[Dartmourth College] Farrar, Timothy. Report of the Case of the Trustees of Dartmouth College against William H. Woodward. Portsmouth, NH, [1819]. 8vo. Original paper backed boards, paper spine label.
A landmark case that appeared before the Supreme Court in the early years of the United States. Upon the removal of Dartmouth College's president by its Trustees, the New Hampshire legislature attempted to invalidate the College's charter and make it a public institution, so that the governor could appoint trustees to the college directly. The Supreme Court upheld the sanctity of the original charter of the college, which predated the creation of the State, and that it was protected by the contract clause of the Constitution.
The prevailing view is that this case is one of the most important Supreme Court rulings, which strengthened the Contracts Clause and limited the power of the States to interfere with private charters, including those of commercial enterprises resulting in the rise of the American business corporation and the American free enterprise system.
Marvin 303; Harvard Law Catalogue 671; Sabin 23887; Shaw & Shoemaker 47960.
Condition: Minor rubbing, some chipping to spine. Scattered foxing.