American jurist and politician (1785-1861) who served in Congress, as postmaster general, and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. ALS, one page both sides, 6.25 x 7.5, May 8, 1820. Letter to Hon. Calvin Pease, in part: "I yesterday left Judge Couch at Portsmouth, so ill as to be entirely unable to ride to this place, and I entertain but little hope, that he will able to join the Circuit soon. He has had a very severe attack of fever this spring, and was scarcely able to ride when he left home for the Circuit. He appeared to gain health and strength until we arrived at Portsmouth. On Saturday his pulse was one hundred and twenty in a minute, and unless the fever can be check'd (as I hope it will be), I shall entertain serious doubts whether his constitution can contain itself many days or weeks. You will see the necessity, on the reception of this intelligence, of either yourself or Judge Hitchcock repairing to the circuit, with the least possible delay." Addressed on the integral leaf in McLean's hand. In very good to fine condition, with several intersecting folds.
From 1819-21 the Ohio Supreme Court consisted of four judges—John McLean, Calvin Pease, Peter Hitchcock, and Chief Judge Jessup Couch. The judges rode circuit to hear cases and apparently two justices were needed where McLean was hearing cases. Couch’s illness necessitated that either Pease or Hitchcock come down and help him hear cases on this particular circuit stop. Couch recovered from this illness, but died of consumption the following year.
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