Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Samuel L. Southard And The Origins Of Gibbons V. Ogden, Michael J. Birkner
Samuel L. Southard And The Origins Of Gibbons V. Ogden, Michael J. Birkner
History Faculty Publications
On January 12, 1815, the former Federalist governor of New Jersey, Aaron Ogden, wrote a brief letter to a young political antagonist, Samuel L. Southard, requesting Southard's "professional aid in a hearing before the Legislature, which I expect will take place on Tuesday next." Observing that he had the relevant documents organized so that Southard could get quickly acquainted with the facts of the matter at issue, Ogden added that "the cause will be entertaining and interesting, and as to compensation, you will please to name your own sum."
A good deal of history lay behind these remarks, and the …