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03/28/2023

The debate between states' rights and federal power began after the Revolutionary War and continues today, with the Constitutional Convention attempting to grant more power to the federal government. The Constitution is a product of compromise between the Anti-federalists and Federalists, with the Tenth Amendment explicitly reserving powers not granted to the federal government to the states. The importance of following the Constitution is emphasized, and the course Constitution Alive! is recommended as an opportunity to learn more about the vision of the Pilgrim ancestors and Founding Fathers and engage in discussions and debates about our laws.
(https://rumble.com/v28whic-our-founding-documents.html)


--------
Do you want to learn more about what you can do to act NOW! and save our constitution.
(https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/wcid.html)

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✍️Learn about historical events that shape our future. Flashback to a Fabulous Future.
(https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4117/flashback-to-a-fabulous-future)

✍️ Join us on our learning Journey to Plymouth, MA on May 24-28, 2023. Learn more here.
(https://keap.page/ysn122/monument-to-our-fathers-tour.html)

✍️ Join our Constitution Alive! course beginning on March 13, 2023 at 7 pm eastern for 10 weeks. There is no charge for this course.
(https://www.patriotacademy.com/coach/register/5180)

✍️ Join our Bible Study Group. Study the Bible through the lens of our Founding Fathers. We use David Barton’s Founder’s Bible when we meet once a week on Sunday’s at 6:00 pm eastern. There is no charge for this class.
(https://thefoundersbible.com/)

✍️ To join our waiting list, sign up thru the following links:

For our Biblical Citizenship, and the American Campfire Revival courses. There is no charge for these courses.
(https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/membership.html)



#USConstitution #StatesRights #FederalPower #ConstitutionalConvention #AntiFederalists #Federalists #BillOfRights #TenthAmendment #ConstitutionAlive #PilgrimAncestors #FoundingFathers #AmericanHistory

03/07/2023

The present Constitution of the United States was the result of a series of compromises regarding states' rights and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The Anti-federalists advocated for the preservation of states' autonomy, whereas the Federalists sought a powerful federal government. As a middle ground, the Federalists agreed to draft a Bill of Rights that would constrain the federal government's authority.
(https://rumble.com/v2c3cl4-the-bill-of-rights.html)

--------
Do you want to learn more about what you can do to act (https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/wcid.html) NOW! and save our constitution.

Take your learning to the next level:

✍️Learn about historical events that shape our future. Flashback to a Fabulous Future. (https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/141282/what-is-history)

✍️ Contact us to setup United States historical tours (https://keap.page/ysn122/freedom-footsteps-tour.html) for you and/or your group.

✍️ Join our Constitution Alive! (https://www.patriotacademy.com/coach/register/5180) course beginning on January 9, 2023 at 7 pm eastern for 12 weeks. There is no charge for this course.

✍️ Join our Bible Study Group. (https://keap.page/ysn122/bible-study.html) Study the Bible through the lens of our Founding Fathers. We use David Barton’s Founder’s Bible (https://thefoundersbible.com/) when we meet once a week on Sunday’s at 6:00 pm eastern. There is no charge for this class.

✍️ To join our waiting list, sign up thru the following links:

For our Biblical Citizenship, and the American Campfire Revival (https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/membership.html) courses. There is no charge for these courses.



#USConstitution #BalanceOfPower #Federalism #StatesRights #BillOfRights #Compromise #FoundingDocuments #AmericanHistory #ConstitutionalLaw


The US Constitution, one of the most important founding documents in American history, is the result of a series of compromises made by the country's founding fathers. The Constitution was written in 1787, at a time when the young United States was struggling to balance states' rights and the power of the federal government.

The Anti-federalists, who opposed the Constitution, argued for the preservation of states' autonomy and sovereignty. They were worried that a powerful federal government would infringe upon the rights of individual states. On the other hand, the Federalists wanted a strong federal government that would be able to effectively govern the nation.

