Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (born 1777) from 1836 until his death in 1864. Before holding that office, Taney served as secretary of the treasury and attorney general. Two items signed by Taney: an ALS signed "R. B. Taney," one page, 7.5 x 9, January 22, 1809, concerning a real estate matter, in part: "AS the Governor & Council have the power to regulate these matters, whatever orders they have made must be obliged"; and an 8 x 3.25 autograph check filled out and signed by Taney, "R. B. Taney," October 18, 1833, directing the "Cashier of the Office of the Bank of the U. States (Washington) pay to Bearer twelve dollars and five cents." In very good to fine condition, with light staining to the check.
The check was written by Taney while simultaneously serving as US Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury. President Andrew Jackson had appointed him as Treasury Secretary in late September in order to carry out Jackson's direction to end the deposit of federal funds in the Bank of the United States, an act which killed the institution.
