McCulloch v. Maryland

Appellant

James William McCulloch

Appellee

State of Maryland

Appellant's Claim

That a fine imposed by the State of Maryland for operating the Bank of the United States in Baltimore was an improper interference with federal government operations.

Chief Lawyer for Appellant

Daniel Webster

Chief Lawyer for Appellee

Joseph Hopkinson

Justices for the Court

Gabriel Duvall, William Johnson, Henry Brockholst Livingston, John Marshall (writing for the Court), Joseph Story, Bushrod Washington

Justices Dissenting

None (Thomas Todd did not participate)

Place

Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision

7 March 1819

Decision

That the power to operate a bank was an implied power of the federal government under the Constitution.

Significance

The Court established the principle of implied powers, paving the way for the expansion of the role of the federal government.

Related Cases

• Thurlow v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 46 U.S. 504 (1847).
• First Agricultural National Bank of Berkshire County v. State Tax Commission, 392 U.S. 339 (1968).