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At the outbreak of the Revolution, many Americans owed money to British citizens, merchants and others. The Treaty of 1783 provided for their payment. But many obstacles were thrown in the way. State governments having provided, or even providing after the ratification of the treaty, that they might be paid into the treasury of the State, which would then refuse to entertain suits on the part of the creditors. The apprehension that a Federal judiciary would compel these debts to be paid was one cause of opposition to the Constitution of 1787. In 1796, in the case of Ware vs. Hylton, the Supreme Court decided that such debts must be paid.