In the 1891 case of Scott v. Ellery, the United States Supreme Court addressed a dispute over land ownership in California. The plaintiff, Scott, claimed that he had purchased property from one Mr. Pioche who allegedly held legal title to it under Mexican law prior to California's admission into the Union as a state in 1850. However, defendant Ellery argued that Pioche never legally owned the land and thus could not have sold it to Scott; instead, he asserted his own claim based on subsequent federal legislation governing distribution of unclaimed lands in California after its statehood was established. The Supreme Court ruled against Scott and upheld Ellery’s claim to ownership. They found no evidence supporting Scott's assertion that Pioche held valid title under Mexican law before 1850 or any proof showing transfer of such rights from Mexico to him through purchase or inheritance - which would be necessary for his claim under U.S laws respecting property rights existing at time when territory changed sovereignty (from Mexico). Furthermore they noted even if such evidence existed it wouldn't overcome fact Congress hadn’t recognized those claims by appropriate action required by Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending war with Mexico.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Scott v. Ellery argued that the majority's decision to uphold a law prohibiting non-residents from fishing in Rhode Island waters was unconstitutional. The dissent contended that this law violated both the Privileges and Immunities Clause, which prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states, and the Commerce Clause, which gives Congress exclusive power over interstate commerce. They believed that fish are part of a state's natural resources and should be available for all U.S citizens to use freely without discrimination based on their residency status. Furthermore, they argued that by restricting access to its fisheries only to residents, Rhode Island was effectively regulating interstate commerce - an authority reserved solely for Congress under the Constitution.