> "the indian nations had always been considered as distinct, independent political communities, retaining their original natural rights, as the undisputed possessors of the soil...with the single exception of...irresistible power, which excluded them from intercourse with any other european potentate than the first discoverer... this was a restriction which those european potentates imposed on themselves, as well as on the indians." 31 u.s. at 559. marshall emphasizes that native nations were recognized as sovereign entities with inherent rights to their land. the only limitation imposed on them was the european practice of restricting foreign relations to the first european nation to claim the territory, a rule created by european powers themselves. ``` "the very term 'nation,' so generally applied to them, means 'a people distinct from others.'" 31 u.s. at 559. marshall highlights the consistent use of the term "nation" to describe native tribes, reinforcing their status as independent political entities recognized by the u.s. and european powers. ``` > "the constitution, by declaring treaties already made, as well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, has adopted and sanctioned the previous treaties with the indian nations, and consequently admits their rank among those powers who are capable of making treaties." 31 u.s. at 559-60. the u.s. constitution upholds treaties with native nations as the "supreme law of the land," thus recognizing their sovereignty and treaty-making capacity on par with other nations. ```
United States