Francis Scott Key Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 8" x 9.75" (sight), "Geo: Town" [Georgetown, Washington, D.C.]; February 20, 1815. Letter addressed to Thomas Biddle in Philadelphia in which Key discusses the status of a legal case that may appear before the Supreme Court and his opinion on the potential rulings of Judges Bushrod Washington and Joseph Story. While Francis Scott Key is best known for authoring "The Star-Spangled Banner," he was also a well-respected attorney in Washington, D.C. He writes, in part: "Your cause will be called I presume in two or three weeks, but if the trial is not pressed by your opponent, it can be continued till the next Term – nor is it likely he would object to the continuance – I observe no Counsel has yet entered an appearance for it. – If it is thus put off till the next Term, it will afford you the means of compromising it, if you think you can do so on advantageous terms. As to your success, I think it as certain as anything undecided I can conceive of can be. – Not only is it a very plain case in your favour, as I think, but two of the Judges of the Sup Court – Washington & Story have both so adjudged to the point on which it chiefly depends. – They would not, at least Story would not, of course sit in the cause, but their opinions would have weight; & it is to be presumed their decision would be confirmed by the other Judges. – Should think the question so important on one to Insolvents in the different States that they would pay the debt sooner than risqué a trial. – Judge Washington has given me his opinion but if you have a paper containing it you may send it." Signed, "F S Key." Joseph Story (1779-1845) was appointed Associate Supreme Court Justice by President James Madison in 1811 at the young age of thirty-two years, a position in which he served until 1845. He remains the youngest person ever nominated to the Supreme Court. He served on the bench with Supreme Court Associate Justice Bushrod Washington (1762-1829), nephew of George Washington. In 1798, President John Adams appointed the Virginian, then only thirty-six years old, to the Supreme Court, making him one of the youngest justices ever appointed behind Story. In his will, George Washington, who died in 1799, bequeathed Mount Vernon to his nephew and made him an executor of his will. His service of thirty-one years on the court, which ended with his death in 1829, is one of the longest in American history. The letter is attractively matted and framed together with a typed transcription, portrait, and plaque to the overall size of 30" x 17.75". Not examined outside of the frame. It is accompanied by a COA from Gallery of History. From the Joel Levin Collection. Condition: 1.25" (sight) closed tear at left margin which does not affect any text. Two pencil notations at center with one partially erased pencil notation at upper left corner. Smoothed folds. Docketed on verso. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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