The Bridgeport case was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1871. The case involved a dispute between the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut and the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. The company had been granted a charter by the state of Connecticut to operate a ferry service between Bridgeport and Port Jefferson, New York. The city of Bridgeport sought to impose a tax on the company's ferry service, arguing that the company was operating a business within the city limits and thus subject to taxation. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the company, holding that the ferry service was not a business within the city limits and thus not subject to taxation. The Court reasoned that the ferry service was a public service, and that the company was merely providing a service to the public. The Court further held that the state of Connecticut had the authority to grant the charter to the company, and that the city of Bridgeport could not interfere with the company's operations. The Bridgeport case was an important decision in the development of the law of taxation. It established that the state has the authority to grant charters to companies, and that the city cannot interfere with the operations of those companies. The decision also established that the ferry service was a public service, and not a business, and thus not subject to taxation. The Bridgeport case has been cited in numerous subsequent cases involving taxation and the authority of the state to grant charters.

In the case of Bridgeport, Justice Field delivered a dissenting opinion. He argued that the majority's decision was based on an incorrect interpretation of the law and would lead to unjust results. He noted that Congress had intended for all navigable waters in the United States to be open and free for public use, but by allowing private parties to control access through tolls or other means, this right was being denied. Furthermore, he argued that such restrictions were not necessary as there were already laws in place which allowed local governments to regulate navigation if it became dangerous or impeded commerce. In conclusion, Justice Field believed that any attempt by private individuals or corporations to restrict access should be considered unconstitutional and invalidated accordingly.