To resolve this disagreement, the Federalists agreed to compose a Bill of Rights that would limit the power of the federal government and protect the rights of individuals and the states. The Bill of Rights, which was added to the Constitution in 1791, includes the first ten amendments that establish fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

The US Constitution is a remarkable document that reflects the founders' wisdom and foresight. It has stood the test of time and serves as a model for many other nations around the world. The Constitution's emphasis on individual rights, democratic principles, and limited government has helped shape the United States into the great nation it is today.

In summary, the US Constitution was a product of compromise between the Anti-federalists and the Federalists. The resulting document, along with the Bill of Rights, established a framework for a democratic and federal government that has been a cornerstone of American society for over two centuries.

06/09/2022

The original civil war was not fought over the rights to have weapons, that was a given as everyone was armed.
It was fought over "federalists vs anti-federalists", the federalists wanted big powerful government as long as they were in charge, and the anti-federalists wanted to limit government power !

The way for federalists to win is to disarm the people.

We MUST bring our useless government to heel before the other Countries do something about Us !! The Real Terrorists !
~ Boom !

Videos

During the ratification debates, Federalists repeatedly warned that adding a bill of rights would be unnecessary - and even dangerous. Learn what they had to say - where they made good points - and missed the mark too.

Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: December 15, 2023

Unlimited power. Robbery. Consolidation. Anti-federalists repeatedly warned that a federal power of direct taxation would destroy liberty.

Path to Liberty: April 17, 2023

JOIN TAC: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Show Archives: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/

Subscribe and Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-to-liberty/id1440549211

In a huge change from the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution eliminated “requisitions,” what many saw as a primary reason for the new system of taxation. Rejecting Alexander Hamilton and other Federalists in this debate were Patrick Henry and the anti-federalists.

Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: April 14, 2023

JOIN TAC: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Show Archives: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/

Subscribe and Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-to-liberty/id1440549211

People

Sorry, no results were found.

Circles

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Videos

During the ratification debates, Federalists repeatedly warned that adding a bill of rights would be unnecessary - and even dangerous. Learn what they had to say - where they made good points - and missed the mark too.

Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: December 15, 2023

Unlimited power. Robbery. Consolidation. Anti-federalists repeatedly warned that a federal power of direct taxation would destroy liberty.

Path to Liberty: April 17, 2023

JOIN TAC: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Show Archives: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/

Subscribe and Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-to-liberty/id1440549211

In a huge change from the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution eliminated “requisitions,” what many saw as a primary reason for the new system of taxation. Rejecting Alexander Hamilton and other Federalists in this debate were Patrick Henry and the anti-federalists.

Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: April 14, 2023

JOIN TAC: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Show Archives: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/

Subscribe and Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-to-liberty/id1440549211

During the debates over ratification of the Constitution, Anti-Federalists repeatedly warned about the dangers of too much power. One of their prominent arguments centered around the maxim that once power expands, people with power never seem to voluntarily give it back.

Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: Aug 26, 2022

JOIN TAC: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Show Archives: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/

Subscribe and Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-to-liberty/id1440549211

From the beginning, the federal taxing power evoked strong opposition from Anti-Federalists. They warned it would lead to infinite and incomprehensible power - and a tyranny potentially worse than they endured under the British.

Path to Liberty: Aug 3, 2022

JOIN TAC: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Show Archives: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/

Subscribe and Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-to-liberty/id1440549211

Posts

03/28/2023

The debate between states' rights and federal power began after the Revolutionary War and continues today, with the Constitutional Convention attempting to grant more power to the federal government. The Constitution is a product of compromise between the Anti-federalists and Federalists, with the Tenth Amendment explicitly reserving powers not granted to the federal government to the states. The importance of following the Constitution is emphasized, and the course Constitution Alive! is recommended as an opportunity to learn more about the vision of the Pilgrim ancestors and Founding Fathers and engage in discussions and debates about our laws.
(https://rumble.com/v28whic-our-founding-documents.html)


--------
Do you want to learn more about what you can do to act NOW! and save our constitution.
(https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/wcid.html)

Take your learning to the next level:

✍️Learn about historical events that shape our future. Flashback to a Fabulous Future.
(https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4117/flashback-to-a-fabulous-future)

✍️ Join us on our learning Journey to Plymouth, MA on May 24-28, 2023. Learn more here.
(https://keap.page/ysn122/monument-to-our-fathers-tour.html)

✍️ Join our Constitution Alive! course beginning on March 13, 2023 at 7 pm eastern for 10 weeks. There is no charge for this course.
(https://www.patriotacademy.com/coach/register/5180)

✍️ Join our Bible Study Group. Study the Bible through the lens of our Founding Fathers. We use David Barton’s Founder’s Bible when we meet once a week on Sunday’s at 6:00 pm eastern. There is no charge for this class.
(https://thefoundersbible.com/)

✍️ To join our waiting list, sign up thru the following links:

For our Biblical Citizenship, and the American Campfire Revival courses. There is no charge for these courses.
(https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/membership.html)



#USConstitution #StatesRights #FederalPower #ConstitutionalConvention #AntiFederalists #Federalists #BillOfRights #TenthAmendment #ConstitutionAlive #PilgrimAncestors #FoundingFathers #AmericanHistory

03/07/2023

The present Constitution of the United States was the result of a series of compromises regarding states' rights and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The Anti-federalists advocated for the preservation of states' autonomy, whereas the Federalists sought a powerful federal government. As a middle ground, the Federalists agreed to draft a Bill of Rights that would constrain the federal government's authority.
(https://rumble.com/v2c3cl4-the-bill-of-rights.html)

--------
Do you want to learn more about what you can do to act (https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/wcid.html) NOW! and save our constitution.

Take your learning to the next level:

✍️Learn about historical events that shape our future. Flashback to a Fabulous Future. (https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/141282/what-is-history)

✍️ Contact us to setup United States historical tours (https://keap.page/ysn122/freedom-footsteps-tour.html) for you and/or your group.

✍️ Join our Constitution Alive! (https://www.patriotacademy.com/coach/register/5180) course beginning on January 9, 2023 at 7 pm eastern for 12 weeks. There is no charge for this course.

✍️ Join our Bible Study Group. (https://keap.page/ysn122/bible-study.html) Study the Bible through the lens of our Founding Fathers. We use David Barton’s Founder’s Bible (https://thefoundersbible.com/) when we meet once a week on Sunday’s at 6:00 pm eastern. There is no charge for this class.

✍️ To join our waiting list, sign up thru the following links:

For our Biblical Citizenship, and the American Campfire Revival (https://www.thefifthprinciple.coop/membership.html) courses. There is no charge for these courses.



#USConstitution #BalanceOfPower #Federalism #StatesRights #BillOfRights #Compromise #FoundingDocuments #AmericanHistory #ConstitutionalLaw


The US Constitution, one of the most important founding documents in American history, is the result of a series of compromises made by the country's founding fathers. The Constitution was written in 1787, at a time when the young United States was struggling to balance states' rights and the power of the federal government.

The Anti-federalists, who opposed the Constitution, argued for the preservation of states' autonomy and sovereignty. They were worried that a powerful federal government would infringe upon the rights of individual states. On the other hand, the Federalists wanted a strong federal government that would be able to effectively govern the nation.

To resolve this disagreement, the Federalists agreed to compose a Bill of Rights that would limit the power of the federal government and protect the rights of individuals and the states. The Bill of Rights, which was added to the Constitution in 1791, includes the first ten amendments that establish fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

The US Constitution is a remarkable document that reflects the founders' wisdom and foresight. It has stood the test of time and serves as a model for many other nations around the world. The Constitution's emphasis on individual rights, democratic principles, and limited government has helped shape the United States into the great nation it is today.

In summary, the US Constitution was a product of compromise between the Anti-federalists and the Federalists. The resulting document, along with the Bill of Rights, established a framework for a democratic and federal government that has been a cornerstone of American society for over two centuries.

06/09/2022

The original civil war was not fought over the rights to have weapons, that was a given as everyone was armed.
It was fought over "federalists vs anti-federalists", the federalists wanted big powerful government as long as they were in charge, and the anti-federalists wanted to limit government power !

The way for federalists to win is to disarm the people.

We MUST bring our useless government to heel before the other Countries do something about Us !! The Real Terrorists !
~ Boom !

