Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/158/155/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 04:34:12+00:00

Document:
No question as to jurisdiction in this case having been taken in the court below or here, this court waives the inquiry whether an objection to the jurisdiction might not, if seasonably taken, have compelled a dismissal.
In the administration of the public lands, the decisions of the land department upon questions of fact are conclusive, and only questions of law can be reviewed in the courts.
In the absence of some specific provision to the contrary in respect of any particular grant of public land, its administration falls wholly and absolutely within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, under the supervision' and direction of the Secretary of the Interior.
The decision of the Secretary of the Interior of March 11, 1872, sustaining the claim of the plaintiff in error to a small tract -- less than half an acre -- of the 640 acres claimed under the Act of August 14, 1848, c. 177, 9 Stat. 323, if not conclusive upon the plaintiff in law, was right in fact.
"Provided also that the title to the land, not exceeding six hundred and forty acres, now occupied as missionary stations among the Indian tribes in said territory, together with the improvements thereon, be confirmed and established in the several religious societies to which said missionary stations respectively belong."
9 Stat. 323. Oregon, as then organized, included all that region west of the Rocky Mountains and north of the forty-second degree of north latitude, part of which became afterwards the Territory, and later the State, of Washington.
proviso, it was entitled to a tract of 640 acres at and adjacent to the present Town of Vancouver, 430 acres of which were in the occupancy of the defendants, as officers and soldiers of the United States, who held the same as a military reservation, and the prayer was for an injunction, a decree of title, and a surrender of possession. Under the direction of the Attorney General, the United States Attorney for the Territory of Washington entered the appearance of the United States and filed an answer in behalf of all of the defendants. While the case was pending in the territorial courts, Washington was admitted as a state, and the case was thereupon transferred to the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Washington. In that court, upon pleadings and proof, a decree was entered in favor of the defendants, dismissing the bill. 44 F. 321. From such decree the plaintiff appealed to this Court.
No question was raised in the pleadings or otherwise on the record as to the jurisdiction of the court below over a controversy of this character, but the case was heard and disposed of by the circuit court on the merits of the plaintiff's claim. It had been in like manner argued in this Court, and therefore waiving the inquiry whether the objection to the jurisdiction might not, if seasonably taken, have compelled a dismissal, we shall proceed to consider the merits.
"Sir: I have received last winter and this spring a petition from certain free families, established on the River Willamette, requesting the help of missionaries to instruct their children and themselves. My intention is to use all my efforts to procure their request as soon as I can. I have no priests at my disposal at Red River, but I will make a trip to Europe this year. I intend to make it my business to procure these free people, and the Indians afterwards, the means of knowing God. I send together with this an answer to the petition I have received. I request that you please forward it to them. I join with it some catechisms which might be useful to those people, if anybody can read among them. Those persons say they are protected by you. Please induce them to do their best, and to deserve by a good behavior to profit by the favor they ask. I have the honor to be, sir,"
"Your most humble ob't serv't,"
"To All the Families Established on the Willamette River and Other Catholic Persons beyond the Rocky Mountains, greeting and benediction: "
"I have received, my dearest brethren, your two petitions, the one dated 3rd July, 1834, and the other 23rd February, 1835. Both ask for missionaries to teach you and your children. Such a request from people deprived of all religious help could not fail to touch my heart. Indeed, if I had it in my power, I would send you some even this year, but I have no priests at my disposal at Red River. I must get some from Canada or elsewhere, which requires time. I will give it my attention during a trip I am going to make in Canada and Europe this year. If my efforts are successful, I will send you help very soon. My intention is not only to procure to you and your children the knowledge of God, but also the numerous Indian tribes among which you live. I exhort you meanwhile to deserve, by a good behavior, that God may help my undertaking."
"Instructions for Messrs. Francis Norbert Blanchet and Modeste Demers, priests, appointed missionaries for that portion of the Diocese of Quebec which is situate between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains:"
"1st. They must consider as the first object of their mission to draw from barbarity and the disorders which follow from it the Indian nations spread in that country."
"2d. The second object is to lend their services to the bad Christians who have there adopted the morals of the Indians, and live in licentiousness and the forgetfulness of their duties."
"3d. Convinced that the preaching of the gospel is the safest means of obtaining these happy results, they will lose no opportunity of inculcating its principles and its maxims either in their private conversations or in their public instructions."
reduce them to regular principles, so as to be able to publish a grammar of them after some years of residence."
"5th. They will prepare for baptism with all possible haste the infidel women who live in a state of concubinage with Christians, in order to replace those irregular by lawful marriages."
"6th. They will apply themselves with a particular care to the Christian education of the children, establishing for that purpose, as much as their means will afford them, schools and catechisms in all the villages which they will have occasion to visit."
