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[[Image:SamuelChase.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

[[Image:SamuelChase.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

'''Samuel Chase''' (1741–1811) served as an Associate Justice of the [[United States Supreme Court]] during the [[Marshall Court]].  He was also a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]] on behalf of [[Maryland]].  He was a leading [[Anti-federalist]], opposing ratification of the new Constitution in 1788 because he feared  the "aristocratic danger" of the new system. A leader in Maryland politics, he joined the [[Federalist Party]] and supported President [[George Washington]] against [[Thomas Jefferson]]. Washington appointed him to the Supreme Court, where he served until his ddeath.

'''Samuel Chase''' (1741–1811) served as an Associate Justice of the [[United States Supreme Court]] during the [[Marshall Court]].  He was also a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]] on behalf of [[Maryland]].  He was a leading [[Anti-Federalist]], opposing ratification of the new Constitution in 1788 because he feared  the "aristocratic danger" of the new system. A leader in Maryland politics, he joined the [[Federalist Party]] and supported President [[George Washington]] against [[Thomas Jefferson]]. Washington appointed him to the Supreme Court, where he served until his ddeath.

==Fighting for independence==

==Fighting for independence==

Chase played a major role in winning Maryland to the cause of independence in 1776. Maryland's revolutionary leadership - called the "popular party" - had learned that revolution without some anarchy was impossible. By June 1776, a conservative group, including Chase, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Thomas Johnson, faced a formidable problem in holding popular support. There was widespread opposition to the state government, with full-scale insurrection on the Eastern Shore and open hostility among the militia, the non-associators and the non-enrollers of the Western Shore. The new state constitution was based on extensive property qualifications, leaving all powers and franchises in the hands of the aristocratic elite. To ensure their authority, Chase and the other leaders had to popularize themselves and the revolutionary cause, which they did in two ways. First, they passed a legal tender act authorizing payment of all debts with depreciated money. Secondly, the General Court tended to deal leniently with all cases of men charged with treason, insurrection, and riot; these were invariably found guilty, fined a small amount, and released. Under the cautious policies of the new government, the strong "resentment of authority" eventually eased.<ref> Ronald Hoffman,  Popularizing The Revolution: Internal Conflict And Economic Sacrifice In Maryland, 1774-1780. Maryland Historical Magazine 1973 68(2): 125-139. 0025-4258 </ref>

Chase played a major role in winning Maryland to the cause of independence in 1776. Maryland's revolutionary leadership - called the "popular party" - had learned that revolution without some anarchy was impossible. By June 1776, a conservative group, including Chase, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Thomas Johnson, faced a formidable problem in holding popular support. There was widespread opposition to the state government, with full-scale insurrection on the Eastern Shore and open hostility among the militia, the non-associators and the non-enrollers of the Western Shore. The new state constitution was based on extensive property qualifications, leaving all powers and franchises in the hands of the aristocratic elite. To ensure their authority, Chase and the other leaders had to popularize themselves and the revolutionary cause, which they did in two ways. First, they passed a legal tender act authorizing payment of all debts with depreciated money. Secondly, the General Court tended to deal leniently with all cases of men charged with treason, insurrection, and riot; these were invariably found guilty, fined a small amount, and released. Under the cautious policies of the new government, the strong "resentment of authority" eventually eased.<ref> Ronald Hoffman,  Popularizing The Revolution: Internal Conflict And Economic Sacrifice In Maryland, 1774-1780. Maryland Historical Magazine 1973 68(2): 125-139. 0025-4258 </ref>

==Supreme Court==

==Supreme Court==

Because of his conservative court decisions and his activity in the [[Federalist Party]], Justice Chase in 1805 became the target of an [[impeachment]] effort led by [[Democratic-Republican]] President [[Thomas Jefferson]].  Chase was impeached by the House on flimsy charges focusing on his flamboyant language. For example one article specified as grounds for removal Chase's "intemperate and inflammatory...peculiarly indecent and unbecoming ...highly unwarrantable" remarks to a Baltimore grand jury. The Senate voted against removal, establishing a precedent against the impeachment of federal judges for political reasons.  But Chase, while he had been arrogant as a judge, had not committed great legal offenses. On no charge did the Senate vote the required two-thirds majority for conviction. The trial had two effects: it forced judges to improve their judicial decorum and avoid blatant partisanship to avoid impeachment, and it reinforced the principle of the independence of the judiciary in the United States.  

Because of his conservative court decisions and his activity in the [[Federalist Party]], Justice Chase in 1805 became the target of an [[impeachment]] effort led by [[Democratic-Republican]] President [[Thomas Jefferson]].  Chase was impeached by the House on flimsy charges focusing on his flamboyant language. For example one article specified as grounds for removal Chase's "intemperate and inflammatory...peculiarly indecent and unbecoming ...highly unwarrantable" remarks to a Baltimore grand jury. The Senate voted against removal, establishing a precedent against the impeachment of federal judges for political reasons.  But Chase, while he had been arrogant as a judge, had not committed great legal offenses. On no charge did the Senate vote the required two-thirds majority for conviction. The trial had three effects: it damaged the Jeffersonian party;  it forced judges to improve their judicial decorum and avoid blatant partisanship to avoid impeachment, and it reinforced the principle of the independence of the judiciary in the United States.  

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Haw, James, et al. ''Stormy Patriot: The Life of Samuel Chase.'' (1980). 305 pp.

* Haw, James, et al. ''Stormy Patriot: The Life of Samuel Chase.'' (1980). 305 pp.