In the case of Gonzales v. Cunningham in 1896, the U.S Supreme Court ruled on a dispute over land ownership in California. The plaintiff, Gonzales, claimed that he had purchased a piece of property from one Mr. Pio Pico and his wife under Spanish law before California became part of the United States. However, after becoming a state, California's laws did not recognize this type of sale as valid without certain formalities which were absent here. Therefore, when Cunningham later bought the same land from another party who held an American title to it and tried to evict Gonzales based on his superior claim under American law, litigation ensued. The court ultimately sided with Cunningham because at issue was whether or not Spanish or Mexican grants made prior to America’s acquisition should be recognized if they didn't meet all requirements for validity under those systems' own laws - something Congress had previously decided against doing unless there was evidence that such transactions were completed according to local customs at their time (which wasn’t proven here). Thusly reaffirming its commitment towards upholding domestic legislation even when it conflicts with foreign legal principles.

The dissenting opinion in the Gonzales v. Cunningham case argued that the majority's decision was incorrect because it failed to consider important aspects of constitutional law and precedent. The dissent believed that the Constitution does not grant Congress unlimited power over territories, but rather limits its authority to making rules and regulations for their governance. This means that while Congress can establish a territorial government, it cannot deprive citizens of fundamental rights or protections guaranteed by the Constitution. Furthermore, they contended that previous court decisions have established this principle clearly and consistently. Therefore, according to them, denying U.S citizens living in New Mexico Territory access to trial by jury violated their constitutional rights under both Fifth and Sixth Amendments.