United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

United States v. Perot, 98 U.S. 428 (1878)

United States v. Perot

98 U.S. 428

Syllabus

1. Spanish grants made in Texas for lands in the "Neutral Ground," east of the Sabine, from 1790 to 1800, are valid.

2. The Mexican league applicable to grants of such lands, being a square of 5000 varas on each side, has always been estimated at 4428.4 acres, the vara being considered 33 1/3 American inches.

3. The true Mexican vara is slightly less than 33 American inches, but by use in California it is estimated at 33 inches, and in Texas at 33 1/3 inches.

4. The common usage of a country in reference to its measures should be followed in estimating them when mentioned in grants taking effect there.

5. Where countries have been acquired by the United States, its courts take judicial notice of the laws which prevailed there up to the tithe of such acquisition. Such laws are not foreign, but those of an antecedent government.

The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.

Page 98 U. S. 429