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The Baltimore city government had diverted certain streams within the city and those
efforts affected a wharf owner by lowering water levels. Barron sued for economic losses. Barron claimed
the city deprived him of property without just compensation as recognized in the Fifth
Amendment of the federal constitution. Chief Justice Marshall, concluded that a survey of the
history of the federal Bill of Rights only restrained the federal government, not state. That within
state boundaries, people must look to state constitutions for help. The Fourteenth
Amendment to the federal constitution opened the door to eventually overrule Barron. Full Text: Barron v. Baltimore, 32 U.S. (7 Pet.) 243,
(1833) |