Page:The Supreme Court in United States History vol 1.djvu/72

46 he wrote. "Considering the judicial system as the chief pillar upon which our National Government must rest, I have thought it my duty to nominate, for the high offices in that department, such men as I conceived would give dignity and lustre to our National character, and I flatter myself that the love which you bear to our country and a desire to promote the general happiness will lead you to a ready acceptance of the enclosed commission which is accompanied with such laws as have passed relative to your office."

On Monday, February 1, 1790, the day appointed for its organization, the Supreme Court of the United States met in New York, in the Royal Exchange, a building located at the foot of Broad Street. "The Court Room at the Exchange was uncommonly crowded," said the newspapers of the day. "The Chief Justice and other Judges of the Supreme Court of this State, the Federal Judge for the District of New York, the Mayor and Recorder of New York, the Marshal of the District of New York, the Sheriff and many other officers, and a great number of the gentlemen of the Bar attended on the occasion." Since, however, in spite of the importance of the event, only three of the Judges were present. Jay, Wilson and Cushing, the Court adjourned to the next day at one