One of the most influential and controversial of the Founding Fathers was undoubtedly Chief Justice John Marshall, who served in his office from 1801to1835. When involving the shaping of the judiciary branch, Marshall, a "deathbed" Federalist, was influenced by his Hamiltonian doctrines of a strong central government. His rulings on numerous court cases suggested his favoring of a well-developed government with little regard to the detriment of the nation's citizens.

While serving in the Continental Army, Marshall was stationed at Valley Forge during the infamous winter of cold and hunger, and these privations demonstrated to him the disadvantages of diluted central authority. Marshall, who was more of a "Molding Father," strengthened the Supreme Court through his rulings based upon his political doctrine. Marshall's decision in the trial of Aaron Burr was the most notable example of the Federalist influence over the Chief Justice. Burr, who was arrested in...