Just gonna say, the Supreme Court's decision to include this footnote in Vance about the governor of the Louisiana Territory stopped me in my tracks 
No, seriously, let's talk for a minute about the 1807 John Marshall decision on presidential subpoenas in the treason trial of Aaron Burr. It plays a big part in CJ Roberts' reasoning in Vance today.
And it's riveting.
And it's riveting.
Hamilton fans already know: Aaron Burr got pretty bitter by 1804, because then-President Thomas Jefferson was dropping him as VP.
He runs for Guv in NY, loses. Shoots Hamilton.
(apologies to actual historians and to Roberts, who tells this better than I can in tweets)
He runs for Guv in NY, loses. Shoots Hamilton.
(apologies to actual historians and to Roberts, who tells this better than I can in tweets)
But Burr really wanted to be a president or a king, so he went West to essentially take hold of his own empire in what was then Spanish territory and break up the Union. Some of the plotting he did with the governor of the Louisiana Territory, James Wilkinson.
Wilkinson (as Roberts notes today) was "secretly being paid by Spain for information and influence," a conflict of interest nobody confirmed until decades later.
Wilkinson got spooked, tries protect himself as his plot with Burr sours.
So he tattles on Burr to Jefferson!
Wilkinson got spooked, tries protect himself as his plot with Burr sours.
So he tattles on Burr to Jefferson!
This is when Jefferson, the President of the United States, orchestrates the prosecution of Aaron Burr, the former Vice President.
Burr knows Wilkinson wrote Jefferson letters. He subpoenas these presidential papers to help in his defense.
Burr knows Wilkinson wrote Jefferson letters. He subpoenas these presidential papers to help in his defense.
Which brings us to today's decision:
Jefferson argued he shouldn't have to turn over papers under subpoena.
There's some more twists and turns and legal fine print and Burr drama, but essentially, John Marshall, chief justice in 1807, essentially ruled against POTUS.
Jefferson argued he shouldn't have to turn over papers under subpoena.
There's some more twists and turns and legal fine print and Burr drama, but essentially, John Marshall, chief justice in 1807, essentially ruled against POTUS.
That is all. Now go watch Hamilton or read the more detailed version: supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf…
