Ware v. Hylton
Ware v. Hylton is a notable case from 1796 that addressed the tension between state laws and federal treaties in the United States. The backdrop of the case involves the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which mandated that states would not obstruct the collection of prewar debts. However, Virginia enacted a law allowing its citizens to settle these debts using depreciated currency, prompting legal challenges. The Supreme Court ruled that the federal treaty took precedence over Virginia's law, invoking the supremacy clause of the Constitution, which reinforces the authority of federal treaties.
This case is significant as it marked one of the early instances where the Supreme Court asserted the supremacy of federal law over state legislation, establishing a crucial precedent in American jurisprudence. The opinions rendered by the justices at the time reflected the evolving nature of the federal judicial system and its role in interpreting the Constitution. Notably, John Marshall, who later became a pivotal figure as Chief Justice, represented a debtor in this case, highlighting the complexities faced by individuals navigating legal obligations in the post-Revolutionary era. Ware v. Hylton thus serves as an important example of the foundations of federal authority and the relationship between state and federal powers in the United States.
Ware v. Hylton
Date: March 7, 1796
Citation: 3 U.S. 199
Issues: Treaties; federal supremacy
Significance: The Supreme Court established that U.S. treaties prevail over conflicting state laws.
The 1783 Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War specified that the newly independent states would not interfere with the collection of prewar debts, but Virginia passed a law allowing its citizens to pay the Virginia treasury in depreciated currency and receive a certificate satisfying the debt. John Marshall, who later became chief justice, unsuccessfully represented a Virginia debtor, losing the only case he argued before the Supreme Court. The Court clearly ruled the treaty valid and binding on Virginia because of the supremacy clause, Article VI of the Constitution, which established the supremacy of federal treaties over conflicting state laws. Justices Samuel Chase, William Paterson, James Wilson, and William Cushing each wrote a serial opinion as was the custom at the time. Justices Oliver Ellsworth and James Iredell did not participate, but Iredell later submitted a written opinion for the record.
