[stuartcr]

I believe, Chancellor Kent was speaking as a Supreme Court Justice of the State of New York, not a Federal Judge.

[mhking]

I believe, Chancellor Kent was speaking as a Supreme Court Justice of the State of New York, not a Federal Judge.

In that context, Kent was being quoted and cited for support by Mr. Justice Brewer on behalf of the majority SCOTUS opinion, hence, in this context, his word is official.