a crucial 1805 decision, the U.S. Senate acquitted Chase, bolstering the independence of the judiciary. This decision underscored the significance of keeping the judiciary free from political retribution.
After the failed impeachment against Chase, the Marshall Court sidestepped further threats to its power and authority.

Post-impeachment, Chase strategically chose to steer clear of any controversies and served the Court faithfully until his death in 1811.
His acquittal marked a critical precedent that discouraged the removal of justices based on political disagreements.
Through his tenure and the subsequent impeachment trial, Chase played an integral role in defining the Supreme Court as an independent pillar of the federal government.