"I was not present," he wrote, "when the majority decided to change the ground of the decision, and assigned the preparation of the opinion to the Chief-Justice; and when advised of the change I simply gave notice that I should read the opinion I had prepared as my own, and which is the one on file." From this time the pens of other judges were busy, and in the inner political circles of Washington the case of Dred Scott gradually became a shadowy and portentous _cause celebre_.
The first intimation which the public at large had of the coming new dictum was given in Mr.Buchanan's inaugural.

The fact that he did not contemplate such an announcement until after his arrival in Washington[5] leads to the inference that it was prompted from high quarters.

In Congressional and popular discussions the question of the moment was at what period in the growth of a Territory its voters might exclude or establish slavery.

Referring to this Mr.Buchanan said: "It is a judicial question, which legitimately belongs to the Supreme Court of the United States, before whom it is now pending, and will, it is understood, be speedily and finally settled.

To their decision, in common with all good citizens, I shall cheerfully submit, whatever this may be." The popular acquiescence being thus invoked by the Presidential voice and example, the court announced its decision two days afterwards--March 6, 1857.