Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
In 1810, the Yazoo Land Companies participated in widespread fraud regarding land granted by the federal government in Georgia. The Supreme Court became involved when the Georgia legislature attempted to repeal the land grants from which the companies originally obtained the territory. The court unanimously decided that the grants could not be repealed because of the binding nature of government contracts, even if corruption was involved. This decision was the first of many in which John Marshall upheld the sanctity of contracts.
In 1810, the Yazoo Land Companies participated in widespread fraud regarding land granted by the federal government in Georgia. The Supreme Court became involved when the Georgia legislature attempted to repeal the land grants from which the companies originally obtained the territory. The court unanimously decided that the grants could not be repealed because of the binding nature of government contracts, even if corruption was involved. This decision was the first of many in which John Marshall upheld the sanctity of contracts.