Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States

Cooper v. Telfair

Cooper v. Telfair, 4 U.S. (4 Dall.) 14 (1800)

Type
Opinion
Court
Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction
Federal
Date
1800-02-13
Topic
litigation

How later courts describe this case

  • "`all and every the persons, named and included in the said act [declaring persons guilty of treason] are banished from the said state [Georgia]'"
  • "The right to confiscate and banish, in the case of an offending citizen, must belong to every government."

Citator

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Cited by
41 opinions

Headnotes

  1. Constitutional Law — Judicial Review A legislative act that plainly and obviously violates the constitution is void; but to authorize a court to pronounce any law void, the breach of the constitution must be clear and unequivocal, not a doubtful and argumentative implication, and the presumption is always in favor of the validity of laws unless the contrary is clearly demonstrated. 4 U.S. at 18–19
  2. Constitutional Law — Separation of Powers Where the legislative power of a government is undefined, it includes the judicial and executive attributes; and the power to confiscate and banish offending citizens, which cannot be exercised by the ordinary judicial tribunals whose process cannot reach the offenders, naturally and tacitly belongs to the legislature and is so inherent in it that it cannot be divested or transferred without an express provision of the constitution. 4 U.S. at 19
  3. Constitutional Law — Trial by Jury — Place of Offense Where a constitution provides for trial by jury only for offenses committed within a county of the state, a person charged with an offense not committed within any county cannot claim the benefit of a trial by jury under the constitution; and a party challenging a confiscation and banishment act on constitutional grounds must at least show that the offense charged was committed in some county of the state. 4 U.S. at 18
  4. Constitutional Law — State Constitutions — General Principles The general principles contained in a constitution, such as the separation of the legislative, executive, and judicial powers, are not to be regarded as rules to fetter and control, but as matter merely declaratory and directory; and the constitutions of the several states, though containing the same general principles and restrictions, were not understood to apply to a case of confiscation and banishment of citizens who had joined the enemy during the revolution. 4 U.S. at 18–19
  5. Constitutional Law — Judicial Power to Declare Laws Void — Revolutionary Legislation There is a material difference between laws passed by the individual states during the revolution and laws passed subsequent to the organization of the federal constitution; and whether the power to invalidate unconstitutional laws can be employed under the existing constitution to invalidate laws previously enacted turns upon very different principles. 4 U.S. at 18
COOPER v. TELFAIR,4 U.S. 14(1800)
CooperversusTelfair.
FEBRUARY TERM, 1800.
ERROR from the Circuit Court for the district ofGeorgia. The record exhibited the following case:Basil Cooper, at present of the island ofJamaica, in the dominions of hisBritannicmajesty, formerly an inhabitant of the state ofGeorgia, brought an action in the Circuit Court ofGeorgiatoNovemberterm 1797, againstEdward Telfair, of the district ofGeorgia, upon a bond for 1000l. sterling, equal to 4285 70/100 dollars, dated the 14th ofMay1774.

