Simeon Benjamin brought a case against Oliver B. Hillard and Moses C. Mordecai, claiming that they had wrongfully taken possession of his property in the state of Georgia. The Supreme Court found that the defendants had not acted unlawfully, as their actions were authorized by an act passed by the legislature of Georgia which allowed them to take possession of certain lands for public use without compensation or notice to those affected. Furthermore, it was determined that Benjamin's claim was barred due to a statute of limitations set forth in the same act; thus he could not recover any damages from Hillard and Mordecai even if their actions were unlawful. In conclusion, this ruling affirmed that states have broad authority over private land when it is necessary for public purposes and can limit individuals' rights through statutes such as statutes of limitation on claims related to these matters.

In the case of Simeon Benjamin v. Oliver B. Hillard and Moses C. Mordecai, Justice Nelson delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that the plaintiff had not been given due process under the law when his property was seized by Hillard and Mordecai without any legal authority to do so. He noted that there were no proceedings taken against Benjamin before or after his property was taken, nor did they have any right to take it from him as they had done; thus, their actions constituted an illegal seizure of private property for which damages should be awarded to Benjamin for its wrongful taking. Furthermore, Nelson argued that even if some form of legal action had been initiated against Benjamin prior to seizing his goods, such action would still have been invalid because it lacked sufficient notice or opportunity for him to defend himself in court - both essential elements required by law when depriving someone of their rights or possessions.