“ Even when an individual is the owner of a harbor, under a grant from the Crown or by proscription, he holds it subject to the right of the public to make use of it and of the State to control it. The Government has the power, also, of closing particular harbors or ports, either absolutely, or to certain lines of imports or exports. It has the power, too, of regulating all harbor fees and the conduct of business transacted in harbors. ”

“ Large appropriations are frequently made by Congress for the improvement and defense of harbors, and the Federal Government, under its power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, exercises a large degree of control over most ports. ”