After oyer of the bond and condition, the defendant pleaded in bar, 1st. Payment.2d. "That, on the 4th day ofMay1782, an act "was passed by the legislature of the state ofGeorgiaentitled `An "act for inflicting penalties on and confiscating the estate of such "persons as are therein declared guilty of treason, and for other purposes "therein mentioned,' by which it is, among other things enacted "and declared, `that all and every the persons, named and included "in the said act, are banished from the said state; and that "all and singular the estate real and personal of each and every of "the aforesaid persons, which they held, possessed, or were entitledPage 15"to in law, or equity, on the 19th day ofApril1775, and "which they have held since, or do hold, in possession, or others "holding in trust for them, or to which they are, or may be, "entitled in law, or equity, or which they may have, hold, or be "possessed of in right of others, together with all debts, dues "and demands of whatsoever nature, that are or may be owing to "the aforesaid persons, or either of them, be confiscated to and for "the use and benefit of this state.' That the saidBasilCooperis "expressly named and included in the above in part recited acts; "and that he was on the said 4th day ofMay1782, and for a "long time before a citizen of the state ofGeorgia, and of the "United StatesofAmerica. That the saidBasilCooper, being a "citizen, c. owing allegiance, c. on the 4th ofMay1782, and for "a long time before, adhered to the troops of hisBritannicmajesty, "then at open war with the said state ofGeorgiaandUnited"StatesofAmerica, and did take up arms with the said troops, c. "That the saidBasil Cooperhath never since returned within the "limits and jurisdiction of the saidUnited States, or either of "them. That by virtue of the above recited act, and, also, of an "act entitled `An act to continue an act to authorise the auditor "to liquidate the demands of such persons as have claims against "the confiscated estates, and for other purposes therein mentioned,' "passed the 13thFebruary1786; and of another act entitled "`An act to compel the settlement of the public accounts, for "inflicting penalties on the officers of this state, who may neglect "their duty, and for vesting the auditors with certain powers for "the more speedy settlement of the accounts of this state, with "theUnited States,' passed the 10th ofFebruary1787; the sum "of money mentioned in the condition of the bond, and all interest "thereon, have become forfeited and confiscated to the state of "Georgia; and the right of action attached thereto; and no cause "of action hath accrued to the saidBasil Cooperto demand and "have of the saidEdward Telfair, the said sum of money c."

To this plea, the plaintiff replied, "that he was never tried, "convicted, or attainted, of the crime of treason alleged against "him; and that by the constitution of the state (in force at the "time of passing the acts in the said plea set forth, to wit, on "the 4th day ofMay1782), unanimously agreed to in a convention "of the people of this state, on the 5th ofFebruary"1777, it is ordained, that

"Article1. The legislative, executive, and judiciary, departments "shall be separate and distinct, so that neither exercise "the powers properly belonging to the other.

"Article7. The house of assembly shall have power to make "such laws and regulations, as may be conducive to the good "order and well-being of the state, provided such laws and regulations "be not repugnant to the true intent and meaning of "any rule, or regulation, contained in this constitution.Page 16

"Article39. All matters of breach of the peace, felony, murder, "and treason against the state, to be tried in the county "where the crime was committed, c.

"Article60. The principles of thehabeas corpusact shall be "part of this constitution.

"Article61. The freedom of the press, and the trial by jury, "to remain inviolate forever.

"And that the said recited acts, so far as they can operate "to bar the saidBasilfrom maintaining his action, are repugnant "to the true intent and meaning of divers rules and regulations "contained in the said constitution, and are as to the "action of the saidBasilnull and void: Without that, c."

The defendant demurred to the replication; and the plaintiff joined in demurrer.

On the 2d ofMay1799, the Circuit Court, composed of ELLSWORTH,Chief Justice, and CLAY,District Judge, decided, that the replication was insufficient; that the plea in bar was sufficient; and that judgment on the demurrer be entered for the defendant.

Upon this judgment the present writ of error was brought, and the following errors assigned:

1. The general errors.

2. That the plea does not set forth the constitutional power of the legislature ofGeorgia, to deprive the plaintiff of his rights as a citizen; and, on their own authority, to pass sentence of of confiscation and banishment.

3. That the judgment decides that the legislature had cognizance of the treason alleged against the plaintiff and could legally try, convict, and banish him; whereas they had no such power on constitutional principles.

4. That by the judgment it appears, the legislature could deprive individuals of their lives and property, without trial by jury, or inquest of office, contrary to the constitution ofGeorgia.

5. That the judgment gives effect to an act ofGeorgia, which is an union and usurpation of judicial, as well as legislative powers; which powers the constitution declares should be kept separate.
The case was argued byE. Tilghman, for the plaintiff, and byIngersollandDallas, for the defendant, on the 7th ofFebruary1800, upon the general question, whether the confiscation acts ofGeorgia, were repugnant to the constitution of the state, and, therefore, void?For the Plaintiff:1st. If the law is contrary to the constitution, the law is void; and the judiciary authority, either of the state, or of theUnited States, may pronounce it to be so. 2Dall. 308. 410. 3Dall. 383.2d. The law is contrary to the constitution, inasmuch as it is an exercise of the judicial power, by the legislativePage 17authority, in opposition to an express prohibition of such an union of jurisdiction. That acts of attainder, banishment, and confiscation, are an exercise of judicial power, theEnglish, as well as theAmerican, authorities, clearly establish. 2Woodes. Lect. 621, 2. 11State Trials, 25. 6State Trials, 405. 4Co. Inst. 2Woodes. 147. 3Dall. 389. 3. Whatever rightGeorgiahad toconfiscatethe property of her enemy; yet, as the pleadings show the plaintiff to have been a citizen, his property could only be forfeited by the regular judgment of a Court, upon a trial by his peers, or the law of the land. As the case is now presented, it is a legislative act, by which the property of an individual citizen is arbitrarily taken from him, and given to the state ofGeorgia. 3Dall. 388, 389.For the defendant:It is conceded, that if the law plainly and obviously violates the constitution ofGeorgia, it is void, and never was a valid rule of action. The only question, therefore, to be discussed, is, whether such a fatal collision actually exists? Or, in other words, whether the legislature ofGeorgiahad a power, consistently with the constitution, to pass a law, confiscating the property of her own citizens, who had fled beyond the reach of the ordinary legal process? 1st.Georgia, at the time of passing the law, was a sovereign, independent, state, with all the rights, prerogatives, and powers resulting from that character; except so far as she had expressly devolved on congress, a portion of her sovereignty; an exception that does not affect the present case.2d. To a corporation of the most limited nature, the power of passing by-laws is a necessary incident. And to every sovereign legislature, an indefinite power of making laws, is equally an incident, restricted only by impossibilities; for, even if they should be against natural justice,Blackstonetells us, they would be valid.3d. The constitution ofGeorgiadoes not declare, that "no bill of attainder shall be passed." There is, therefore, no express restriction of the sovereign legislative authority upon the subject; and to decide in favour of the restriction, would be to make,ex post facto, not to enforce, the constitution ofGeorgia. 4th. Such acts of attainder and confiscation were not novelties inAmerica, any more than inEngland. 2Woodes.Lect. 621. 624. 497, 498. 622. Seeconfiscation acts of theseveral states. They are exercises of political authority, rather than of judicial power: they are laws, not judgments. And as the power of attainder, banishment, and confiscation, is essential to the existence and operations of government, yet, cannot be exercised by the ordinary tribunals of justice; it naturally belongs to the sovereign, that is, to the legislature of the nation. 5th. But, independent of the necessity of the existence of such a power, and of the implication that it does exist under every constitution, unless it is expressly excluded, a just analysis of the various clauses of the constitutionPage 18itself, (which contemplates a trial by jury only in the case of an offence committed within a county of the state) the cotemporaneous construction of the legislature ofGeorgia, the corroborative example of other states, whose constitutions contain the same provisions, and even the authoritative recommendations of congress, with the recognitions of the treaty of peace; demonstrate the legitimacy and validity of the acts of attainder and confiscation, which naturally grew out of the revolutionary war. 6th. Attainder and confiscation acts are most common inEngland; yet, generally speaking, the judicial power and the legislative power, are there kept separate and distinct.Blackstone, Woodeson, Montesquieu, De Lolme. They are the exercise of a constitutional power of legislation: 2Wood. 621. 647. And to exercise a power, not within the scope of the judicial authority, cannot be confounding the distinct branches of the government.
On the 13th ofFebruary1800, the Judges (except theChiefJustice, who had decided the cause in the Circuit Court) delivered their opinions,seriatim, in substance as follows:

