Dartmouth College v. Woodward 1819
Background: Republicans in the New Hampshire government wanted to revise Dartmouth College's charter, granted in 1769 by King George III, to turn the private college into a state university. This was in order to help achieve the Republican vision of an educated electorate.
Issue: Was the royal charter a contract, and therefore protected by the same doctrine upheld in Fletcher v. Peck?
Ruling/Impact: The Court upheld its previous ruling and stated that corporation charters, such as the ones granted by the colonial legislature, were contracts and consequently, inviolable. This placed important restrictions on the state government's ability to control corporations.
Issue: Was the royal charter a contract, and therefore protected by the same doctrine upheld in Fletcher v. Peck?
Ruling/Impact: The Court upheld its previous ruling and stated that corporation charters, such as the ones granted by the colonial legislature, were contracts and consequently, inviolable. This placed important restrictions on the state government's ability to control corporations.