Van Ness was the author of several political and judicial works, including: "Examination of Charges against Aaron Burr" (1803); "The Laws of New York, with Notes," (with John Woodworth), (2 vols. 1813); "Reports of Two Cases in the Prize Court for New York District" (1814); and "Concise Narrative of Gen. Jackson's First Invasion of Florida" (1826).