Legal Document

348 U.S. 272 75 Supreme Court Reporter 313 99 L.Ed. 314 The TEE-HIT-TON INDIANS, An Identifiable Group of Alaska Indians, Petitioner,v.The UNITED STATES. Number 43. Argued Nov. 12, 1954. Decided Feb. 7, 1955. Rehearing Denied March 14, See 965, 521. Mr.James Craig Peacock, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Ralph Atlantic Barney, respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case rests upon a claim under Fifth Amendment by petitioner, an identifiable group American Indians between 60 and 70 individuals residing in Alaska, compensation taking United States certain timber from Alaskan lands allegedly belonging to group.1 area claimed is said contain over 350,000 acres land 150 square miles water. Tee-Hit-Tons, clan Tlingit Tribe, brought this suit Claims 28 Code KF62 § 1505, Annotated KF65 U5 1505. does not arise any statutory direction pay. Payment, if it can be compelled, must based constitutional right recover. that connected with phase policy Congress, continued throughout our history, extinguish Indian title through negotiation rather than force, grant payments public purse needy descendants exploited Indians. legislation support has received consistent interpretation sympathy its compassionate purpose.2 2 Upon petitioner's motion, Rule 38(b), U.S.C.A.,3 directed separate trial respect specific issues law related fact essential proper adjudication legal issues.4 Only those pertinent nature interest, any, are here review. Substantial evidence, largely documentary, relevant these was introduced both parties before Commissioner who thereupon made findings fact. adopted held petitioner Alaska; interest prior purchase 1867 "original title" or "Indian occupancy". Tee-Hit-Ton versus States, 120 F.Supp. 202, 204, 128 Ct.Cl. 82, 85, 87. It further such original survived Treaty 1867, 15 Statutes-at-Large 539, Arts. III VI, which Russia conveyed sufficient basis maintain as there had been no recognition Congress rights question. at page 92. court inured plaintiff virtue Congress. As result conclusions, answer necessary questions 2, 5 6. Tee-Hit-Tons' petition thereafter dismissed. 3 Because general agreement importance question congressionally approved occupied aboriginal use ownership,5 conflict concerning effect federal protecting occupation decision Claims, Ct.Cl., 90, Appeals Ninth Circuit Miller 159 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 997, 1003, we granted certiorari, 347 1009, 74 864, 98 1133. 4 claims compensable located near within exterior lines Tongass National Forest. By Joint Resolution August 8, 1947, 61 920, Secretary Agriculture authorized contract sale national forest Forest 'notwithstanding possessory rights.'6 defines 'possessory rights'7 provides all receipts maintained special account Treasury until finally determined.8 Section 3(b) provides: 'Nothing resolution shall construed recognizing denying validity boundaries Forest.' 6 Agriculture, on 20, 1951, pursuant authority contracted private company merchantable alleges constitutes portion proprietary land. 7 problem presented land, any. Petitioner 'full ownership' land; or, alternative, least 'recognized' unrestricted possession, use. Either ownership recognized asserts, compensable. If fee simple entire tract, partial 'possess, dispose it.' General Motors, 323 373, 378, 65 357, 359, 89 311. contention tribal predecessors have continually claimed, used time immemorial; when took Tlingits well-developed social order included concept property ownership; while possessed manner interfered their subsequent acts confirmed occupy permanently therefore off pro tanto asserted area. 8 Government denies interest. asserts merely Government's will; never without due States. 9 I. Recognition.—The may disposed shortly. Where treaty other declared were hold permanently, paid taking.9 contends sufficiently so make points specifically two statutes sustain contention. first Organic Act May 17, 1884, 23 24.10 second 27 June 6, 1900, provide civil government 31 321, 330.11 case, supra, felt Acts constituted ownership. 1002—1003. 10 We carefully examined legislative history find nothing indicate intention permanent them permission Rather, clearly appears what intended retain status quo congressional judicial action taken.12 There particular form occupancy. established variety ways but definite accord rights, permissive occupation. Hynes Grimes Packing Co., 337 86, 101, 69 968, 978, 93 1231. 