In the case of James Williams v. The United States, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a slave who had been brought from Virginia into Pennsylvania could be convicted under federal law for attempting to escape his master and flee northward. The court held that Congress did not have authority over such matters as slavery in states, so it was up to state laws regarding fugitive slaves. Therefore, since there were no applicable state laws in this case, Williams’ conviction must be reversed and he should go free. This decision established an important precedent by limiting the power of Congress when it came to regulating slavery within individual states.

In the case of James Williams v. The United States, Justice McLean delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that the defendant had been denied due process of law. He contended that while Congress has broad authority to regulate commerce between states and with foreign nations, it does not have unlimited power to pass laws infringing on individual rights without providing for judicial review or other safeguards against abuse. Furthermore, he argued that if Congress is allowed to pass such laws without any checks or balances then individuals would be left at its mercy and could suffer arbitrary punishment without recourse. In conclusion, Justice McLean maintained that due process must be provided before any person can be deprived of their liberty by an act of Congress.