"I really wish those in New England who are boasting of the independence of our Judiciary would reflect on what a slender tenure Judges hold their offices whose political sentiments are at variance with the dominant party." (Plumer to Park, March 13, 1804, Plumer MSS. Lib. Cong.)
[467] Exhibit viii, Chase Trial, Appendix, 61-62; also see Annals, 8th Cong. 2d Sess. 675-76.
[468] June 13, 1803.
[469] See Chase Trial, 101 et seq.
[470] See McMaster: U.S. iii, 162-70.
[471] Jefferson to Nicholson, May 13, 1803, Jefferson Writings: Washington, iv, 484.
[472] Macon to Nicholson, Aug. 6, 1803, Dodd: Life of Nathaniel Macon, 187-88. Macon seriously doubted the expediency and legality of the impeachment of Chase. However, he voted with his party.
[473] Dodd, 187-88.
[474] Adams to Rush, June 22, 1806, Old Family Letters, 100.
[475] Chase "is very obnoxious to the powers that be & must be denounced, but articles will not be exhibited agt him this session. The Accusers have collected a volume of exparte evidence against him, printed & published it in pamphlets, & now it is publishing in the Court gazette to be diffused in every direction.... If a party to a suit at law, ... was to practice in this manner he would merit punishment." (Plumer to Smith, March 11, 1804, Plumer MSS. Lib. Cong.)