President George Washington Carries out a Central Provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789, Commissioning a Hero of Valley Forge as One of the Original U.S. Marshals

Documents signed by Washington as president of this importance are a rarity; there were only 16 marshals, and they were responsible for enforcing the work of the courts, the muscle behind the new judicial system

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system in the United States and it was signed into law by President George Washington on September 24, 1789. The office of United States Marshal was established by that act, and the country was divided into sixteen judicial districts, each to be headed by a marshal whose primary function was to support the federal courts by serving subpoenas, summonses, and warrants. They also made arrests, handled prisoners, and paid the fees and expenses of court clerks, jurors, and witnesses. Marshals served four-year terms, renewable at the president’s pleasure. The position was an important one, and it was up to President Washington to appoint the sixteen marshals.

Many of the men Washington chose had distinguished themselves in the Revolutionary War. One of these was Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Ramsay of Maryland. An attorney whose work brought him both wealth and prominence, he owned a large estate and, in 1775 represented his county at the Maryland convention. Ramsay joined the Maryland militia as a captain soon after the start of the Revolutionary War. Later, he transferred to the Continental Army where he earned a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. He was with Washington at Valley Forge and played a major role at the Battle of Monmouth. A monument on the battleground at Monmouth Courthouse commemorates the part that Ramsay played in ensuring an American victory. During that battle on June 28, 1778, General Charles Lee, in command of the advance forces, ordered his troops to retreat before they had fully engaged the enemy. Seeing these men returning from the front, General Washington went forward to investigate. Upon meeting Lee, Washington spoke to him “with some warmth” before turning to Ramsay to order him to hold his position until the remainder of the army could be brought onto the field. Washington’s aide, James McHenry, recalled that Washington took Ramsay’s hand, saying: “I shall depend on your immediate exertions to check with your two regiments the progress of the enemy till I can form the main army.” “We shall check them!” said Colonel Ramsay. Washington remembered this in the years that followed. Ramsay joined the Society of the Cincinnati shortly after its formation.

After the war, Ramsay served in the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1787, and was a strong supporter of Washington. Just two days after the Judiciary Act of 1789 was signed, Washington appointed Ramsay marshal for the district of Maryland. He was thus one of the original sixteen marshals. He served in that post until 1794, when Washington named him Naval Officer for the Port of Baltimore. Naval officers assisted collectors of the ports and had such duties as inspecting ships to help estimate duties owed. They were political appointees, not military officers. Ramsay served as Naval Officer for the rest of his life, dying in 1817.

Ramsay’s portrait hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Interestingly, Ramsay’s wife was the sister of Charles Wilson Peale, the noted artist who painted his portrait.

Document Signed as president, New York, September 26, 1789, stating “reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, ability, and diligence” of Nathaniel Ramsey, Washington appoints him “Marshal of and for the Maryland District…for the Term of four years.” With a beautiful signature of Washington at the conclusion. The embossed white paper seal affixed to the upper left remains intact.

Documents signed by Washington as president have become scarce, and one of this importance must be accounted a rarity.