06/09/2025
The summer of 1807 placed Chief Justice John Marshall in an extraordinarily uncomfortable position. Though he was at home in Richmond, he found himself presiding over what he would later call the most “unpleasant” case “ever brought before a judge in this or perhaps in any country which affected to be governed by laws.” That case was the infamous Aaron Burr treason trial.
At the time, President Thomas Jefferson, Marshall’s political rival, was eager to see Burr hang. Much of the nation agreed. The trial was not just a legal proceeding; it was a firestorm of personal grudges, constitutional questions, and political theater.
Only four years earlier, Marshall’s ruling in Marbury v. Madison had dealt Jefferson’s presidency a major blow by establishing judicial review, confirming the Supreme Court as a true co-equal branch of government. Now, with Burr on trial for treason, Jefferson saw an opportunity: eliminate a political threat and strike at the judiciary in one fell swoop.
But on June 13th, 1807, John Marshall would take a swing of his own. He issued a subpoena to President Jefferson, ordering him to produce evidence Burr claimed was essential to his defense. The message was unmistakable: the presidency was not above the law.
Jefferson, clearly irritated, partially complied, sending selected documents while also asserting a form of executive privilege, refusing to appear in court or release the full trove of materials. In the end, Burr was acquitted for lack of evidence, enraging the president and much of the public. Burr walked free, but his reputation was shattered. Marshall, meanwhile, became the subject of scorn and even impeachment rumors, which may have been derailed only by the looming threat of war with Great Britain.
Today, legal scholars largely agree: for all the political tension and procedural challenges, Marshall made the correct legal call.
This June 13th, 218 years after the subpoena of President Jefferson, step into the shadows of history. Join us at the John Marshall House, at 818 East Marshall Street, to explore its haunting history. You see, this house holds far more than the legacy of old court cases. It holds the sorrows of a family, the silent suffering of the enslaved, and the restless energy of a neighborhood shaped by conflict, loss, and legacy. From whispered voices in the hall to the weight of unresolved histories, this home is one of Richmond’s most haunted and compelling sites.
Your journey begins here, with us and our friends at CPRI: The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation and the John Marshall House, as we unravel a tales of law, loyalty, and lingering spirits.
🎟️ Tickets are available now. See the link in the comments to reserve your spot.
