Andreas Janszoon (26 May 1764 - 9 October 1839) was a Brunanter statesman. He was one of the main authors of the Constitution of 1802 and co-orchestrated the Coup of 1809. Upon this, the served as President of the Supreme Court from 1809-1820. In his later career, he led the liberal faction in the House of Representatives and was President of the House from 1830-1838. He also briefly served as Minister of Justice.
History[]
Early life[]
Janszoon was born in 1764 in Grijzestad. His father was a Royal Guard soldier who died during the Battle of Grijzestad in 1784. With financial support from his uncle, Andreas studied law at the Grijzestad University. During James Carrington's regime, he was a practicing lawyer for both Carrington's supporters and former Royal Guard soldiers who opposed his invasion.
Upon the failed military Coup of 1800, Janszoon moved to Nieuw Helmond, where he befriended Frans Jordens and pledged his support for the new King Ambroos. The new monarch worked on a constitution and was assisted by several jurists and military commanders who backed his ideas on state structure. Janszoon famously wrote down the articles in the Constitution of 1802 about the division of powers and the judicial branch of government. Some historians state that he created the Supreme Court; his idea of the Brunanter judiciary system was based on both the French system established under Napoleon and the Supreme Court of the United States.
From 1802-1809, Janszoon served in the newly-founded and non-elected House of Representatives. He quickly became a member of the liberals opposed to the conservative reformists like Walter van der Ecke and Frans Jordens. During the Coup of 1809, van der Ecke replaced David James Carrington as president.
Supreme Court[]
President van der Ecke hoped to divide and dismember the liberal faction in the House, which was becoming more powerful and blocking conservative legislation. He handed out several posts to high-ranked liberals. He appointed Janszoon President of the Supreme Court, a position the latter had wanted since he created this institution in 1802. Janszoon succeeded James Golding, who took up a cabinet position under van der Ecke. Upon taking his oath as chief justice of Brunant, Janszoon left the House.
Janszoon famously shaped the Supreme Court throughout his presidency. The Constitution was not always clear on its functioning and its tasks related to legislation adopted by the Congress. With several noted arrests, he gave more meaning to the role of chief justice and indirectly enlarged the Supreme Court's powers throughout the 1810s.
Later career[]
Janszoon resigned as President of the Supreme Court in 1820, when several liberal politicians asked for his congressional comeback. He returned to the House, where he led the liberal faction for several years. In 1830, he was made President of the House, an office he held until the death of van der Ecke in 1838. With the presidency vacant, Janszoon and other leading liberals hoped for Janszoon to succeed van der Ecke, but King Cristian installed his close adviser, liberal politician Hendrik Neyt, as the new president. Janszoon was made Minister of Justice in Neyt's cabinet and gave up the House presidency. He died on 9 October 1839.