Diane Abbott
British Labour Party MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (born 1953)
Samuel Chase
American lawyer and politician, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1741-1811)
Samuel Chasewas a Founding Father of the United States, signer of the Continental Association and United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland, and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. In 1804, Chase was impeached by the House of Representatives on grounds of letting his partisan leanings affect his court decisions, but was acquitted the following year by the Senate and remained in office.
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About the Samuel Chase
Samuel Chasewas a Founding Father of the United States, signer of the Continental Association and United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland, and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. In 1804, Chase was impeached by the House of Representatives on grounds of letting his partisan leanings affect his court decisions, but was acquitted the following year by the Senate and remained in office. He is the only United States Supreme Court Justice to have ever been impeached.
Born near Princess Anne, Maryland, Chase established a legal practice in Annapolis, Maryland. He served in the Maryland General Assembly for several years and favored independence during the American Revolution. He won election to the Continental Congress before serving on the Baltimore District Criminal Court and the Maryland General Court. In 1796, President George Washington appointed Chase to the United States Supreme Court.
After the 1800 elections, President Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans sought to weaken Federalist influence on the federal courts. Chase’s actions on the court had been accused of demonstrating bias, and Jefferson believed that Chase should be removed from office, a process that required a vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House passed eight articles of impeachment, all centering on Chase’s alleged political bias. The Senate voted to acquit Chase on all counts, and Chase served on the Supreme Court until his death in 1811. Some historians have argued that Chase’s acquittal set an important precedent regarding the independence of the federal judiciary.
4 Quotes by Samuel Chase
- 1.
Religion is of general and public concern, and on its support depend, in great measure, the peace and good order of government, the safety and happiness of the people.
Samuel ChaseAmerican lawyer and politician, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1741-1811)
- 2.
By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty.
Samuel ChaseAmerican lawyer and politician, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1741-1811)
- 3.
Summon me, then; I will be the posse comitatus; I will take them to jail.
Samuel ChaseAmerican lawyer and politician, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1741-1811)
- 4.
The jury has the right to determine both the law and the facts.
Samuel ChaseAmerican lawyer and politician, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1741-1811)