Gibbons v. Ogden · ¶51

The acts of Congress, passed in 1796 and 1799, empowering.and directing the officers of the general government to. conform to, and assist in the execution of the quarantine and health laws of a State, proceed, it is said, upon the idea that these laws are constitutional. It is undoubtedly true, that they do proceed upon that idea; and the constitutionality of such laws has never, so far as we are informed, been denied. But the)' do not imply an acknowledgment that a State may rightfully regulate commerce with foreign nations, or among the States; for they db not imply that such laws are an exercise of that power, or enacted with a view to it. On the contrary, they a^e treated as quarantine and health laws, áre so denominated in the acts of Congress, and are considered as flowing from the acknowledged power of a State, to provide for the health of its citizens. But, as it was apparent…

U. S. Reports, bound volume
U. S. Reports, volume 22, at 1 (Library of Congress) · transcription: Caselaw Access Project
Passage preview. Read in context for the complete text, notes and references.