As early as the 1780s, however, the pendulum had swung back, and many Americans looked to the courts to check the excesses of their legislators.
Americans have only recently started relying on the courts to settle their disputes. 
mnli hypothesis: Americans have only recently started relying on the courts to settle their disputes.  premise: As early as the 1780s, however, the pendulum had swung back, and many Americans looked to the courts to check the excesses of their legislators.