“An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.” —John Marshall (1819)

In an interesting aside the Plaintiff in this matter was represented by the distinguished Daniel Webster.  The decision in McCulloch v. Maryland may be read in its entirety here:

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/a6_2s34.html