Document: 410 U.S. 641 93 S.Ct. 1178 35 L.Ed.2d 560 State of OHIO, Plaintiff,v.Commonwealth KENTUCKY. No. 27, Orig. Argued Jan. 10, 1973. Decided March 5, Syllabus Ohio sought leave to file an amended bill complaint in original action involving a boundary dispute with Kentucky. By the amendment claimed that between and Kentucky was located middle River. The motion referred Special Master, who recommended be denied. Held: 1. In exercise its jurisdiction, this Court is not invariably bound by common-law precedent or current rules civil procedure. requirement for permits dispose it at preliminary stage appropriate case, such as where claim barred matter law hearing on issues presented 'would only serve delay adjudication merits needlessly add expense litigants must bear.' Pp. 644—645. 2. Ohio's long acquiescence location Ohio-Kentucky line northern edge River bars present river. 648—652. Motion Joseph M. Howard, Washington, D.C., plaintiff. John Famularo, Lexington, Ky., defendant, pro hac vice, special Court. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion 1 Almost seven years ago, 1966, instituted against Commonwealth prayer relief proposed complaint, asked declare establish: 2 '1. being low water mark northerly side year 1792 . .. 3 '2. have equal concurrent jurisdiction over all from shore southerly shore, except incidental sover-eignty soil under river structures permanently attached thereto.' alleged: 4 '4. established land ceded legislative act Virginia United States 1st day March, 1784, which known Cession Virginia. 5 '5. separation District pursuant certain Legislature entitled 'An Act concerning erection district into independent state,' passed 18th December, 1789, Virginia-Kentucky Compact. 6 '6. Compact existed 1792.'1 7 went allege: From 1910 1929, erected dams navigational purposes. Since 1955, has been replacing earlier higher ones. This caused waters rise inundate various areas both 'As result, shores banks moved farther levels increased dammning river.' north 'has obscured elevation levels.' two 'along rather than south line.' 'does now always mark.' 8 Leave granted. 384 982, 86 1883, 16 1002 (1966). answer admitted allegations above-quoted numbered paragraphs complaint. then appointed Honorable Phillip Forman Master case. 385 803, 87 29, 17 49 9 Five later, August 1971, would assert River, or, alternatively, shore. We Master. 404 933, 92 266, 30 246 (1971). He held due course filed his report. 406 915, 1762, 32 114 (1972). enter order denying petition amend. His conclusion rested ground 'that amendment, any view factual allegations, fails state cause action.' Report 16. Upon filing exceptions Kentucky's reply, we set argument. 409 974, 303, 34 238 10 * Accepted procedures ordinary case posture probably lead us conclude should granted, proceed trial judgment pleadings. This, however, It one within exclusive Const., Art. III, § 2; 28 U.S.C. 1251(a). Procedures governing our are governed See Supreme Rule 9; Rhode Island v. Massachusetts, 14 Pet. 210, L.Ed. 423 (1840). Under rules, brief opposition, permit enable matters stage. See, example, Alabama Texas, 347 272, 74 481, 98 689 (1954); California 358 64, 79 116, 106 (1958); West Virginia, 234 117, 121, 889, 891, 58 1243 (1914). Our object cases parties, promptly possible, reach argue controversy presented. To end, feasible, adjudiction litigations bear. 11 peculiarly susceptible treatment kind. yet formally controverted We, therefore, treat new material admitted. asserts, that, even assuming true, no stated, subject law. II 12 Handly's Lessee Anthony, Wheat. 