On July 15, 1819, Chief Justice John Marshall published a defense of the Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland in the Alexandria Gazette. Writing under the pseudonym "A Friend of the Constitution," Marshall sought to explain and support the ruling that affirmed federal supremacy and the constitutionality of the national bank.

This publication is a notable moment in Supreme Court history, illustrating Marshall's commitment to clarifying the Court's role and decisions to the public. The article appeared in the Alexandria Gazette and was later highlighted by Reason.com in a historical retrospective.

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