In addressing his lengthy judicial career, this book also examines the operation of the trial court system in 19th Century America in terms of cases adjudicated, their significance, and the trial court's impact on the community. During his four decades on the bench, from the time of the California gold rush to the anti-Chinese movement of the 1880's, Hoffman dealt with a wide range of cases that involved adjudicating land grant conflicts and bankruptcy cases and presiding over admiralty, criminal, and common law and equity dockets. Because Hoffman was a trial judge, his experience provides useful insights into the nature of the judicial process and the workings of common law. Since he rarely decided appeals, his judgeship is an important counterpoint to the type of judicial experience from which most of current understanding of common law is drawn. Hoffman's judgeship also provides a detailed picture of Federal trial court practice over time. The author discusses how Hoffman came to comprehend his role as a Federal judge and how his court was used by litigants. Notes, tables, and figures