Johnson v. McIntosh (1823)
The first of the decisions regarding the supremacy of the federal government was in Johnson v. McIntosh, in 1823. Two Indian tribes, the Illinois and the Pinakeshaw, had sold land to western settlers, but later sold the same land to the United States government. The Government then gave the land to other settlers, sparking outrage among the original purchasers. The court ruled that, because the Indians' claim to their own lands superseded all American laws, only the federal government could do business, such as land sales, with the tribes. Therefore, the original purchase was invalid.
The first of the decisions regarding the supremacy of the federal government was in Johnson v. McIntosh, in 1823. Two Indian tribes, the Illinois and the Pinakeshaw, had sold land to western settlers, but later sold the same land to the United States government. The Government then gave the land to other settlers, sparking outrage among the original purchasers. The court ruled that, because the Indians' claim to their own lands superseded all American laws, only the federal government could do business, such as land sales, with the tribes. Therefore, the original purchase was invalid.