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What was the case of William Searight, Commissioner and Superintendent of the Cumberland Road, within the State of Pennsylvania, against William B. Stokes and Lucius W. Stockton?

William Searight was a prominent figure in the management and operation of the Cumberland Road, also known as the National Road, during the height of its importance as a major transportation route in the early-to-mid 19th century.

As Commissioner and Superintendent of the Cumberland Road within Pennsylvania, Searight was responsible for overseeing the maintenance, toll collection, and general administration of this federally-funded highway.

The case of Searight v.

Stokes and Stockton centered around a dispute over control and regulation of the Cumberland Road within the state of Pennsylvania, as the federal government gradually ceded more authority to state governments.

The Supreme Court's 1845 decision in this case helped clarify the delineation of federal versus state jurisdiction over this interstate transportation infrastructure.

Searight's role as a state-appointed official overseeing a nationally-significant road placed him at the intersection of evolving federalism in the early American republic.

The Cumberland Road, begun in 1811, was one of the first major infrastructure projects undertaken by the federal government, predating the rise of the modern interstate highway system.

Toll collection was a critical aspect of the Cumberland Road's operations, with tollhouses like the one operated by Searight situated along the route to generate revenue for maintenance.

The defendants, Stokes and Stockton, were likely local residents or businesses who challenged Searight's authority to regulate tolls and traffic on the road within Pennsylvania.

The Supreme Court's ruling in this case helped affirm state-level control over certain aspects of the Cumberland Road's management, even as it remained a nationally significant transportation corridor.

Searight's dual role as both a state-appointed official and the operator of a popular tavern along the Cumberland Road highlights the intermingling of commercial and governmental interests in 19th century transportation infrastructure.

The case reflects the broader political and legal debates around federalism that were ongoing during this period, as the balance of power between the federal government and the states continued to evolve.

Searight's long tenure as Commissioner and Superintendent of the Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania underscores the importance of this position in overseeing a critical piece of the nation's emerging transportation network.

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