Opinion ID: 8938355
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The PáRticular Claims op Alabama.

Text: The preadmission history of Alabama is essentially the same as that of Mississippi, the portion of the State lying south of the 31st parallel having passed by the same mesne conveyances from France to the United States. That portion was incorporated into the Mississippi Territory by the Act of May 14, 1812, 136 and became a part of the State of Alabama formed out of that territory. Its Act of Admission 137 incorporated the Enabling Act, which described its boundary in part as follows: “thence, due south, to the Gulf of Mexico; thence, eastwardly, including all islands within six leagues of the shore, to the Perdido river . . . .” 138 The same reasons applicable to the claims of Louisiana and Mississippi compel us to hold that Alabama is not entitled to rights in submerged lands lying beyond three geographical miles from its coast. 139  ¡ — I J> Conclusions. On the basis of what has been said in this opinion, we reach the following conclusions: 1. As to the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, a decree will be entered (1) declaring that the United States is entitled, as against these States, to all the lands, minerals, and other natural resources underlying the Gulf of Mexico more than three geographical miles from the coast of each such State, that is, from the line of ordinary low-water mark and outer limit of inland waters, and extending seaward to the edge of the Continental Shelf; (2) declaring that none of these States is entitled to any interest in such lands, minerals, and resources; (3) enjoining these States from interfering with the rights of the United States therein; (4) directing each such State appropriately to account to the United States for all sums of money derived therefrom subsequent to June 5, 1950; 140 and (5) dismissing the cross bill of the State of Alabama. 141  2. As to the State of Texas, a decree will be entered (1) declaring that the State is entitled, as against the United States, to the lands, minerals, and other natural resources underlying the Gulf of Mexico to a distance of three leagues from Texas’ coast, that is, from the line of ordinary low-water mark and outer limit of inland waters; (2) declaring that the United States is entitled, as against Texas, to no interest therein; (3) declaring that the United States is entitled, as against Texas, to all such lands, minerals, and resources lying beyond that area, and extending to the edge of the Continental Shelf; (4) enjoining the State from interfering with the rights of the United States therein; and (5) directing Texas appropriately to account to the United States for all sums of money derived since June 5, 1950, from the area to which the United States is declared to be entitled. 3. Jurisdiction over this case will be retained for such further proceedings as may be necessary to effectuate the rights adjudicated herein. 4. The motions of Louisiana and Mississippi to take depositions and present evidence are denied, without prejudice to their renewal in such further proceedings as may be had in connection with matters left open by this opinion. 142 In so deciding we have not been unmindful of this Court’s liberality in original cases of “allowing full development of the facts.” See United States v. Texas, 339 U. S. 707, 715. We think, however, that the conclusions to be drawn from the historical documents relied on  by Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are so clear as to leave no issue presently involved open to dispute, and that we would not be justified in postponing the granting of the relief to which we find the United States entitled as against these three States. 143 By the same token we see no need to postpone the adjudication of the issues now presented as between the United States and Texas, and we do not understand the Government indeed to contend otherwise. The parties may submit an appropriate form of decree giving effect to the conclusions reached in this opinion. It is so ordered. The Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Clark took no part in the consideration or decision of these cases. [For opinion of Mr. Justice Frankfurter, joined by Mr. Justice Brennan, Mr. Justice Whittaker and Mr. Justice Stewart, see post, p. 129.]