Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816)

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

2) Summary of the Opinion
Virginia courts resisted enforcing a federal treaty claim to land ownership. The Supreme Court ruled it had appellate authority to review state-court decisions on federal law.

3) Why It Mattered
This decision established the Supreme Court’s power to ensure uniformity of federal law nationwide, even when state courts resisted.