Gibbons v. Ogden · ¶55

Although Congress cannot enable a State to legislate, Congress may adopt the provisions of a Staie on any subject. When the government of the Union was brought into existence, it found a system for the regulation of its pilots in full force in every State. The act which has been mentioned, adopts this system, and gives it the same vaii-dity as if its provisions had been specially made by Congress. But the act, it may be said, is. prospective also, and the adoption of laws to be made in future, presupposes the right in the maker to legislate on the subject. °

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