United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

United States v. Pillerin, 54 U.S. 13 How. 9 9 (1851)

United States v. Pillerin

54 U.S. (13 How.) 9

Syllabus

This Court again decides, as in 50 U. S. 9 How. 127, and 51 U. S. 10 How. 609, that French grants of land in Louisiana, made after the Treaty of Fontainbleau, by which Louisiana was ceded to Spain, are void unless confirmed by the Spanish authorities before the cession to the United States.

But if there has been continued possession under the grants so as to lay the foundation for presuming a confirmation by Spain, then the cases are not included within the acts of 1824 and 1844, which look only to inchoate and equitable titles. The district court of the United States has therefore no jurisdiction.

These four cases were land cases arising under the acts of 1824 and 1844, and were appeals from the District Court of the United States for Louisiana.

They were cases of French grants made after the treaty of Fontainbleau by which Louisiana was ceded to Spain.