Court Document in Taney's Hand, Signed by Taney, February 1, 1817

Frederick County, MD: February 1, 1817. 2 pp. A Court Document Written and Signed by Future Chief Justice Roger B. Taney [Manuscript]. Taney, Roger B. [1777-1864]. [Court Document in Taney's Hand, Signed by Taney, Frederick County, MD, February 1, 1817]. 2 pp. 13-1/4" x 8" (33.6 x 20.3 cm) leaf, docketed on verso. Moderate toning, untrimmed edges, three horizontal fold lines with short tears at ends. Content in neat hand. $1,250. * This legal document is a collection notice addressed to Jacob Drill, drafted and signed by Roger B. Taney on behalf of his client, James McAlee. At the time of its writing, Taney was practicing law in Frederick, Maryland, and serving as a Maryland state senator. Taney would go on to hold numerous prominent state and federal positions, culminating in his appointment as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1836-a position he held until his death. As Chief Justice, he authored the infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision (1857), which ruled that African Americans were not citizens and could never become citizens of the United States. The ruling also struck down the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery north of latitude 36?30'. A crisp example of early legal work by one of the most controversial figures in American judicial history.…