374, 113 (1820), stated Indiana western northwestern Handly ejectment brought plaintiff claiming grant defendants 'from States, part Indiana.' Id., 375. disputed neck channel, bayou, had formed main When high, channel filled cut off north. low, dry did exist. resolution turned whether Indiana, like Ohio, received territory States. observed question 'depends chiefly cession made States,' id., 376, concluded acquired title when negotiations during period 1781—1784 resulted Virginia's ceding lands west Federal Government.2 Union out purported retain time 1784 cession. concluded, basis history, Kentucky, through extended up northern, far, Chief Marshall enunciated following, familiar, principle: 13 'When great nations states, if property neither, there convention respecting it, each holds stream. But when, proprietor, grants only, retains own domain, newly-created extends only. river, boundary.' Wheat., 379. rule well specific application Kentucky-Indiana border, consistently adhered subsequent decisions 136 479, 1051, 329 (1890) (despite Indiana's argument, 486—493, river); Henderson Bridge Co. City, 173 592, 19 553, 43 823 (1899);3 Nicoulin O'Brien, 248 113, 39 23, 63 155 (1918). explicitly recognized Booth Shepherd, St. 243, 247—248 (1858), far greater precision mere assumption dissent suggests, post, 654—655, that: 15 'The construction given deed supreme court having thus acquiesced acted courts, may regarded decisive question.' also McCullock Aten, 307, 310 (1826); Blanchard Porter, 138, 142 (1841).4 Garner, Gratt. 655 (Gen.Court Va.1846). counter argues party later reaffirmed Handly, established, characterizes dictum. particular, contends free challenge prior encompasses good land. 18 do foreclose res judicata sense. proceedings Court's basically equitable nature, (1840), technically precluded nonetheless foreclosed acquiescence. U.S., 510, 518, S.Ct., 1054, 1056. turn aspect III seeks re-examine accepted premise decision and, process doing so, alter legal rights practical matter, settled. presently ownership half does northwest intended establish river's center but, same inconsistently, Rather, challenges very postulate underlying decision, taken, effect, establishing entire including contact Ohio. theory surrendered claim, said, baseless. Indeed, these hotly contested, New York, Connecticut, laying Continental Congress, fearing threat posed youthful Nation, refused resolve claims, instead, prevailed upon claimants forgo favor common good. Accordingly, contends, say another way, proprietor sides river—is historically invalid. 20 need intimate historical analysis, State's southern border persistent failure convince arise middle-of-the-river issue late date. 1820 necessarily placed notice might reasoning opinion. edge. arose source what purportedly encompassed Indiana.5 could reasonably believed, after footing different Indiana. 21 followed Even 1966 supporting brief6 so state. highest effect. And 150 failed assert, available Court, raise face legislative7 judicial8 assertions sovereignty 22 past century excusable neglect. implications too clear support claim. initial here.9 Not, light longstanding unequivocal claims oppose those credibly suggest acquiesced. rule, longsettled never doubted court, possession dominion conclusive later's rightful authority.' Michigan Wisconsin, 270 295, 308, 46 290, 294, 70 595 (1926). effect Vermont Hampshire, 289 593, 613, 53 708, 715, 77 1392 (1933); Maryland 217 U.S 1, 42—44, 268, 278—279, 54 645 (1910); Louisiana Mississippi, 202 53—54, 26 408, 422—423, 50 913 (1906); Tennessee, 148 503, 523, 728, 736, 37 537 (1893); 509—510, 1053—1054, 1056; How. 591, 639, 1116 (1846).10 23 Here open but lines courts more years, consistent inadequacy asserts. find ourselves agreement lies 24 Master's recommendation adopted amend remanded further proceedings. 25 ordered. Case 27 DOUGLAS, dissenting. locate following 'the 1792,'1 asserted events altered low-water mark. Today denies request permitted plead alternative theory: true River.2 29 Basic concepts pleading preclude determination testing sufficiency claim.3 proceedings, facts valid tendered. asserts predecessor title, accordingly, invalid.4 before equivalent demurrer. majority's insufficiency is, sustainable. proffered evidence it. concludes, agrees, ownship adjudications Although I consideration premature, prompts me review estoppel urged. 