Required only to decide a question of private rights, they thrust themselves forward to sit as umpires in a quarrel of parties and factions.
[Sidenote] Campbell to Tyler, Tyler, p.

384.
[Sidenote] Nelson to Tyler, Tyler, p.

385.
In an evil hour they yielded to the demands of "public interest," and resolved to "fulfill public expectation." Justice Wayne "proposed that the Chief-Justice should write an opinion on all of the questions as the opinion of the court.

This was assented to, some reserving to themselves to qualify their assent as the opinion might require.
Others of the court proposed to have no question, save one, discussed." The extraordinary proceeding was calculated to touch the pride of Justice Nelson.

He appears to have given it a kind of sullen acquiescence.