11 toward reflected expression 1947 contracts made.13 12 II. Title.—(a) various dependent far novel concerns inhabitants. well settled Union tribes inhabited after coming white man, sometimes termed whites occupy. That description means mere possession After conquest they permitted portions territory previously exercised 'sovereignty,' term. amounts occupancy sovereign grants protects against intrusion third terminated fully itself legally enforceable obligation compensate 13 position long rationalized theory discovery gave conquerors sovereignty thus obtained. Wheaton's International Law, chapter V. great Johnson McIntosh, Wheat. 543, 681, denied power tribe pass another. practice hundred years 'that exclusive occupancy, either conquest.' 587. 14 'We will enter into controversy, whether agriculturists, merchants, manufacturers, right, abstract principles, expel hunters possess, limits. Conquest gives Courts conqueror cannot deny, whatever speculative opinions be, respecting justice successfully asserted.' 588. 'Frequent bloody wars, always aggressors, unavoidably ensued. European policy, numbers, skill, prevailed. population advanced, necessarily receded. country immediate neighbourhood agriculturists became unfit them. game fled thicker more unbroken forests, followed. soil, crown originally title, being longer ancient inhabitants, parcelled out according power, taken persons immediately crown, mediately, grantees deputies.' pages 590—591. Buttz Northern Pacific R. 119 55, 66, 100, 104, 30 330; Martin Waddell, 16 Pet. 367, 409, 997; Clark Smith, 195, 201, 123. In Beecher Wetherby, 95 517, 24 440, tract then expressly Wisconsin. controversy timber, Wisconsin good. 17 'The grantee, true, would take only naked fee, could disturb Indians: determined presumed matter governed considerations control Christian people treatment ignorant race. Be may, propriety towards governmental open discussion parties, neither whom derives foundation government.' 525. 18 1941 unanimous wrote, following: 19 'Extinguishment course different matter. regard supreme. manner, method extinguishment raise political, justiciable issues.' Santa Fe 339, 347, 62 248, 252, 86 260. 20 No ever required compensation. compassion deprived homes hunting grounds drive civilization. They seek share benefits society citizens Nation. Generous provision willingly allow recover wrongs, grace, because liability. 1050. 21 (b) one decided contains language indicating unrecognized might Constitution Alcea Band Tillamooks, 329 40, 67 167, 91 29. 22 Recovery allowed jurisdictional 1935, 49 801, few 'legal equitable arising growing title' some unratified treaties negotiated tribes. already compensated.14 Five later unanimously none former Vol. Reports expressed view recovery grounded Amendment. 341 48, 71 552, 738. Interest, payable Amendment, denied. Before Tillamook title. Cir., 997. holds reasoning drawn Court's case.15 decision, occasion consider holding 106, note 28, 979, 981, commented case: 'That payment.' 'we express (compensability case) conclusion.'16 Later 319, argument did decide Amendment.17 Thereupon 553, 'grounded Amendment.' Therefore due. supported present case. think concluded pay act equalize Tillamooks neighboring tribes, Amendment.18 leaves unimpaired rule derived wheat. 25 standing sue consented sued creates extinction protected principle law. 26 (c) What heretofore set deals Plains east Mississippi. Tee-Hit-Tons urge, however, stage civilization takes applicable assert sense nations seized rest America. saw distinction Eastern evidence Russian handling differed ours. natives left part vast fishing wanted licensees, took. court's conclusion issue strong evidence. considering character testimony single witness offered plaintiff. He stated he chief tribe. qualified expert Tlingits, composed numerous interconnected including Tee-Hit-Tons. His showed become greatly reduced numbers. Membership descends female line. At women childbearing age total membership 65. pointed controverted location winter villages sheltered spots summer along streams and/or bays. individual tribal. stated, 'Any member wishes, uses his own enjoyment, trespassed anybody else, minute stops using come area.' 29 When Russians came territory, most important chiefs moved now town Wrangell. Each Wrangell harbor build house shore. learned alleged uncle return Carlisle School about 1904. From knowledge obtained, outlined red map, filed exhibit, Use members sketchily asserted. same petition. On marked six places show Indians' land: (1) buried here, (2) town, (3) uncle's house, (4) (5) mother's (6) smokehouse. also salmon beaver, deer mink. shows common descended line, another lands. boats, put shelters away villages. With living quarters. 