"9th. The territory which is particularly assigned to them is that which is comprised between the Rocky Mountains at the east, the Pacific Ocean at the west, the Russian possession at the north, and the territory of the United States at the south. It is only in that extent of territory that they will establish missions, and it is particularly recommended to them not to form any establishment on the lands the possession whereof is contested by the United States. They will be allowed, however, in conformity with the indult of the holy see dated February 28, 1836, a copy of which accompanies the present, to exercise, when needed, their faculties in the Russian possessions as well as in that part of the American territory which joins their mission. As to that part of the territory, it is probable that it does not belong to any of the dioceses of the United States, but if the missionaries were informed that it is a part of some dioceses, they will abstain from exercising any act of jurisdiction there, in obedience to the indult cited above, unless they be authorized to it by the bishop of such diocese."
"10th. As to the place where they will fix their principal residence, it will be on the River Cowlitz or Kowiltyhe, which empties into the River Columbia on the north side of this last river. On their arrival at Fort Vancouver, they will present themselves to the person who then represents the honorable Hudson Bay Company, and they will take his advice as to the precise situation of that establishment. "
"11th. They are particularly recommended to have all possible regard for the members and employees of that company, with whom it is very important, for the holy work with which they are charged, to be constantly in good intelligence."
"12th. As they cannot rely entirely upon the resources from the Association for Propagation of the Faith, established a year ago in this diocese, to provide for their sustenance and the construction of the chapels and houses which they will establish in various places of their mission, they will induce the white inhabitants and the nations of the country to contribute for these objects as much as their means will allow them."
"14th. The territory where this mission is __ be established having been annexed by the indult of the 28th of February, 1836, mentioned above, to the Territory of the Northwest, the spiritual government of which is entrusted to the right reverend Bishop of Juliopolis, the new missionaries will correspond as regularly as possible with that prelate, whom they will also inform of the state of their mission, and whose orders and counsels they will receive with submission and respect."
"Int. 34. From 1838 to the time you left Oregon, in 1844, where were religious services held at Vancouver?"
"Ans. In an old store inside the pickets. "
"Int. 35. Was that room or building during that time used for any other than religious and missionary services and labors?"
"Ans. It was used only for Catholic religious services and missionary labors."
"Int. 35 1/2. State who attended services then in that building."
"Ans. Servants of the Hudson Bay Company, their wives and children, Indians of the place and neighborhood -- Dr. McLaughlin often came -- and others."
"Int. 36. Before 1844, had you purchased or obtained any place or building at Vancouver, outside of the pickets or fort of the H.B. Co., for any purpose whatsoever?"
"Ans. I had not purchased, but had obtained, a piece of ground that was intended for the building of a church for this station. The company was not willing to sell. That piece of ground was shown to me, from the sawmill west, and including the present site. We were allowed to fence it, but our means did not allow us to do so. This land was east of the present Catholic church, and near an old mill or mills, and extended thence west, but I do not well recollect now how far west it came. I think the church now stands on this land. Before I left for Europe, I recommended Rev. M. Demers to build a church on that land."
"Int. 37. By whom was this land shown to you?"
"Ans. To the best of my recollection, it was by James Douglas, Esq., chief factor of the company, and governor of the F. V. in absence of Dr. McLaughlin."
"Int. 38. Did you, or not, before leaving Oregon, in 1844, purchase any building at Vancouver?"
"Ans. Yes, I did, from one of the company's servants."
"Int. 39. What building, and for what purpose?"
"Ans. For the purpose of teaching Indians and the Indian women, and children of the company's servants outside the fort."
"Int. 40. State whether or not you used that building as a place for the instruction of the Indians at Vancouver and in its vicinity."
"Int. 41. When did you buy that building? "
"Ans. I think in 1839 or 1840."
"Int. 42. Was it in use by you for the same purpose up to the time you left Oregon, in 1844?"
"Ans. That I can't say. I suppose it was."
"Int. 43. On your return to Vancouver in 1847, in what condition did you find this mission station, and who was, if anyone, in charge as the missionary priest?"
"Ans. I found the mission station in charge of Vicar General Demers."
"Int. 44. Where were the religious services then held?"
"Ans. In the present church building."
"Int. 45. Since then, do you know whether any repairs or improvements have been made upon this building, and, if yea, by whom and when?"
"Ans. I have been told that some repairs have been made. Of my own knowledge, I know repairs have been made of late years. These repairs have all been at the expense of the Bishop of Nesqually."
"Int. 46. State whether or not there was a Catholic mission station at Vancouver, amongst the Indian tribes, on the 14th day of August, 1848."
"Ans. There was. Father Delavand was the head of the station. He was appointed to this station in 1847 by me, after my arrival from Europe. This part of the country was not a part of my diocese, but it was under my jurisdiction."
"Int. 47. Was it the same missionary station you had founded in 1838?"
