United States v. Sutter

THIS was an appeal from the District Court of the United States for the northern district of California.

It was a claim made by Sutter for land in California, under two different grants.

1. A claim for eleven leagues of land, alleged to be granted to him by Alvarado, on the 18th of June, 1841.

2. A claim for an additional quantity of twenty-two leagues, alleged to be granted to him and his son, John A. Sutter, by Micheltorena, on the 5th of February, 1845.

The board of commissioners confirmed both claims, and this decree was affirmed by the District Court. The circumstances of the case are so fully related in the opinion of this court, that it is unnecessary to repeat them.

It was argued by Mr. Black (Attorney General) and Mr. Hull for the United States, and by Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Butler, and Mr. Walker, for the defendant in error. The points made in the argument are mentioned in the opinion of the court, together with remarks upon them, which render it unnecessary to state the points more particularly.

Mr. Justice CAMPBELL delivered the opinion of the court.