WASHINGTON,Justice.
The constitution ofGeorgiadoes not expressly interdict the passing of an act of attainder and confiscation, by the authority of the legislature. Is such an act, then, so repugnant to any constitutional regulation, as to be excepted from the legislative jurisdiction, by a necessary implication? Where an offence is not committed within some county of the state, the constitution makes no provision for a trial, neither as to the place, nor as to the manner. Is such an offence (perhaps the most dangerous treason) to be considered as beyond the reach of the government, even to forfeit the property of the offender, within its territorial boundary? If the plaintiff in error had shown, that the offence, with which he was charged, had been committed in any county ofGeorgia, he might have raised the question of conflict and collision, between the constitution and the law: but as that fact does not appear, there is no ground on which I could be prepared to say, that the law is void. The presumption, indeed, must always be in favour of the validity of laws, if the contrary is not clearly demonstrated.
CHASE,Justice.
I agree, for the reason which has been assigned, to affirm the judgment. Before the plaintiff in error could claim the benefit of a trial by jury, under the constitution, it was, at least, incumbent upon him to show, that the offence charged was committed in some county ofGeorgia, in which case alone the constitution provides for the trial. But even if he had established that fact, I should not have thought the law a violation of the constitution. The general principles contained in the constitution are not to be regarded as rules to fetter and controul; but as matter merely declaratory and directory: for, even in the constitutionPage 19itself, we may trace repeated departures from the theoretical doctrine, that the legislative, executive, and judicial powers, should be kept separate and distinct.

There is, likewise, a material difference between laws passed by the individual states, during the revolution, and laws passed subsequent to the organization of the federal constitution. Few of the revolutionary acts would stand the rigorous test now applied: and although it is alleged that all acts of the legislature, in direct opposition to the prohibitions of the constitution, would be void; yet, it still remains a question, where the power resides to declare it void? It is, indeed, a general opinion, it is expressly admitted by all this bar, and some of the Judges have, individually, in the Circuits, decided, that the Supreme Court can declare an act of congress to be unconstitutional, and, therefore, invalid; but there is no adjudication of the Supreme Court itself upon the point.1I concur, however, in the general sentiment, with reference to the period, when the existing constitution came into operation; but whether the power, under the existing constitution, can be employed to invalidate laws previously enacted, is a very different question, turning upon very different principles; and with respect to which I abstain from giving an opinion; since, on other ground, I am satisfied with the correctness of the judgment of the Circuit Court.
PATERSON,Justice.
I consider it as a sound political proposition, that wherever the legislative power of a government isundefined, it includes the judicial and executive attributes. The legislative power ofGeorgia, though it is in some respects restricted and qualified, is not defined by the constitution of the state. Had, then, the legislature power to punish its citizens, who had joined the enemy, and could not be punished by the ordinary course of law? It is denied, because it would be an exercise of judicial authority. But the power of confiscation and banishment does not belong to the judicial authority, whose process could not reach the offenders: and yet, it is a power, that grows out of the very nature of the social compact, which must reside somewhere, and which is so inherent in the legislature, that it cannot be divested, or transferred, without an express provision of the constitution.

The constitutions of several of the other states of the union, contain the same general principles and restrictions; but it never was imagined, that they applied to a case like the present; and to authorise this Court to pronounce any law void, it must be a clear and unequivocal breach of the constitution, not a doubtful and argumentative implication.Page 20
CUSHING,Justice.
Although I am of opinion, that this Court has the same power, that a Court of the state ofGeorgiawould possess, to declare the law void, I do not think that the occasion would warrant an exercise of the power. The right to confiscate and banish, in the case of an offending citizen, must belong to every government. It is not within the judicial power, as created and regulated by the constitution ofGeorgia: and it naturally, as well as tacitly, belongs to the legislature.
By the COURT:
Let the judgment be affirmed with costs.
  1. Page 19 The point has since been decided affirmativel by the Supreme Court inMarburyv.Madison, 1Cranch's Rep. 137. SeeDall. Rep. ↩