Martin v. Hunter's Lessee

When Jefferson was president, his Democratic-Republican administration had frequently clashed with the Supreme Court, which was dominated by Federalists. Jefferson had even planned to impeach all the justices, in order to replace them with Democratic-Republicans. He actually did impeach Samuel Chase, but when the Senate acquitted Chase, Jefferson's plan was foiled.

Jefferson was succeeded by President James Madison, who was able to appoint the Court's first Democratic-Republican justice, Joseph Story. The Democratic-Republicans hoped that the brilliant Story would be a fitting match for the powerful Federalist chief justice, John Marshall. Instead, Story and Marshall became allies.