As A Member Of The First United States Senate Ellsworth (1745-1807) Supported Alexander Hamilton's Policies And Was The Main Author Of The Judiciary Act Of 1789. He Became Chief Justice Of The Supreme Court In 1796. During His Brief Tenure, Which Ended In 1799 Due To Poor Health, Ellsworth Worked To Expand The Authority Of The Federal Courts And Extend Common Law Procedures In Appeals To Equity And Admiralty Cases. With Limited Success He Tried To Initiate The Policy Of The Court's Handing Down Per Curium Opinions For The Entire Court Rather Than Seriatim Opinions By Individual Justices.