Prior to leaving office, President John Adams sought to ensure his party’s continuing influence by appointing 42 justices of the peace. However, Thomas Jefferson, the new president, refused to deliver some of the appointment letters. William Marbury was among those who did not receive his appointment, and he sued to have it delivered. Writing for the Supreme Court in 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Marbury had a right to his commission. However, he also ruled that the Judiciary A