United States v. Mills' Heirs

APPEAL from the superior court of East Florida.

In the superior court of East Florida, the widow and children, heirs of William Mills, deceased, presented a petition, claiming title to a tract of land, situated on the east side of the river St. Johns, at a place called Buffalo Bluff, about two miles below the former plantation of Panton Leslie and Company. This land was claimed under a grant of Governor Coppinger, dated St. Augustine, 10th April, 1817.

The petition of William Mills to Governor Coppinger; dated 17th March, 1817, stated that he was an inhabitant of Fernandina, and that in 1805 he had obtained permission from the government to erect a water saw mill, in the place called Mulberry Branch, near the head of Matanzas river, the certificate of which was mislaid; and after erecting the buildings, they were burned down by the rebels in a sedition which took place in the year 1812: and wishing to build another saw mill east of the river St. Johns, at Buffalo Bluff, he asks that a tract of two miles square be granted to him, with title and property thereto, in order that he may carry his purpose into effect.

Governor Coppinger, on the 10th of August, 1817, granted the permission asked for by the petition, to erect a water saw mill on the river St. Johns, on the east side thereof, at a place called Buffalo Bluff; under the express conditions, that until he carries said work into effect, this grant of land will be null. 'It being well understood, that unless the said machinery be built and erected, within the term of six months, this favour will be null, and of no value; as it can never be understood to have been granted with any other view but that of protecting the inhabitant settlers, and stimulating them to industry, for the known advantages which result from it to the province, and consequently to the interests of the king.'The claimants afterwards filed a supplementary or amended petition, in which they state, that the grantee had been deterred from making the improvements mentioned in his petition to Governor Coppinger, by Indian hostilities, and by threats to persons and their property, by hostile Indians, negroes and marauders; and they further state, that by the cession of Florida to the United States, by the treaty of 22d of February, 1819, they were further prevented making the improvements, as it was uncertain how their rights to the land would be affected by the change of government.

The answers of the attorney of the United States to the petition and the amended petition, asserted the non-compliance of the petitioner with the condition of the grant; and as to the amended petition, alleged, as to the dangers of proceeding to erect the mill, that if any such difficulties existed at all, they existed to as great an extent at the time when it is alleged that said grant was made, and when the ancestor of the claimant took upon himself the performance of the condition therein mentioned; as at any time since.

Evidence was taken by both parties, and the claim of the petitioners was confirmed by the superior court of Florida, at July term, 1837. The United States prosecuted this appeal.

The case was argued by Mr. Butler, attorney general for the United States. No counsel appeared for the appellees.

Mr. Justice WAYNE delivered the opinion of the Court: