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Aaron B. Cooley v. The Board of Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia

United States Supreme Court
53 U.S. (12 How.) 299, 13 L. Ed. 996 (1852)

Written by Megan Petersen, JD

Facts

Pennsylvania passed a law requiring all ships entering or leaving the Port of Philadelphia to use a local Pennsylvania captain, or to pay a fine amounting to half the fee for a local pilot that went to support retired Pennsylvania pilots. Cooley (plaintiff), a ship master who was not a Pennsylvania citizen, brought suit against the Board of Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia (defendant) to challenge the state’s regulation. Cooley argued that it was unconstitutional for the state to require him to pay half the fee of using a Pennsylvania pilot when he did not require one. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the Pennsylvania regulation, and Cooley appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Curtis, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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Concurrence (Daniel, J.)

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Dissent (McLean, J.)

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