32 addition verbal testimony, exhibits sides These secondary authorities bear proposition among likewise smaller group, wholly articles studied written groups agree above testimony. scattered place fish scarce. hunt areas, carved totem poles. presented, concluded, agree, civilization, fitted environment, identified activities gathering wild products earth.19 confirms Claims' like nomadic theStates Indians.20 33 line cases adjudicating soil leads extinguished compensation.21 Every schoolboy knows savage continent ancestral ranges force that, even ceded millions blankets, food trinkets, conquerors' duty Nation adequately phrased Jackson concurrence, Black joining, Northwestern Bands Shoshone 324 335 355, 690, 700, 985, differentiated 'unrecognized' Id., 339—340, 692, 693. words found 354—358 U.S., 699—701, ends thus: 34 Reed today Shoshones reason treaty. Douglas Murphy moral deserts. do mean leave impression relation each other. finding obligations restrict appropriations judgment dictates 'for health, education, industrial advancement create tried value them.' 358, 701. 35 light relations Nation, meet growth except contributions subject date payment. Our uphold harshness tenderness where belongs, gratuities termination Government-owned making rigid principle. 36 affirmed. 37 Affirmed. 38 DOUGLAS, CHIEF JUSTICE FRANKFURTER, concur, dissenting. 39 24. contained reads follows: 40 'the district disturbed actually terms acquire reserved future Congress: And provided further, mines mineral privileges therein laws domain, improved claims, therein, perfect payment aforesaid'. 41 report condition Territory, lands, should use, education (,) settlers recognized,' etc. 42 Respondent contends, apparently agrees, read, reserving 43 since contemplates possible acquisition 'title,' negates idea 'title.' argument; 44 are, seems me, answers proposition. 45 First. turns Act. Alaska. 8. opening up settlement, clearing titles, issuing patents, explained Gruening, State (1954), Page 47 et seq. were, classes claimants lands—one, Indians; other, mining claims. recognize 'title' either. miners, 'perfect title'; others, legislation. Obviously word conveyancer's sense; service door perfection deferring 46 Second. commands 'shall them'. 'or them' added amendment during debates Senator Plumb Kansas. Cong.Rec. 627—628. Benjamin Harrison, accepting amendment, said, '* * committee protect fullest extent residents there, development resources. *' spoke somewhat humorously 48 'I know tenure nor ordinarily characterizes observed proviso & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions propose amend puts very small feet construction 'actually occupation.' Under applied tolerably limited possibly sea.' 530. went say, many passage bill before.' 531. Harrison replied 'to save invasion Alaska.' emphasis point addition: 50 'It object absolutely occupying Territory section made, Interior ascertain definitely define reservations apart intend acquired person establish Territory. Believing smallest isolated detached quantities ground, thought reservation else guard serious rights.' 51 clear 1884 known. located, metes bounds unknown. probably restricted. But agreed keep them, wherever lay. remembered legislating little available showing tribe's domain. Therefore, humane thing saving claimed; let new clear—conflicting reconciled reservations. 52 purpose war attributed day land.* 53 remains kind embraces. Some concern alone. Tulee 315 862, 1115. Others include grazing uses. Whether embraced litigated finders remanded findings. determine empowered entertain complaint afforded 1884. A Kansas City Life insurance 339 799, 809, 885, 890, 94 1277; Gerlach Live Stock 725, 739, 955, 962, 1231; Motors 311; 304 111, 118, 58 794, 798, 82 1213. Commission Act, 1049, seq.; Worcester Georgia, 515, 582, 483; Fisheries 248 78, 87, 89, 41, 63 138; 354, 255, 'Separate Trials. furtherance convenience avoid prejudice claim, counterclaim, number counterclaims, issues; appropriate orders judgments issues, counterclaims separately.' "1. Is 'identifiable territorial limits Alaska' meaning 1505?' "2. plaintiff, defendant's area, times members, spouses, in-laws, permittees accustomed fishing, hunting, berrying, maintaining seasonal structures, burying dead?' "3. 