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Posted by: Robert Brammer
On the morning of July 11, 1804, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton met in Weehawken, New Jersey for a duel that would prove fatal for Alexander Hamilton. Burr was outraged over derogatory comments made by Hamilton regarding Burr’s character at a dinner hosted by Judge John Tayler in March of 1804. These comments were recorded …
Posted in: Education, Law Library
Posted by: Robert Brammer
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people …
Posted in: Congress, Education, Law Library, Research Guide
Posted by: Robert Brammer
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist It is said that good fences make for good neighbors. The same might not be said for trees, which are a frequent source of litigation among neighbors. Overgrown branches, fallen leaves, and downed trees all serve to embroil neighbors in acrimonious …
Posted in: Education, Law Library, Research Guide
Posted by: Robert Brammer
It happens. Maybe it was a slight made in haste or a heated argument over who has the better mastery of classical languages and the gauntlet was thrown. Before accepting the challenge, you might want to consider that dueling is illegal, with some states having specific prohibitions against it. Kentucky’s oath of office even requires …
Posted in: Education, Law Library
Posted by: Robert Brammer
John Wilkes Booth’s sister recalled that when he was a young man, he met with a fortune teller who told him he was destined to lead a short and troubled life: Ah, you’ve a bad hand; the lines all cris-cras. It’s full length enough of sorrow. Full of trouble. Trouble in plenty, everywhere I look. …
Posted in: Education, Law Library
Posted by: Robert Brammer
This post is coauthored by Robert Brammer and Barbara Bavis, senior legal reference specialists. We sometimes receive questions about communications sent to Congress by the president that concern legislation. Since this post pertains to legislative history, our focus is on executive communications, presidential messages, veto messages, and signing statements. If you would like to learn more about …
Posted in: Education, Law Library, Research Guide
Posted by: Robert Brammer
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialists. Congressional documents concern a wide variety of subjects and include all papers ordered printed by the House or Senate apart from congressional committee reports. As described by the Government Publishing Office (GPO), congressional documents “may include reports of executive departments and independent organizations, …
Posted in: Education, Law Library, Research Guide