The other interesting part is that they didn't slap him silly, and willingly acceded to his viewpoint.
DOn't be surprised if the anser is the omnipotent 14TH AMENDMENT. :-}
I'll let Chief Justice John Marshall answer that.
Thus, the particular phraseology of the constitution of the United States confirms and strengthens the principle, supposed to be essential to all written constitutions, that a law repugnant to the constitution is void; and that courts, as well as other departments, are bound by that instrument.WILLIAM MARBURY v. JAMES MADISON, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. 1803