"Ans. It was the same."
"Int. 48. Whether or not there has been a Catholic church and service here since then until now?"
"Int. 72. From the time of your coming to the country, in '38, to the fall of 1844, where did you live when at Vancouver? "
"Ans. Inside of the pickets, in a room of the H.B. Co."
"Int. 73. State whether or not you ever paid to the Co. anything for your board?"
"Int. 74. State whether or not you ever offered to pay them for your board."
"Ans. Yes, sir; when I had bought that little house, we were afraid to be too much charge to the Co. I told the governor we would live outside, and pay the expense of our living. The answer made was that we were not a burden to the H.B. Co. I said we were afraid we were troublesome to the Co. The answer was as I have above stated. The Co., or its officers, were very kind and generous to us."
"Int. 2. In 1848, was the mission in possession of any land?"
"Ans. It was in possession of the land where the church is."
"Int. 3. From what source did it get that land?"
"Ans. From Mr. Douglas, who showed me the place. This was done at my request, that we might have a more established place."
"Int. 4. Did the mission ever acquire any right to that land, except by the consent or permission of Mr. Douglas?"
"Ans. No; it did not. There was no other way."
"Int. 5. Has the mission ever claimed to exercise ownership over any part of the land, except that on which the church is built?"
"Ans. No; we did not, except what was granted for the church, and we expected to have a deed for the land from the Hudson Bay Co. when the Co. could give one."
"Int. 6. In 1848, where did Mr. Delevand reside?"
"Ans. Inside of the pickets of the H. Bay Co."
"Int. 7. Where in 1849, and till he left?"
"Ans. In the same place."
"Int. 8. Did you, or any other priest, before 1850, live anywhere about Vancouver, except within the Co.'s pickets?"
"Int. 9. From whom did you buy the small house spoken of by you in your testimony? "
"Ans. I don't recollect the name."
"Int. 10. Where was it?"
"Ans. West of the fort."
"Int. 11. Did not the company own all the buildings occupied by its servants?"
"Ans. I think not. They belonged to the servants, and they sold them."
"Int. 12. Did you buy any land with the house?"
"Int. 13. Did you buy anything but the use of the house?"
"Ans. I bought the house."
"Int. 14. Did the company know you bought it?"
"Ans. I suppose they did."
"Int. 15. How much did you give for it?"
"Ans. Between twenty and twenty-five dollars."
"Int. 16. Who erected the church?"
"Ans. The Hudson's Bay Company, or Mr. Douglas."
"Int. 17. Did you ever pay anything for its erection?"
We have quoted thus fully from the testimony of this witness because of his early and continued relations to the church work at Vancouver, and because the other testimony offered in behalf of the plaintiff is really nothing more than in corroboration of this witness. It discloses very clearly what was the character of the mission establishment at Vancouver, what its occupation was, and what the extent of its work, and its relation to the Hudson Bay Company.
"The possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company and of all British subjects who may be already in the occupation of land or other property lawfully acquired within the said territory, shall be respected."
of those companies, and of any other British subjects in Oregon and Washington Territory, should be settled by the transfer of those rights and claims to the government of the United States for an adequate money consideration,"
provided for the appointment of a commission to examine and decide upon all such claims. 13 Stat. 651. This commission awarded $650,000 in full satisfaction of these claims, which award was accepted by the United States, and on July 11, 1870, an act was passed by Congress making an appropriation on account thereof. 16 Stat. 386.
January, 1878, the President approved a final survey and plat of the military reservation, confirmed the previous action of the War Department, and declared the reservation to be duly set apart for military purposes.
Upon these facts, it may well be doubted whether the decision of the Secretary of the Interior is not conclusive. The act of Congress purports to confirm "the title to the land, not exceeding six hundred and forty acres, now occupied as missionary stations." It is a question of fact whether there was at Vancouver a missionary station, and also a like question, if one existed, how much land it occupied. The rule is that, in the administration of the public lands, the decision of the Land Department upon questions of fact is conclusive, and only questions of law are reviewable in the courts. Johnson v. Towsley, 13 Wall. 72; Warren v. Van Brunt, 19 Wall. 646; Shepley v. Cowan, 91 U. S. 330; Moore v. Robbins, 96 U. S. 530; Marquez v. Frisbie, 101 U. S. 473; Vance v. Burbank, 101 U. S. 514; Quinby v. Conlan, 104 U. S. 420; Smelting Co. v. Kemp, 104 U. S. 636; Steel v. Smelting Co., 106 U. S. 447; Baldwin v. Stark, 107 U. S. 463; United States v. Minor, 114 U. S. 233; Lee v. Johnson, 116 U. S. 48; Wright v. Roseberry, 121 U. S. 488; Cragin v. Powell, 128 U. S. 691; Knight v. U.S. Land Association, 142 U. S. 161; United States v. California & Oregon Land Co., 148 U. S. 31; Barden v. Northern Pacific Railroad, 154 U. S. 288, 154 U. S. 327.
