Aaron B. Cooley v. The Board of Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia
Supreme Court of the United States
53 U.S. (12 How.) 299 (1851)
Relevant factsFree
Aaron B. Cooley (plaintiff) challenged a Pennsylvania law requiring ships at the Port of Philadelphia to hire a local pilot or pay a penalty, enforced by the Board of Wardens (defendant). Cooley argued the pilotage regulation was unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause.
IssueFree
Whether a state may regulate purely local aspects of interstate commerce without conflicting with Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.