Unsigned letter to John Prince from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, January 10, 1838

Abstract

This unsigned letter was written on behalf of the five justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The scribe criticizes one of the court's employees, most likely John Prince, for "indulging to excess in the use of ardent spirit" and threatens him with the loss of his appointment. Evidently the problem resolved itself, for Shaw served as Chief Justice for thirty years, from 1830 to 1860. Prince responds to this message in a letter dated January 12, 1838, which is also part of this collection. This item also includes a typescript of the letter annotated by Arthur P. Rugg, associate justice (1906-1911) and chief justice (1911-1938) of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.