In the case of Eleazer Carver v. Joseph A. Hyde and Others, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a deed given by an Indian tribe to a non-Indian could be enforced in court. The plaintiff argued that he had purchased land from members of the Menominee Tribe and should have been granted title to it as per his agreement with them. However, defendants argued that because Indians were not considered citizens under federal law at this time, they did not have legal standing or authority to enter into such agreements with non-Indians and thus any contract between them was invalid. After considering both sides’ arguments, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Carver stating that while Indians may not be considered citizens under federal law, their rights are still protected by treaty obligations which must be respected when dealing with matters involving land ownership or other transactions between Native Americans and non-Indians alike.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Eleazer Carver v. Joseph A. Hyde and Others argued that the plaintiff was not entitled to recover damages from the defendants, as he had failed to prove his ownership of a certain tract of land at issue in this dispute. The majority opinion held that since there were no deeds or other documents proving ownership, it could be assumed that Carver had acquired title by adverse possession - meaning he occupied and used the property for an extended period without challenge from its rightful owner. However, Justice McLean dissented on this point, arguing that even if Carver did possess such rights through adverse possession they would only extend so far as what was necessary for his own use; any further claim to exclusive right over all parts of the land must be proven with evidence beyond mere occupancy alone. He concluded by stating that while it may have been reasonable to assume some kind of legal interest in part or all of the disputed property due to long-term occupation, such assumptions should not replace actual proof when determining matters involving real estate titles and disputes between parties claiming them.