The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-20
From the Placer Times aud Transcript
The Dec isiOns Of the United States Land Com.
missiOners

We have heretofore omitted to notice these decisions
because we intend 10 publish them in full But owing
to their great length and the crowded of our COL
unns we have as yet been unable 10 do We think
however, that we may promise them readers in
few days So far as We can learn, the decisions have
given general satisfaction 10 all parties. The "Pugas"
was claim for twelve leagues, and has been confirmed
for LILLE more than four leagues Judge Felch, in his
opinion, pronounced 10 be incomplete title, which
dd not rest The lee IN the grantees but in of the
long possession cultivation and inhablancy OF the land
good claim In equity. The opinion is able in all re-
specs, and especially lucid the subject Of prescription
The board decides there be no te by prescrp
ton against the government
The claim OF Enrique Huber for be eight league claim
known as "Honcur was rejected by the board. 1t was
defective, as not showing any denIle boundary Ii
grant Tor eight leagues, to be located large scope
OF country, without showing any place OF beginning for
the survey OF the grant The court held that such de-
scnpon did not separate The land from the of the
public domain. The grant had not been surveyed nor
bad II received the approval OF the departmental assem-
bly,. twas also rejected the further ground ha, The
grant required the party take personal possession
which he had not DONE but leased II on, to another party
which was not substantial compliance with the condi-
ton nor The law that the law authorized grants only
Tor settlement and cultivation and that The personal
Element OF the grantee contemplated and required by
the colonization law, and was not answered by putting
tenant in his place.
The opinion OF Judge Campbell is a very able review
and exposition of the colonization law The result OF
these opinions and decisions is, that good equitable
claims whether they have received The approval of the
supreme government or the departmental assembly or
not, will be confirmed, but that claim have good
equity which has been settled and actually cupied
NJ the grant and the law required and that bese cond.
tons will be insisted by the government The decs-
ions recognise the doctrine that the United States is
bound 10 confirm the grants to the extent tina, the
Mexican government was bound, but no further
These decisions will 90 great way towards settling
the titles oil California a sound and Just basis They
will operate TO confirm every Just title which has equity
and ought 10 be confirmed On the other hand, they
show determination the part OF the board to reec,
all claims where the conditions of settlement and cnlliya-
ton have not been substantially complied with, when
the grantee has not performed his part OF the contract in
good faith or when there Is not ssch description OF the
land as TO give it reasonable identity We think these
decisions correct in principle and that they fort.
ned throughout by the decisions Of the Supreme Court OF
the United States Under the rules established, every
honest CLAIM will be confirmed I; but when the titles
are fabricated or the conditions not complied with
the claimants may consider themselves "gone koons"
We have never maintained any other position than
that il the duty OF the government to confirm fair
claims when conditions had been complied with ia good
faith but II equally the duty OF the government to
Iect all claims OF opposite character The course OF
the present board contrasts boldly with the indiscrimnate
combinations OF their predecessors, aod WILL we feel as
sured. command the public confidence, respect and ap-
probation