The Brooklyn Park Commissioners, Respondents v. James Armstrong, Appellant

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that the 1861 statute gave the City of Brooklyn fee simple title to the park lands, that the legislature could subsequently authorize the sale of portions of the park, and that the 1870 act extinguishing the lien pledged for bond payment violated the federal Contract Clause. Accordingly, the lower court's judgment was reversed and the sale was deemed invalid.