Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-12
SIN DOLLARS PER ANEUgE.

THE GREAT LAND CASE. IN FLORIDA
This greatla (as we learn from the jack
sonville Republican, involving the title to the
whole peninsula of Florida, ald depending upon
principles in great part similar to those involved
in the grant to Count Punon Rostro, which covers
the residue of the State from the line Of the Ala
gon grant. on the east to the western boundary of
Florida, the west was tried at St Augustine, in
the United States District Court, commencing On
Monday, the 10th, and terminating Monday,
the 24th of May.
The form of the suit was an action of eiectment.
brought in the name of the prese Mt owner of tho
grant against Joseph A. Bradden, a purchaser from
the United States. For the plaintiff G.. +. May
er. of Baltimore, Judge Thompson, and Nc
Queen Mcintosh, Esq, of this State For the
defendant, Hon. D. l.. Yulee, George W. Call,
and Z. Z. Young Esqrs., employed by the United
States.
After the Introduction on both sides of great
deal of documentary evidence. the court proceed
ed to instruct the jury that the act of 1907 was
applicable to the case; that plaintiffs had failed
to show recognition of their grant by Congress,
and therefore could not maintain an action of
ejectment.
The court further charged the jury that If they
believed the Spanish laws such us had been
read to them, then this was grant upon condi-
lions; and, the Duke of Aagon having failed to
comply with these conditions, the grant had be-
come void.
That the sale to Hackley was in violation of
Spanish law, and the lands became forfeited to
the King.
That the annulment Of this grant by the King
ana Coftes was good annument in Spain, and
tnat the grant would not have been recognised by
Spanish tribunals; and, by the treaty, no grants
were good against the United States except in'so
tar as they would have been good against Spain.
upon these points the court directed the Jury
to find general verdict for defe ndant
The jury accordingly returned a verdict for de-
fendant; and the plaintiffs excepted to the charge
OF the court, carrying the case by writ eff error,
to the Supreme Court of the United States.
A letter from Santa Fe, New Mexico, dated
April 20 gvesa melancholy account of the CON
dltIon OF things i'll that territory showing that
civil government there is at an end, and but fr
the military force stationed there, all would be-
anarchy. Immediate action by Congress and the
Executive seems to be necessary. The letter
says, "since the establishment of territorial goy
eminent for New Mexico, every Mexican inf1u
ence has been cast against its successful operation.
Murders have been committed on American cit
izens, and the grand jury has failed to present
indictments. The last Legislature wholly failed
TO authorize tax sufficient prosecute criminals.
ana GOV. Calhoun was compelled to turn at large
some forty thieves ut-throuts, and robbers, from
the jail In this place, for the want of means to
support tnem IN prison. In a word, Congress-
must, II she would sustain her dignity and protect
american cltlzens, adopt some other system for
governing this country. The territorial scheme
has emphaticay failed, and will continue TO do so.
until the Mexicans shall have become a more
learned and civilized people, t .'4H