feb 13, 1801 - Judiciary Act of 1801

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The Judiciary Act of 1801 refers to the reorganization of the nation's court system and expansion of federal jurisdiction. The act reduced the size of the Supreme Court from six justices to five and eliminated the justices' circuit duties, The act then created sixteen judgeships for six judicial circuits. It was passed in the last days of the John Adams administration and was fiercely opposed by the incoming president, Thomas Jefferson, and his Republican allies for being an attempt by the outgoing president, John Adams, and his allies to keep Federalist control of the judiciary. The act was repealed just a year later in 1802.

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