03/31/2022

#TAXATIONisTHEFT

Confession-Pavlovian Style
BY Lucille E. Moran
retrieved from The Libertarian Forum, VOLUME III, NO. 10 November, 1971

Before quizzing individual witnesses or suspects, every police officer from village constable to FBI agent, including those of intermediate jurisdiction, such as city cops and county sheriffs, utters the assurances of the Miranda warning.

Even Revenue agents piously intone the Miranda options in face-to-face interviews with witnesses or suspects. But, in their instance, the recitation is MEANINGLESS, when they say:

"Under the Constitution of the United States you have the right to refuse to answer any questions or make any statements that may tend to incriminate you under the laws of the United States. However, anything you say or any evidence which you produce may be used against you in any proceeding which may hereafter be undertaken by the United States. Do you fully understand this?"

While other statist investigators seeking leads, information and evidence on which prosecutors can build cases, arrange to immunize those who agree to perform as State Witnesses, revenuers usually start off with such a whopping advantage over their marks that they tend to believe no need for similar amnesties exists for the kind of people they pursue.

Their activities begin where most other detective work leaves off. They start with a confession signed and submitted by their prey and work backwards. The confession they hold is known as a Tax Return Form.

This wondrous state of affairs arises from an easy device so simple and obvious it is overlooked by the guileless and unwary it aims to entrap: The MIRANDA options are slyly omitted from where they rightfully belong: ON TAX RETURN FORMS.

The whole income tax strategem has survived to date by wilfully mistiming the announcement that what you confess on Tax Return Forms may be used against you. By the time revenuers get around to notifying the gullible of this fact, they are already attempting to shake them down on the basis of their signed confessions.

Revenue attorneys and Justice Department prosecutors (who do their pinch-hitting) promote the mendacity that in tax suits the accused and their star witness should be one and the same person.

Unfortunately, this falsity is similarly entertained by people who think of themselves as "tax-payers".

But, of the two opposing parties perpetuating this fraud, the act of consent by members of the body politic is the more grievous. For it has encouraged the opposition to practice the misconception that in cases concerning tax collections the immunities from prosecution, penalties and punishment, routinely afforded State witnesses, may be suspended and the law of this land still observed.

The error committed by timid souls who file returns and accept the label "tax-payers" (as if it indicated a fixed status or political class) might have the mortal effect of a complete forfeiture of their rights to the Enemy consistent with the legal maxim "volenti non fit injuria" (if you consent to a wrong, you can't claim to be injured by it) - except for certain inadvertencies that gained emphasis during the past decade.

The most significant took form as a suddenly fastidious concern by members of the entrenched bench-bar to protect persons accused of offenses against Natural Law from self-incrimination - which, of course, is itself a far more serious breach of Natural Law. What we know as Fifth Amendment securities are restraints on the eternal temptation of Inquisitors to coerce people into acting as witnesses against themselves, under threat of prosecution, penalty or punishment. The 'Fifth' consistent with Natural Law politics, thereby prohibits under any legalistic pretext, circumstances by which people could be called to an accounting by accusing them of that old favorite of tyrants: CRIMES AGAINST THE STATE.

Reciting the Miranda options to punks and hoods suspected of pulling jobs or being material witnesses thereto, amounts to carrying coals to Newcastle. They've been around enough to know they aren't obliged to trade their secrets for NOTHING.

They demand and get something in return. Before consenting to supply information expected of State witnesses and informants, experienced hoods exact their price in the immunities they are due. Having pegged the opposition's modus operandi, they jolly well know their adversary can't proceed into prosecution without the information and evidence they have to barter.

No one need grandstand advisements to cons and felons to avoid the mistake of relinquishing their right to claim injury by going along with statist treacheries, They already know who needs whom most, And, that self-confession is violative of Natural Law unless it has a return, at least in absolutions, if not always in money, from those who rely on receiving their statements.

Can you imagine the hue and cry from "sharing" Liberals were legislation enacted making it a crime - for punks and felons to refuse, on the one hand, to supply statists the information needed to prosecute them; or for making confessions on the other, that statists don't believe are quite up to snuff? The opposition might have to set up a separate court system along the lines of Star Chamber devoted exclusively to handling such Crimes against the State.

