“This government is acknowledged by all to be one of enumerated powers. The principle, that it can exercise only the powers granted to it,”

—  John Marshall

17 U.S. (4 Wheaton) 316, 405
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Context: This government is acknowledged by all to be one of enumerated powers. The principle, that it can exercise only the powers granted to it, would seem too apparent to have required to be enforced by all those arguments which it enlightened friends, while it was depending before the people, found it necessary to urge. That principle is now universally admitted. But the question respecting the extent of the powers actually granted, is perpetually arising, and will probably continue to arise, as long as our system shall exist.

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John Marshall 41
fourth Chief Justice of the United States 1755–1835

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