Stanbery Supreme Court Letter

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, United States
Surname/tag: Henry Stanbery, Personal Letter, Supreme Court Nomination

        Henry Stanbery's Letter to Brother Charles Stanbery

        re: Supreme Court Nomination

[In April of 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Henry Stanbery as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice John Catron, who had died in office on May 30, 1865. In a letter to his brother Charles Stanbery, dated April 27, 1866, Henry wrote the letter below.]

Cin^ti April 27, 1866

Dear Charles,

[He first presents property concerns, as the two brothers corresponded often on the matter of the real estate they had inherited from their father Jonas. Then, on page three...]

"We were delayed at Washington nearly four months—and then spent two weeks in New York and did not get home until the 14th inst. I was very closely occupied with business all the time I was absent, and had the most laborious winter I have passed for many years. Fortunately my health was rather better than usual—but since my return I am again very much out of sorts.

"You may have seen, through the newspapers, that the President has sent to the Senate my nomination for the seat on the bench of the Supreme Court now vacant by the decease of Judge Catron. A bill has now passed the House of Reps and is now pending in the Senate for a re-organization of the Judiciary, which provides for only nine Judges—instead of ten which is the number under the present system. If the bill should become a law, there will be no vacancy & then, of course, my nomination will fail.

"But if this Bill should not pass, it is doubtful whether my nomination would be confirmed. It is well understood that I am opposed to the policy of the Radicals in reference to the South, and that I approve, fully, the policy of the President. This may defeat the nomination—but would give me no concern, for I am not at all anxious for the place and have very serious doubts whether I would find it as pleasant—certainly not as profitable as my practise at the bar. [At this point in his career, Stanbery was arguing cases before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati, as well as before the Supreme Court, and was charging, according to Bench and Bar of Ohio, "...thousands in a single fee."]

"Cecilia and George are in good health and we all unite in love to dear Mary, the boys and yourself. Expecting to hear from you soon about the Columbus business.

"I remain,

"Yours affectionately,

"Henry"