31 serves parties suit, During 19th century, dealt nature cases. (1890). Later Lessee.5 Based analysis here contests, coincides River.6 course, involved litigation. Yet, bind today party. And, since doctrine reliance theory. Simply lost whatever once failing recognizing rationale applied tried 1820. disputes suggestion. First, notes argument wishes substantiate considered early instead predicated, involved.7 additionally points three recognition river8 concerned private hinged edge, That required language cases.9 most recent three, indeed, states quite explicitly: 33 'It become necessary, determine constitute For purposes assumed original, undisputed owner still she her 1784.'10 precisely assumption. prematurely judging pretermitting briefing attack validity disservice procedural contours actions. allow reached course. became State. Stat. 189. Recommendation September 6, 1780, W. Hening, Laws 562 (1822); Resolution General Assembly January 2, 1781, conditioned, among other things, ratification Articles Confederation cessions 564, 567; 13, 1783, J. Cont.Cong. 1774—1789, p. 559 (1922); Confirmation, October 20, 326 (1823); 472 (B. & D. ed. 1815). 1781 recited 'will yield congress right, said commonwealth hath Ohio.' 564 (1822). Among conditions guarantee 'all remaining included Atlantic Ocean east 566. latter condition agreed Congress 1783. 563 (1922). 1783 'to north-west 327. So, too, day. supra, 474. 'Upon nothing can added cited; indisputable River.' 561, (1899). There possible intimation contrary bridge tax Covington Cincinnati Mayer, 317, 327, (1877). appears, resolved content company's charter granting permission bridge. Sebastian Co., 451 (1871). 505, 1052, n. On 7, provide Government Territory Northwest 50. 1800, divided separate governments. 58. April 30, 1802 enabling admission passed. 173. eastern theretofore 'bounded river,' ibid.; division boundaries described 'is hereby to, territory.' 174. now, maintained state.' Brief 8. (Emphasis original.) 1810, decade enacted statute: 'Sec. Be Assembly, county commonwealth, calling line, shall bounded particular bed islands, therefore respective counties, holding opposite thereto, state, several tribunals, hold accordingly.' Acts 1809, 100 (1810); Statute 268 (1834). Ky.Rev.Stat., Tit. c. County, 371 S.W.2d 29—30 (Ky.1963); Louisville Sand Gravel Ralston, 266 119, 121—122 (Ky.1954); Shannon Streckfus Steamers, Inc., 279 Ky. 649, 653, 131 833, 835 (1939); McFarland McKnight, 45 500, 510 (1846); Church Chambers, Dana 274, 278—279 (Ct.App.Ky.1835); Fleming Kenney, 155, 158 (1830); McFall Commonwealth, Metc. 394, 396 (Ky.1859). 'Like Virginia; (1816), 399 (1816). Thus, control Kentucky.' 10. situation, otherwise States' open, continuous standing. Jersey Delaware, 291 361, 376—377, 407, 412—413, 78 847 (1934); Oklahoma 272 21, 46—47, 47 9, 17—18, 71 145 (1926); Arkansas 158, 172, 38 301, 304, 62 638 Complaint 6. Amended 1—3. F. James, Civil Procedure 4.1, 127; Conley Gibson, 355 41, 45—46, 99, 101—102, 80. rests granted King James London Company 1609. events, revocation 1624 Crown colony, Marshall, Life George Washington 69; Hening's Large 525—526; 465 1815) (hereinafter Laws), French British Eastern Mississippi Valley Treaty Paris 1763, 441—442; A. Shortt Doughty, Documents Relating Constitutional History Canada, 1759—1791, pp. sharply curtailed old Revolution. final point references laws prescribe 475, 480, rights, 479—480, speak general terms Tennessee south, east, Illinois north, west, 14, 104, 179, 311, 421, 533; 367, 385, 396, 596, 612. (1899); Wedding Meyler, 192 573, 322, 48 570 (1904); 377, 379, 113. 503—504, 329. 307 138 (1841); 243 (1858). 310, (discussing above below bank); 139—140 ('The defendant's conveys top bank, reserves 'break slope,' river'). St., 245—246 (noting 'In proceed(ed) .' (emphasis added)).

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