"The Secretary of the Interior is charged with the supervision of public business relating to the following subjects: . . . Second. The public lands, including mines."
"The Commissioner of the General Land Office shall perform, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, all executive duties appertaining to the survey and sale of the public lands of the United States, or in any wise respecting such public lands, and also such as relate to private claims of land. "
"It means that in the important matters relating to the sale and disposition of the public domain, the surveying of private land claims, and the issuing of patents thereon, and the administration of the trusts devolving upon the government, by reason of the laws of Congress or under treaty stipulations, respecting the public domain, the Secretary of the Interior is the supervising agent of the government to do justice to all claimants and preserve the rights of the people of the United States."
See also Barden v. Northern Pacific Railroad, 154 U. S. 288, and cases cited in the opinion. It may be laid down as a general rule that in the absence of some specific provision to the contrary in respect to any particular grant of public land, its administration falls wholly and absolutely within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, under the supervision and direction of the Secretary of the Interior. It is not necessary that with each grant there shall go a direction that its administration shall be under the authority of the Land Department. It falls there unless there is express direction to the contrary.
"The words are 'now occupied.' To occupy means to hold in possession; to hold or keep for use; as to occupy an apartment. Webster's Dictionary. The appellant contends that this act confers title on it for lands which it did not occupy at the date of the act, but which it had voluntarily abandoned eleven months before, and the occupancy of which it never resumed, either for missionary or any other purposes. Not even a liberal construction would support such a claim."
From this it appears that there must be occupancy, and the extent of the occupancy is one limit of the grant. This occupancy must be independent and separate, and not inferior and subordinate. It must be an occupancy in one's own right, and not under and dependent upon another.
"Of course, no legal title vested in anyone by these proceedings, for that remained in the United States, all of which was well known and undisputed. But it was equally well known that these possessory rights, and improvements placed on the soil, were, by the policy of the government, generally protected -- so far at least, as to give priority of the right to purchase whenever the land was offered for sale and where no special reason existed to the contrary. And though these rights or claims rested on no statute or any positive promise, the general recognition of them in the end by the government, and its disposition to protect the meritorious actual settlers who were the pioneers of emigration in the new territories, gave a decided and well understood value to these claims. They were the subjects of bargain and sale, and, as among the parties to such contracts, they were valid. The right of the United States to dispose of their own property is undisputed, and to make rules by which the lands of the government may be sold or given away is acknowledged; but, subject to these well known principles, parties in possession of the soil might make valid contracts, even concerning the title, predicated upon the hypothesis that they might thereafter lawfully acquire the title, except in cases where Congress had imposed restrictions on such contracts."
"finally determine the right of each claimant or occupant to purchase the same, or any portion thereof at the appraised value, which shall be fixed by the commissioners."
"The government did not treat him and the other claimants as wanton intruders on the public domain, for then it might have ejected them by force. Instead of that, it authorized proceedings for a judicial ascertainment of the merits of their respective claims. The act of 1877 embraces, therefore, under the designation of 'claimants and occupants,' those who had made improvements, or claimed possession under an assertion of title or a right of preemption by reason of their location or settlement. It was for their benefit that the act was passed, in order that they should not entirely forfeit their claims from location or settlement and their improvements, but should have, except as to the portions reserved, the right of purchase. Parties succeeding, by operation of law or by conveyance, to the possession of such claimants and occupants, would succeed also to their rights. But lessees under a claimant or occupant holding the property for him, and bound by their stipulation to surrender it on the termination of their lease, stand in no position to claim an adverse and paramount right of purchase. Their possession is, in law, his possession. The contract of lease implies not only a recognition of his title, but a promise to surrender the possession to him on the termination of the lease. They therefore whilst retaining possession, are estopped to deny his rights. Blight's Lessee v. Rochester, 7 Wheat. 535. "
"This rule extends to every person who enters under lessees with knowledge of the terms of the lease, whether by operation of law, or by purchase and assignment. The lessees, in this case, and those deriving their interest under them, could therefore claim nothing against the plaintiff by virtue either of their possession, for it was, in law, his possession, or of their improvements, for they were, in law, his improvements, and entitled him to all the benefits they conferred, whether by preemption or otherwise."
is nothing in the record o impeach his action, and if the question were an open one, and to be tried de novo, there is in the record no sufficient testimony to justify any other conclusion. The situation is not dissimilar to that which would arise if some religious organization should come into the City of Washington and acquire title to a certain lot and erect thereon a building. No one would think of saying that thereby it became the occupant of the city. Its occupation would be limited to the lot it bought and placed its building upon.

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