24, it? "4. 330, it?' "5. event affirmative 3, 4, followed times, plaintiff's Paul recent less intensive areas (Tr. 13—14, 29—30, 44—45, 96—97) constitute prima facie loss rights?' "6. established, meanwhile lost, execution Timber Sale Agreement 1951 (as admitted paragraph Answer), give rise accounting jurisdiction Court, both?" 82. Hearings House Committee H.J.Res. 205, 80th Cong., 1st Sess.; Print Insular Affairs, 83d 2d Sess. 921, 2(a). 1: rights' exist, (23 24), 1891 (26 1095), 1900 (31 321), native villages, individuals, persons, patent reservation.' 3(a). Creek 295 103, 109—110, 55 683—684, 79 1331; Tribe 299 476, 497, 57 244, 251, 81 360; Chippewa 301 375—376, 826, 833, 1156; Klamath 119, 1219; Sioux 316 317, 326, 1095, 1099, 1501. *.' conducting schools missions occupation, 24; see 530—531; H.R.Rep.No.476, 48th 2; 321; 5966. 3(b), supra; H.R.Rep.No.873, 44, 167 169. relies also, 1001, Minnesota Hitchcock, 185 650, 954, Moadoc Tribes 1219. cases, reservation. 390, 121, 707, Algoma Lumber 305 415, 420, 59 267, 270, 83 260, 52, 29, 173. Acres Land, 841. statement needed Company authorize Department valuable 10, eligible voters. Actual creation 91, 968. One created require re-opening public. 103—106, 980, 981. Three million dollars involved $14,000,000. effect, estimated pending aggregating $9,000,000,000. Carino Philippine Islands, 212 449, 334, 594, valid custom played part. Igorot register although document Spanish extended Spain disputed recognizable distinguishes applicability claim. relied chiefly Philippines disclosed July 1, 1902, administer benefit inhabitants thereof'. 695. distinguished settlement race dominant America land.' 458, 336. exercise islands tended defeat prescriptive right. Since communal uncultivated natural apply prescription dominium. Carino's 370-acre farm grandfather fenced fifty three generations pasture livestock cultivation vegetables grain. bears closer analogy ordinary situation amounting Krause, Die Tlinkit-Indianer (The Tlinkit Indians), Pages 93—115 120—122; Oberg, Social Economy (a dissertation submitted University Chicago, Dept. Anthropology Degree Doctor Philosophy, 1937); Goldschmidt-Haas Report Affairs Possessory Rights Natives Southeastern i, ii, iv, 1—25, 31—33, 123—133, statements numbered 65, 67, 68 69, chart 11; S.Doc.No.152, 81st (Russian Administration Status Natives); Coast S.S. 224. significant Pueblo Mexican Land Sessions, despite centuries-Old sedentary agricultural pastoral life, confirm Pueblos Guadalupe Hidalgo, 922, Gadsden Purchase December 30, 1853, 1031. Hidalgo guarantee Mexicans acquired. Article VIII, 929. incorporated reference Treaty. V, 1035. latter 'made (would) respected considered obligatory duly recorded archives Mexico.' bar Rosa immemorial Mexico produce paper Fall, 56 App.D.C. 259, 262, 332, 335, reversed grounds, 273 315, 361, 658. Disputes titles wards settlement. Brayer, Grants 'Rio Abajo', New Mexico; Cohen, Handbook 20. problems way solution Pueblos' decisions racial tutelage. 308, Creation Office Surveyor-General bona fide holdings; Interior, covering Mexico, S.Exec.Doc.No.5, 34th 3d 174, 411; Confirmation 374; S.Doc.No.1117, 37th 581—582, titles. Representative Sandidge, reported Representatives, 'although valid, Government, courts, acted specifically. furthermore, whole system abeyance Congress.' Cong.Globe, 35th 2090 (1858). Joseph, 614, 295, Sandoval, 231 107. For interesting sidelight difficulties inherent problems, Ritchie, How. 525, 236. Thus seen deemed validate whose certainly founded stronger historical Tlingits. Departments conclusion. Supplemental dated January 11, 1954, H.R. 1921, Interior: accepted indicated 738, reargued. per curiam fifth entitling dispossessed just 'Since solely unusual nature, whim owner good extinguishing regarded clouds word. suggest deletion, 3(c) bill, 'upon or." KF135 P2 3. Agriculture: concur belief understand presently exist believe equally true elsewhere 7. Justice: 'Thus, 'aboriginal title." 11. reading dispels slight hope Ernest foremost authority, provisions dealing (1954) 355—356, Gruening states: 'For seventeen overwhelming majority approximately thirty thousand souls, devoid attention, mention, whole. became, organic least, mildly privileged, disadvantaged, compared subsequently arriving Americans. natives' was, words, affirmed, arrivals await slow evolution assurance possess "The (the persons),' act, 'may 'Seventy passed 1954 yet enacted

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