John, Jr. Blair
John, Jr. Blair was a notable figure in early American legal and political history, known for his contributions as a lawyer, legislator, and judge. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1754 and furthered his education in law at the Middle Temple in London. Blair established a law practice in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765, where he initially opposed radical measures like the Stamp Act but later supported independence from British rule. He played a significant role in shaping Virginia's government following independence and served as a judge on the general court.
Blair participated in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he voted in favor of the Constitution, and was appointed by President George Washington as one of the first associate justices of the Supreme Court. His notable rulings, especially in cases like Virginia v. Caton and Chisholm v. Georgia, underscored the evolving relationship between state and federal powers. These decisions significantly influenced the interpretation of the Constitution and the authority of the federal government. Due to health issues, Blair retired in 1796, returning to Williamsburg, where he passed away in 1800. His legacy remains as a foundational figure in the establishment of the American judiciary.
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John, Jr. Blair
Nominated by: George Washington
Significance: One of the original members of the Supreme Court, Blair worked to strengthen the powers of the federal government over the individual states.
Blair graduated in 1754 from the College of William and Mary. In 1755 and 1756 he studied law at the Middle Temple in London. He established a law practice in Williamsburg, Virginia, and in 1765 was elected to represent the College of William and Mary in Virginia’s House of Burgesses.
As a burgess, Blair opposed Patrick Henry’s 1765 Stamp Act as too radical a move. However, after the British Crown dissolved the burgesses in 1769 and 1770, Blair sided with fellow Virginians advocating independence. He helped create Virginia’s new government as a delegate to the Virginia Convention in 1776 and was chosen as a general court judge. A series of court appointments followed. His most memorable decision came while sitting on the First Court of Appeals, when he and his fellow judges ruled in Virginia v. Caton (1782) that the court had the power to determine the constitutionality of legislative acts. This decision helped set the stage for a strong Supreme Court a few years later.
In 1787 Blair was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and voted for the adoption of the Constitution. After the new government formed, President George Washington nominated Blair as one of the original five associate justices of the Supreme Court; Blair was confirmed by the Senate two days later.
Perhaps the most far-reaching decision of Blair’s career was in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), when he sided with the majority view that a citizen might bring suit against states in federal court. Blair’s opinion demonstrated his belief in the Constitution as the supreme legal authority in the nation and strengthened the federal government’s power over the states. The unfavorable reaction to this decision helped usher in the Eleventh Amendment, which restricted federal court power to hear suits against states brought by aliens or citizens of other states.
Early justices, in addition to their duties on the Supreme Court, presided over circuit courts. In Middle Circuit Court in 1792, Blair and fellow judges ruled in Collet v. Collet (1792) that if the U.S. government naturalized a citizen, states must accept that decision, once again strengthening the power of the central government over that of individual states.
Because of failing health and exhaustion brought on by riding the judicial circuit, Blair retired from the bench in 1796 to return to Williamsburg, where he died in 1800.
Bibliography
Bader, William H., and Roy M. Mersky, eds. The First One Hundred Eight Justices. Buffalo, N.Y.: William S. Hein, 2004.
Friedman, Leon, and Fred L. Israel, eds. The Justices of the United States Supreme Court: Their Lives and Major Opinons. 5 vols. New York: Chelsea House, 1997.
Harrington, Matthew P. Jay and Ellsworth, The First Courts: Justices, Rulings, and Legacy. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-Clio, 2007.
Marcus, Maeva, and James Perry, eds. The Documentary History of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789-1800. New York: Columbia University Press, 1985.