Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Georgia attempted to rescind land grants that were issued through corruption. The Supreme Court ruled that voiding those grants impaired contracts, which the Constitution forbids states from doing.

3) Why It Mattered
This was the first time the Supreme Court struck down a state law as unconstitutional. It established the Court’s authority to check state legislation against the federal Constitution.

4) What It Provided or Took Away

• Provided: Stronger contract protections for private parties.
• Took Away: States’ power to retroactively cancel grants and contracts once finalized.

5) Overreach or Proper Role?
It was an assertive move against state power, but it flowed directly from the text of the Contracts Clause.

6) Plain-English Impact Today
States can regulate contracts, but they cannot simply rip up finalized agreements or property rights without running into constitutional limits.

• Contracts Clause
• State Power
• Land Grants