The Supreme Court, in the first of a long series of cases, granted the president broad powers to deal with war and foreign affairs.

When President James Madison called out the state militia in the War of 1812, Jacob Mott refused an order issued by his state’s governor to assemble for duty. Duly convicted, he appealed the penalty, which was the seizure of his property. The state court initially held for Mott, but the Supreme Court found the Constitution gave Congress the power to authorize the statute under which the president acted and that the president was the sole authority as to whether the terms of the statute required his action. Justice Joseph StoryStory, Joseph;Martin v. Mott[Martin v. Mott] wrote the unanimous decision for the seven-member Court.Presidential powers;Martin v. Mott[Martin v. Mott]

Foreign affairs and foreign policy

Presidential powers

War powers