Yet, the adversary has done JUST THAT and successfully hooked reputable persons of irresolute character into going along with the tax strategem. Revenuers dispose of most cases of resistance through the dummy 'Tax Court of the United States', which isn't a court at all, but a deliberately misnamed executive chamber, It is operated by Treasury Department employees for quietly disposing of matters involving revenue collection from their view - and property rights and entitlements from yours - without jury-trial. A handful are tried by Justice Department prosecutors in United States District Courts in hopes of busting people as "criminals" as object lessons to others that don't think of themselves as fixed in some class called "tax-payers".

Although the first line of the CODE OF ETHICS subscribed to by Internal Revenue employees admits that the act of informing against one's self, or anyone else for that matter, can't be made compulsory, by the following language, "The Federal system of taxation is based on VOLUNTARY compliance by the people of the United States", (emphasis mine) revenuers and Justice Department dudes depend heavily on making the tax scheme seem involuntary and mandatory to trusting souls, who being unwise to the ways of the world are susceptible to programs for conditioning their responses so they will react predictably.

These worthies rush to file an annual confession of their activities, as if it were their Easter duty, with a display of signal responses comparable to Pavlov's dogs failing to obey their instinct to bite when their food is withdrawn.

Evading publication of the Miranda options on Tax Return Forms is the first deception used to sensitize the unwary in order to enlist their help and consent for a scuttling of Natural Law processes and safeguards.

The quarry is further conditioned by the statists' covert withholding (oops) of the fact that the Federal system of taxation has always rested on the volition of individual members of the body politic. This operates to suppress the principle that - those who don't care to contribute to their own undoing, DON'T HAVE TO - and, conversely, those who want to tell on themselves and/or make free will donations, CAN.

By thus joining these two failures to supply timely information, a majority is led into the misapprehension that within a Natural Law political system, they are still duty-bound to fling themselves into the role of victims of any ruse devised by the minds of cunning men.

Heartened by their ability to induce otherwise honorable members of the body politic into reacting with attitudes reflecting the misguided notions of Old World politics, the opposition has availed itself of the other side of this fantasy and enacted legislative frivolities on this basis.

Section 7203 of United States Code Chapter 26, the Internal Revenue Title, dramatizes the extent of delusions belabored by servants, acting solely on delegated authority, in presuming to exchange roles with their natural lords and masters in this land from "sea to shining sea."

By the oddest coincidence, Section 7203 of Chapter 26, just happens to be entitled, "WILFUL FAILURE TO FILE RETURNS, SUPPLY INFORMATION OR PAY TAX", And, its provisions attest to the objective of neutralizing Natural Law politics under pretensions of "law" and process in order to regiment people into classes and destroy the body politic:

"Any person required under this title to pay an estimated tax or tax, or required by this title or by regulations made under authority thereof to make a return, keep any records, or supply information, who wilfully fails to pay such estimated tax or tax; make such return, keep records, or supply such information at the time or times required by law (sic) or regulations, shall in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $10,000.00 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution."

Consider the handsome reduction in salaries for FBI agents and money for paying off their informants, if similar accommodations could be written for FBI convenience. The savings in informants' fees alone would be substantial, if the value attached to such necessary services by one Bureau spokesman is an index. He acknowledges that - "one good informant is worth 50 agents."

If crooks and hoods would only cooperate enough to give a yearly accounting of themselves to their friendly, neighborhood FBI office, on or before a designated day of holy obligation, Federal agents could enjoy the fun of busting them for Crimes against the State. This would be a much easier task than trying to nail them for crimes against natural law without demolishing it, in the doing.

Then, shady characters could be prosecuted for wilful failure to file annual confessions, supply information, etc., and tried by jury in a United States District Court on charges of such disobedient deportment. With any luck at all, Justice Department prosecutors could show that the defendant lacked the proper demeanor of docility and refused to cooperate by failing to comply voluntarily with the rule of men, Then the culprit would be convicted, locked up and federal coffers would ring just as merrily. He'd have to ante up the costs of his own prosecution, as well as a disobedience tax of not more than $10,000.

