How did Justin Marshall justify ruling that Dartmouth charter was a contract?

Answer 1

Justin Marshall justified ruling that the Dartmouth College charter was a contract by emphasizing the importance of protecting private institutions from state interference. He argued that the charter, granted by the British crown in 1769, constituted a binding agreement that ensured the college's autonomy. Marshall maintained that altering the charter would violate the contract clause of the U.S. Constitution, thereby safeguarding the rights of the college and its stakeholders against legislative encroachment. This decision reinforced the principle that charters are contracts that should be upheld by the government.