| From Chapter: Contract Clause What did the Supreme Court hold in Proprietors of Charles River Bridge v. Proprietors of Warren Bridge (1837)? |
| The Court held that Massachusetts did not impair the obligation of its contract with the Charles River Bridge Company by chartering the Warren Bridge Company to operate a rival bridge. The Court held that Mass. neither gave exclusive control over the waters of the river nor invaded corporate privilege by interfering with the company's profit-making ability. In balancing private and public rights, the Court found that the community interest in creating new channels of travel and trade had priority. |