Rodford v. Craig was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1809. The dispute arose when William Rodford, an Englishman who had been living in Virginia for several years, sued Thomas Craig over a debt of $200 that he claimed to be owed from 1793. Rodford argued that since he was an alien at the time of contracting the debt and not yet naturalized as a citizen of Virginia or any other state, his contract should be considered void under British common law which prohibited aliens from entering into contracts with citizens without special permission from Parliament. The Supreme Court disagreed and held that while it is true that aliens are generally unable to enter into contracts with citizens under British common law, this rule does not apply in America because there is no sovereign authority here capable of granting such permission; thus all persons residing within American borders have equal rights regardless of their citizenship status. Furthermore, they found that even if Rodford were still subject to English laws at the time he contracted the debt with Craig then those laws would also recognize his right to sue for payment due on said contract despite being an alien himself

In Rodford v. Craig, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a state court had jurisdiction over a case involving land in another state. The majority opinion held that it did not have such authority and dismissed the appeal. However, Justice Story dissented from this ruling on two grounds: first, he argued that there was no express prohibition against states exercising jurisdiction over cases outside their borders; second, he noted that if Congress had intended to limit such power they would have done so explicitly in legislation or by treaty with other nations. He concluded by stating his belief that allowing states to exercise jurisdiction beyond their borders is necessary for justice and equity between citizens of different states who may be involved in disputes concerning property located elsewhere.