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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC05588.03 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1801 |
| Title | Harrison Otis to John Lowell Jr. concerning Adams' appointment of the "Midnight Judges" |
| Date | 18 February 1801 |
| Author | Otis, Harrison Gray (1765-1848) |
| Recipient | Lowell, John Jr. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Discusses the appointments made by Adams before Jefferson's inauguration. Mentions appointments of Justices Lowell (Chief justice of the 1st Circuit), Bourne and Jere Smith (Associate Justices of same), John Davis (district judge) and himself ("H.G.O") (D.A.). He concludes "It is presumable the appointments will be concurred in. Mr. Parson is also nominated Attorney General of the United States." |
| Subjects | Government and Civics Judiciary Congress President |
| People | Otis, Harrison Gray (1765-1848) |
| Place written | Washington, D.C. |
| Theme | Government & Politics; The Presidency; Law |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | The reorganization of the court system by the Judiciary Act of 1801, passed by Congress on February 13, created a large number of lifetime appointments. Before leaving office on March 3, President Adams filled all of these vacancies, which were quickly confirmed by the Federalist Congress. These appointees became known as "Midnight Judges." The Jefferson administration rid the court of these federal judges by passing the Act of 1802 which repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |