More v. Steinbach, 127 U.S. 70 (1888)
U.S. Supreme Court
More v. Steinbach, 127 U.S. 70 (1888)
More v. Steinbach
No. 176
Submitted February 9, 1888
Decided April 16, 1888
127 U.S. 70
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED
STATES FOR THE DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Syllabus
The Act of Congress of March 3, 1801, "to ascertain and settle the private land claims in the State of California," 9 Stat. 631, c. 41, created a board of commissioners to which all persons claiming land by virtue of any right or title derived from the Spanish or Mexican government were required to present their claims for examination and determination within two years from its date, with such documentary evidence and testimony of witnesses as they relied upon to support their claims, and provided in substance that if upon examination they were found by the board and by the courts of the United States to which an appeal could be taken to be valid, the claims should be confirmed and surveyed, and patents issued therefor to the claimants, but that all lands the claims to which were not presented to the board within that period should be considered as a part of the public domain of the United States.
Held: