Oliver
Ellsworth was the chief architect of the Judiciary Act of 1789. He drew up the
sections that delineated the jurisdiction of the federal courts and was the
principal defender of the legislation during the Senate debates. Sen. Maclay,
in one of his descriptions of the debate, says of Ellsworth: "This
vile bill is a child of his and he defends it with the Care of a parent. even with
wrath and anger." Others, such as Rep. Abraham Baldwin of Georgia,
were more complimentary toward Ellsworth's efforts:
"The Senate have before them a bill on the judiciary
department, in my opinion admirably contrived. My chum Ellsworth has been at
work at it night and day these three months." (to Joel Barlow, June 14, 1789,
Yale University Library)
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