Chisholm vs. Georgia 1793

To begin with, each case reviewed by the Supreme Court sets a precedent that is applicable to cases being heard even today. The earliest case available on www.Oyez.com is Chisholm vs. Georgia 1793. The purpose of the case was to answer a main question (which is presented below.) This goes on to prove that a minor issue can still uphold as a law/ precedent over 200 years later.


Facts of the Case:

In 1777, the Executive Council of Georgia authorized the purchase of needed supplies from a South Carolina businessman. After receiving the supplies, Georgia did not deliver payments as promised. After the merchant's death, the executor of his estate, Alexander Chisholm, took the case to court in an attempt to collect from the state. Georgia maintained that it was a sovereign state not subject to the authority of the federal courts.

Question:

Was the state of Georgia subject to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the federal government?

Conclusion:

In a 4-to-1 decision, the justices held that "the people of the United States" intended to bind the states by the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the national government. The Court held that supreme or sovereign power was retained by citizens themselves, not by the "artificial person" of the State of Georgia. The Constitution made clear that controversies between individual states and citizens of other states were under the jurisdiction of federal courts. State conduct was subject to judicial review. [Oyez]