Legal Document

410 U.S. 702 93 Supreme Court Reporter 1215 35 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 646 State of TEXAS, Plaintiff,v.State LOUISIANA. Number 36, Orig. Argued Dec. 11, 1972. Decided March 20, 1973. Rehearing Denied May 14, See 411 988, 2266. Syllabus The Special Master's Report, to the extent that it recommends relevant boundary between Texas and Louisiana be geographic middle Sabine Pass, Lake, River (collectively Sabine) not west bank or main channel all islands in east half when was admitted as a 1812, thereafter formed, should awarded Louisiana, is adopted; decision on Report with respect existing 1812 deferred pending further proceedings, which invited participate, Master conduct. Pp. 704—714. Samuel D. McDaniel, Austin, Tex., for plaintiff. Oliver Pacific KF135 P2 Stockwell, Lake Charles, La., defendant. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 brought this original action against establish its rights jurisdiction ownership western from mouth Gulf Mexico thirty-second degree north latitude, obtain decree confirming two Sabine. After motion file granted, 397 931, 90 939, 25 113 (1970), filed motions, answer, counterclaim asserting Sabine; case referred Master, 398 934, 1833, 26 266 (1970). 2 parties' exceptions are now before us. recommendations middle, channel, States; subject prescriptive claims, if any, by such islands; formed after belong those Texas. contemplates proceedings determine what were claims may have islands. Louisiana's maintain but Sabine, alternatively, stream existed most westerly also whether formed. exception asserts right river proposes question outcome proposed additional 1812. 3 Oral argument heard exceptions. We approve adopt report except his conclusions 4 * In an Enabling Act approved February 1811, Statutes-at-Large 641, Congress authorized inhabitants portion Territory ceded under Treaty France April 30, 1803, 8 200, seek statehood. become described 'beginning at thence line drawn along said river, including latitude . ..' 641. Constitution State's substantially same manner,1 Admission 8, 701, employed language identical Act. 5 Preceding period, some time thereafter, doubt. Negotiations Spain 1803 until 1819 culminated Amity, Settlement, Limits, 1819, 252. Under treaty, 'between countries' part established 254; relinquished exchange Florida Spanish claim Oregon Territory; provided belonged States. 6 renewed efforts acquire Texas, declared independence 1821, began negotiating anew purchase 1828, 372, recognized countries,' id., 374, treaty Spain.2 1836, Laws, Republic 3—7, Gammel's Laws 1822—1897, independent nation 1837, Cong.Globe, 24th Cong., Sess., 83, 270, 1838 agreed upon adopted 511.3 remained unchanged 1845, 9 108. 7 1848 legislatures passed competing resolutions, each requesting consent over bank.4 giving extend eastern 245, stating: '(T)his consents legislature her so include within limits one River, far latitude.' (Emphasis added.) II agree geographical channel. had authority admit Union boundaries State. U.S.Const., Article IV, § 3; versus 363 1, 60—62, 67, 80 961, 979, 994, 995, 999, 1205 (1960); Washington Oregon, 211 127, 134—135, 29 47, 48, 49, 53 L.Ed. 118 (1908). Hence, our task ascertain congressional will into thence, 702. statute prior year differed hardly Preamble January 22, Legislature resolved 'extended' reciting neither nor any other n. 4, supra. made similar request, see supra, acceding latter consenting could 'extend (to) 245. On floor Senate, Butler, speaking Judiciary Committee, stated extended shore only result being 'the lake, shore, States, included Cong.Clobe, 30th 1st 882. Hence bill, gave beyond Ibid. bill passed, both Senators expressing 'their acquiescence arrangement.' Ibid.5 10 There whisper these statutes instruments Clearly, 'middle' bank. argues, without substance we think, Treaties 1828 respectively, confirmed own As correctly noted, however, acting sovereign capacity throughout events, there no indication way representing intending relocate border. Nor reason do so. contrary, admission day contemplated, more consistent policy grant reserve future Holt Bank, 270 55, 46 197, 199, 70 465 (1926); Shively Bowlby, 152 26—28, 57—58, 14 548, 557, 558, 569, 38 331 (1894). 11 correct ruling intended thalweg, rests cases beginning Iowa Illinois, 147 13 239, 37 55 (1893), hold normal circumstances assumed intends word mean 'middle channel' order would equal access navigable channel.6 doctrine borrowed international law has often been adhered Court, although plain bordering purposes navigation common state thalweg. Id., 7—8, 10, S.Ct., 241, 242. New Jersey Delaware, 291 361, 380—385, 54 407, 413—415, 78 847 (1934). 12 issue intent Congress, U.S., 242 merely announcing rule construction instruments. Thus, acknowledged might 'changed usage great length acquired force law.' When sufficiently indicates different thalweg apply.7 (1908), usual recognized, 'there fixed making states river.' 