Gibbons v. Ogden · ¶13

If commerce does not include navigation, the government of the Union has no direct power over that subject, and can make no law prescribing what shall constitute American vessels, or requiring that they shall be navigated by American seamen. Yet this power has been exercised from the commencement of the government, has been exercised with the consent, of all, and has been understood by all to bé a commercial regulation. AIL America understands, and has uniformly understood, the word “ commerce,” to comprehend navigation.. It was so understood; and must have been so understood, when the constitution was framed. The. power over commerce, including navigation, was one of the primary objects for which the people of America adopted their government, and must have been contemplated in. forming it. The convention must have used the, word in that sense, because all have understood it in that…

U. S. Reports, bound volume
U. S. Reports, volume 22, at 1 (Library of Congress) · transcription: Caselaw Access Project
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