Document: 339 U.S. 699 70 S.Ct. 914 94 L.Ed. 1216 UNITED STATESv.STATE OF LOUISIANA. No. 12, Original. Argued on Motion for Judgment March 27, 1950. Decided June 5, Rehearing Denied Oct. 16, See 71 75. Sol. Gen. Philip B. Perlman, Washington, D.C., plaintiff. Mr. Cullen R. Liskow, Lake Charles, La., L. H. Perez, New Orleans, defendant. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The United States by its Attorney General and Solicitor brought this suit against State Louisiana, invoking our jurisdiction under Art. III, § 2, Cl. 2 Constitution which provides 'In all Cases * in a shall be Party, supreme Court have original Jurisdiction.' complaint alleges that was is 'the owner fee simple of, or possessed paramount rights in, full dominion power over, lands, minerals, other things underlying Gulf Mexico, lying seaward ordinary low-water mark coast Louisiana outside inland waters, extending twenty-seven marine miles bounded east west, respectively, eastern western boundaries Louisiana.' further claiming property adverse to States, has made leases her statutes various persons corporations entered upon said drilled wells recovery petroleum, gas hydrocarbon substances, paid substantial sums money bonuses, rent, royalties, but neither nor lessees recognized property. 3 prayer decree adjudging declaring right as property, enjoining it from continuing trespass area violation requiring account derived subsequent 23, 1947. 4 opposed motion leave file complaint, contending not consented sued Federal Government v. Texas, 143 621, 12 488, 36 285, held Constitution, granting cases 'in Party,' includes should overruled. We heard argument thereafter granted it. 337 902, 69 1040, 93 1716, rehearing denied 928, 1490, 1736. 5 then filed demurrer asserting no parties subject matter. She moved dismiss ground are indispensable case; she also more definite statement claim bill particulars. judgment. overruled, Louisiana's motions denied, judgment being given 30 days an answer. 338 806, 36. 6 In answer admits minerals Mexico adjacent extent governmental powers existing laws treaties States,' asserts there conflicting claims authorize use bed purpose searching producing oil natural resources, relief sought depends, since Congress adopted any law such federal authority over Mexico. therefore contends actual justiciable controversy between parties. denies title As affirmative defenses holder controversy; admitted into Union 1812, exercised continuous, undisturbed unchallenged sovereignty possession question. 7 trial jury. suit, involving beds tide essentially action at Seventh Amendment 62 Stat. 953, 28 U.S.C. 1872, U.S.C.A. require jury.1 8 asserted were insufficient law. set case down motion. 9 territory out created purchased France $15,000,000 Treaty April 30, 1803, 200. 1804 thus acquired divided two territories, one designated Territory 283. By Enabling Act February 20, 1811, 641, inhabitants Orleans authorized form constitution state government. 8, 701, 703, 'on equal footing with states, respects whatever.' And southern boundary, recited 'bounded gulf (of Mexico) including islands within three leagues coast.'2 1938 statute declared boundary shore line.3 10 think California, 332 19, 67 1658, 91 1889, controls must complainant. 11 lay aside Toomer Witsell, 334 385, 393, 68 1156, 1160, 92 1460, where State's regulation coastal waters below collides interests person acting behalf States. question here marginal sea regulate absence policy; deny seeks assert put side, Mayor, Aldermen Inhabitants Pet. 662, 573, holding certain lots vacant land along river city did pass treaty cession remained city. Such cases, like those ownership (see, example, Pollard's Lessee Hagan, How. 212, 565), irrelevant here. we pointed issue class litigation does turn conventional sense. thirteen colonies, never sea. three-mile belt first national Protection control indeed functions external sovereignty. pages 31—34, 1664—1666, 1889. national, concern. National interests, responsibilities, concerns involved. problems commerce, defense, relations powers, war peace focus there. area. That rationale California. It fully elaborated need repetition. 13 carefully considered extended able aspects found reason why stands better than California so far concerned. interest great off line material differences preadmission post-admission history make stronger California's. prior admission had colonies had. Moreover, been sacrificed ceded away either case. through who character invoke federal-state (United 26—29, 1662—1663, 1889) now domain. 14 There difference, however, latter claimed belt. twenty-four note only briefly difference. intimate extend, define, establish territorial limits consequences extension vis pursuant authority. matter bearing present problem. If, California's case, domain nation rather separate follows fortiori ocean beyond limit is. perhaps even directly related conduct foreign affairs, world commerce Certainly less so. So issues presented concerned, enlargement emphasizes strength part resources soil area, oil. 15 jury denied. examine noting equity injunction accounting. statute,4 assuming they extend jurisdiction, applicable actions Shields Thomas, 18 253, 262, 368; Barton Barbour, 104 126, 133—134, 26 672. 16 hold entitled prayed for. parties, them, may before September 15, 1950, submit carry effect. ordered. 17 JACKSON CLARK took consideration decision 19 FRANKFURTER. 20 Time reasoning persuasive decided longer open me. relevant, rejecting off-shore abstained recognizing This emphasized when struck proprietary terms proposed case.* 21 I deem define scope apply it, particularly historically very different situation Texas. clear REED, submerged lands Texas own. decides lost what How shift came remains me puzzle. provides: suits common law, value exceed twenty dollars, preserved, fact tried otherwise re-examined according rules law.' Supreme citizens jury.' see Dart, Constitutions (1932) p. 499. La.Gen.Stats. (1939) §§ 9311.1—9311.4, 55 1938, 1—4. read part: '1. America now, times pertinent hereto, proprietorship Pacific Ocean *.' italicized words omitted Court's decree. 804, 805, 21, 382. 1, supra.

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