134, 49. admitting construed placing northern Columbia remain even though ceased Columbia. It therefore imperative look intent; clear rather than duty border former line. His conclusion surely controlling instruments—'along apparent parties Admission, evidenced their understanding 1811 Act, expressly recited half. Whatever significance later meaning earlier statute, see, e.g., Glidden company Zdanok, 370 530, 541, 82 1459, 1468, 671 (1962); Great Northern R. 315 262, 273, 277, 62 529, 533, 535, 86 836 (1942); Brewster Gage, 280 327, 337, 50 115, 117, 74 457 (1930); Tiger Western Investment Co., 221 286, 309, 31 578, 583, 738 (1911), here concerns light 3, cl. 2, empowering 'to dispose make needful Rules Regulations respecting Property belonging States,' think events connected passage special act Union. Cf. 135, At least, indications enough us shall apply case. 15 concluded he error rejecting location must still prevail prescription acquiescence. Because satisfied conclusion, already reached, location, need pass aspect note facts relied him support ground boundary. III 16 With conceded owns half, virtue then rejected All concluded, 17 withhold judgment River. Further contemplated event, view requested present south 32 degrees and, desires, evidence modified complete Our reasons directing briefly stated. 18 unquestioned entering title lands streams waters borders. Scott Lattig, 227 229, 242—243, 33 242, 243, 244, 57 490 (1913); County St. Clair Lovingston, 23 Wall. 46, 68, 59 (1874); Pollard's Lessee Hagan, How. 212, 228—230, 565 (1845). But does reach fast located waters. Title remains unless granted bed otherwise. This express holding 19 case, dispute arose island Snake Idaho. appeared Idaho came Union, thereby side patented riparian opposite island, patentees claimed laws settlor seeking homestead property homesteader prevailed because States: 20 'But seen existence became State, land water, did come disposing influence laws. surrounded widely separated dry land, disposal laws, controversy Mission Rock Cir., 109 Federal KF105 F3 763, 769—770, 21 189 391, 606, 47 865.' 244. 22 us, probably once entitled date extension. conveyed time, previously them Louisiana. mention appear, Lattig followed, interest party to, least opportunity participate in, proceedings. acquiescence, but, plainly, manner. California, 332 19, 39—40, 67 1658, 1668, 1669, 91 1889 (1947). accordingly await respects, overruled confirmed. So ordered. 24 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 701. (its) islands, .' That description1 Nation settled foreign government. Rhode Island Massachusetts, Pet. 657, 725, 1233. 27 start 'at sea, continuing north, 32d 252, 254, 256. 108, used describe 374. Mexico, part. 372. 1845. read context means border, coinciding 28 segment buffer Spain. dubious bargaining narrow strip detached, isolated piece public lands. Rather, i seems well-nigh conclusive much alternatively which, according doctrine, describing waters, necessarily 'middle.' Union2 since time.3 30 Why lose? restricted? relies July 5, 1848, permission 'so (and) River.' makes originally 'is power national government change (Louisiana's) .. 131, 47. Given legislative restraint, take or, 'one-half' general, mathematical, sense, granting areas lying 34 Pass continuous body water. Heretofore controversies boundary, intended. 55; Arkansas Tennessee, 246 158, 173, 301, 304, 638; Minnesota Wisconsin, 252 40 313, 64 558; Wisconsin Michigan, 295 455, 786, 79 1541. Mississippi, five years argued effect given territory title. held '(i)f true repugnancy acts existed, say away give Mississippi.' 202 40, 408, 418, 934. reasoning equally applicable 36 & N Immigration Nationality Decisions conclude alternative generally accepted—has constitutionally displaced statutory replaced Although maps acquiesced midstream west-bank thus center cannot agree. vast majority denominate banks waterways issue. quality representation is, quite inadequate centerline designation attempted. Moreover, depicted, possible variance thread incapable determination.4 Indeed, Appendix depicts uncertainty; terms 'middle,' 'mid-Sabine,' 'centerline' appear interchangeably, occasional use precise terminology 'geographic middle.'5 Acquiescence another predicated showing. returned hearings thoroughly explore factual issues concerning alleged prescription. preamble 'including islands.' Neither mentions Texas' 'on gulf Resolution, 16, presented pertinent part: 'Whereas constitution territory, thereof; importance citizens living contiguous thereto, people crimes offences committed thereupon redressed speedy convenient manner: 'Therefore Senate House Representatives General Assembly convened, 1st. embraced following (whenever can procured thereto,) viz: 'Between thereof, begin month where empties continue place intersects of—. '2d. Be resolved, etc., instructed, requested, procure extension constitution, S.Misc.Doc.No.135, Sess. Resolution 18, 'Resolution favor act, extending pass, 17, 1848. 'Joint instructing river. 'Sec. 1. up S.Misc.Doc.No.123, full 882, follows: 'Mr. Committee Judiciary, reported Government one-half latitude. baron asked immediate consideration explained character. known, lake shore. Louisiana; therefore, identical. gives purpose enabling criminal objection hoped passed. Johnson, Downs behalf expressed arrangement. 'The third passed.' establishing newly authoritative 1892 decided certainly treatises noted sharp conflict Illinois courts. Dunlieth Dubuque Bridge Dubuque, Northwestern N69 443 (1881), phrase channel,' lend itself construction, court instead ruled meant bed, while Buttenuth Louis 123 Ill. Northeastern N59 439 (1888), Mississippi River' doctrine. reviewing cases, chose construction. A overrides usually 'equal-footing' rule. 76—77, 1003, (1960). form gain authorities discussed 7—10, (1893). G. Thompson Real 3075 (1962 ed.); American Law 12.27 (A. Casner ed. 1952). Exs. A, Ex. K. App.

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