Only four justices were present when the US Supreme Court officially convened its first Term on February 2, 1790.1
Robert Harrison, one of President Washington's original nominees, declined his appointment on January 17, 1790, and wasn't succeeded by James Iredell until February 10, 1790, after the February Term ended.
John Rutledge missed both the February and August Terms in 1790, and never really participated as an Associate Justice, despite accepting the appointment and taking his oath of office on February 15, 1790. Rutledge served as a judge in the South Carolina state court system concurrent with his term of office as an Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court.
As the result of a recess appointment, Rutledge briefly served as second Chief Justice from July 1795-December 1795, but the Senate ultimately rejected his confirmation because they believed he was emotionally unstable.
Citation:
1 Marcus, Maeva, James R., and United States. The Documentary history of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789-1800. 1. New York: Columbia University Press, 1985. 171. Print.
George Washington was President the first time the US Supreme Court met. John Jay was Chief Justice.
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the US. Each state has its own Supreme Court, but the US Supreme Court is the end of the line.
The Supreme Court of the United States (aka US Supreme Court), which was established by the first Act (Judiciary Act of 1789) of the First Congress on September 24, 1789.
The correct name is the Supreme Court of the United States, but most people refer to it as the US Supreme Court. Each state has its own Supreme Court, but the US Supreme Court is the end of the line.
Samuel Alito
US Supreme Court decisions are called "Opinions."
If the US Supreme Court is the first to hear a case, the Court has original jurisdiction.
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the US. Each state has its own Supreme Court, but the US Supreme Court is the end of the line.
John Jay was the first American Supreme Court Justice.
The US Supreme Court first convened in 1790, during George Washington's administration.
The Supreme Court of the United States (aka US Supreme Court), which was established by the first Act (Judiciary Act of 1789) of the First Congress on September 24, 1789.
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the US. Each state has its own Supreme Court, but the US Supreme Court is the end of the line.
You do not punish the US Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court is established by the US Constitution. It is a basic part of the system of checks and balances on which the US government is founded. Washington did choose, with Senate approval, the men who formed the first US Supreme Court.
The highest court in the U.S. is the U.S. Supreme Court.
1789, when the first Supreme Court (of six members) was appointed by Washington.
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the US. Each state has its own Supreme Court, but the US Supreme Court is the end of the line.
The Supreme Court is the highest court of the United States.