Answer:
Marbury was named a justice of the peace of the District of Columbia. President Adams had signed the papers,but the secretary of state, John Marshall, somehow neglected to deliver the papers necessary to finalize the appointment.
Back then , the city was shocked by smallpox epidemic. Since smallpox is easily transmitted by contact, overcrowded areas are the perfect breeding spot for smallpox ( they still has not developed small pox vaccine back then)
