Gibbons v. Ogden

US Supreme Court case of 1824 that established the federal government's authority over the states in the regulation of interstate commerce. The decision, involving steamboat operation between New York and New Jersey, abolished monopoly control over navigation and led to increased federal regulation of the economy.

The conflict arose when New York issued an injunction against Thomas Gibbons, prohibiting his steamboat operation between New York and New Jersey. Although Gibbons was federally licensed, his business was in violation of a state law that granted to Aaron Ogden a monopoly on all steamboat operation in New York. Gibbons appealed to the US Supreme Court, which ruled that the New York law was de facto interference with the federal regulation of interstate commerce and therefore was unconstitutional.

The case was argued by US Congressman (later secretary of state) Daniel Webster. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the opinion, which became an important interpretation of the commerce clause of the US Constitution.