In light of the foregoing, the Independent Bar Association uses, and advocates the use by Tax Rebels, of three techniques for check-mating the opposition with their own implements:

It places the burden on the other side by citing the first line of the CODE OF ETHICS subscribed to by Internal Revenue employees, about "voluntary compliance"; it reminds the adversary of its plan to hoodwink respectable members. of the body politic into walldng into Federalist traps by a wilful and calculated omission of the Miranda options from Tax Return Forms; and, at the first sign of revenuers' interest in an individual's business, it slaps them with a piece of certified mail containing an Independent Bar Association DEMAND FOR IMMUNITY FORM, which states in part, "Please further take notice, that this is only what every run-of-the-mill punk and hoodlum knows he can demand and get for providing Federalists with the information they need to proceed.

02/02/2022

ANYONE NOTICE, THE CORRUPT ANTI AMERICAN SUPREME COURT, WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY JOES LOONEY LEFT PARTY,,DONT FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION AND REVOKE ALL JOES SIGNINGS,REPLACE THAT SUPREME COURT,,,THIS IS A COPY AND PASTE,,
Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court of the United States
Argued February 11, 1803
Decided February 24, 1803
Full case name William Marbury v. James Madison, Secretary of State of the United States
Citations 5 U.S. 137 (more)
1 Cranch 137; 2 L. Ed. 60; 1803 U.S. LEXIS 352
Decision Opinion
Case history
Prior Original action filed in U.S. Supreme Court; order to show cause why writ of mandamus should not issue, December 1801
Holding
Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 is unconstitutional to the extent it purports to enlarge the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court beyond that permitted by the Constitution. Congress cannot pass laws that are contrary to the Constitution, and it is the role of the judiciary to interpret what the Constitution permits.
Court membership
Chief Justice
John Marshall
Associate Justices
William Cushing · William Paterson
Samuel Chase · Bushrod Washington
Alfred Moore
Case opinion
Majority Marshall, joined by Paterson, Chase, Washington
Cushing and Moore took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.
Laws applied
U.S. Const. arts. I, III; Judiciary Act of 1789 § 13
Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803), was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes that they find to violate the Constitution of the United States. Decided in 1803, Marbury is regarded as the single most important decision in American constitutional law.[1] The Court's landmark decision established that the U.S. Constitution is actual law, not just a statement of political principles and ideals, and helped define the boundary between the constitutionally separate executive and judicial branches of the federal government.

The case originated in early 1801 as part of the political and ideological rivalry between outgoing President John Adams and incoming President Thomas Jefferson.[2] Adams had lost the U.S. presidential election of 1800 to Jefferson, and in March 1801, just two days before his term as president ended, Adams appointed several dozen Federalist Party supporters to new circuit judge and justice of the peace positions in an attempt to frustrate Jefferson and his supporters in the Democratic-Republican Party.[3] The U.S. Senate quickly confirmed Adams's appointments, but upon Adams' departure and Jefferson's inauguration a few of the new judges' commissions still had not been delivered.[3] Jefferson believed the undelivered commissions were void, and instructed his new Secretary of State, James Madison, not to deliver them.[4] One of the undelivered commissions belonged to William Marbury, a Maryland businessman who had been a strong supporter of Adams and the Federalists. In late 1801, after Madison had repeatedly refused to deliver his commission, Marbury filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court asking the Court to issue a writ of mandamus forcing Madison to deliver his commission.[5]

In an opinion written by Chief Justice John Marshall, the Court held firstly that Madison's refusal to deliver Marbury's commission was illegal, and secondly that it was normally proper for a court in such situations to order the government official in question to deliver the commission.[6] But in Marbury's case, the Court did not order Madison to comply. Examining the section of the law Congress had passed that gave the Supreme Court jurisdiction over types of cases like Marbury's, Marshall found that it had expanded the definition of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction beyond what was originally set down in the U.S. Constitution.[7] Marshall then struck down that section of the law, announcing that American courts have the power to invalidate laws that they find to violate the Constitution.[8] Because this meant the Court had no jurisdiction over the case, it could not issue the writ that Marbury had requested.