John M'Learn and others, aliens and subjects of the King of Great Britain, appealed a decision made by James Wallace, administrator of James Hendley M'Learn. The appellants were challenging the validity of certain land titles in Georgia that had been granted to their deceased relative. Archibald M’Lellan and his wife were citizens of South Carolina who also held an interest in this case as they had purchased some lands from the estate. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled against John M’Learn et al., finding that under Georgia law at the time non-citizens could not hold title to real property within its borders; therefore any such grants would be invalidated upon death or transfer out-of-state. This ruling was based on long established principles regarding state sovereignty over matters relating to land ownership which have since been codified into federal laws governing interstate commerce between states.

In the case of John M'Learn and Others, Aliens and Subjects of the King of Great Britain v. James Wallace, a Citizen of the State Georgia, Administrator of James Hendley M'Learn, and Archibald M'Lellan and Wife, Citizens of South Carolina (1836), Justice McLean delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that aliens should be allowed to bring suits against citizens in state courts. He reasoned that since there was no federal law prohibiting such suits from being brought by aliens against citizens in state court proceedings then it would be unconstitutional for states to pass laws preventing them from doing so. Furthermore, he argued that if states were permitted to do this then they could effectively deny foreigners access to justice altogether as well as deprive them their right to due process under the law. In conclusion Justice McLean concluded that allowing aliens access to justice through state courts is necessary for protecting fundamental rights guaranteed by both international treaties as well as our own Constitution.