Corfield v. Coryell

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Corfield v. Coryell
Court
Citation 6 Fed. Cas. 546, (E.D. Pa. 1823)
Date decided

Facts

A N.J. statute forbade anyone not "an actual inhabitant or resident" of the state to gather clams and oysters from the state's waters.

Issues

Is the N.J. statute a violation of the Privileges and Immunities Clause and did the law regulate interstate commerce in violation of the Commerce Clause?

Holding

No, the N.J. state law was permissible. The privileges that must be preserved are those that are fundamental; the fish within the state's waters were the common property of the state's citizens and it would be going too far to give equal right to non-residents under the privileges and immunities clause.

Comments

Fundamental privileges include:

  • Protection by the government.
  • Right to acquire and possess property
  • Right to pursue and obtain happiness and safety, subject to police power