1681. CONSTITUTION (The Federal), Foundation of.—
I consider the foundation of
the Constitution as laid on this ground:
That “all powers not delegated to the
United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited
by it to the States, are reserved to the
States or to the people.” [XIIth Amendment.]
To take a single step beyond the
boundaries thus specifically drawn around the
powers of Congress, is to take possession of
a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible
of any definition.—
National Bank Opinion. Washington ed. vii, 556.
Ford ed., v, 285.
(1791)