See,
Marbury v. Madison (1803).
Marbury v. Madison, syllabus
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/htm...5_0137_ZS.html
There was tension between John Marshall and Thomas Jefferson. Marshall was appointed by John Adams. That aside, John Marshall as Chief Justice for more than 34 years had a dramatic influence on the Judiciary and American Government in general. It would be difficult to judge, given my sparse knowledge, whether Marshall was any more disingenuous or intellectually dishonest than his contemporaries. He was certainly given to expediency and practicality, and had a forceful and keen mind. The personal predilections and particular agendas of an individual will more likely decide which side of the ledger Marshall is placed, than on any objective measure.
I withhold judgment, pleading ignorance as an excuse.
-Zeno