During his thirty-four years as head of the [[Supreme Court]] he judged over 1,100 cases, 519 of which he wrote the rulings for.<ref>Paul Johnson, ''A History of the American People,'' (1988) page 237</ref> Marshall was in the dissenting minority only eight times throughout his tenure at the court because of his control over the associate justices. As one observer at the time noted, Marshall had the knack of "putting his own ideas into the minds of others, unconsciously to them."<ref>George Gibbs, ''Memoirs of the Administrations of Washington and John Adams,'' (1846), vol. II, p. 350</ref>
Marshall was one of the [[America]]n diplomats sent by President [[John Adams]] to [[France]] in what became the [[XYZ Affair]], which ineptly nearly caused a war between the two nations. But [[liberal]]s heap praise on Marshall as Chief Justice of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], which he vastly expanded its power and authority. He is described as having had charm, humor, a quick intelligence, and the ability to bring men together. Above all, he had patriotism, sincerity and presence that commanded attention His opinions were workmanlike but not rather than eloquent in style or subtle; and his learning in the law was not deep. What distinguished him was the force of his intellect, steadfast purpose, skill and a confident vision of the future greatness he wanted his nation willingness to achieve; these qualities are seen in his historic manipulate decisions to grab power for the court. Liberal historians and gave him law professors confer on Marshall the sobriquet, ''The Great Chief Justice''.
==Life==