Crespin v. United States

Citations

• 168 U.S. 208
• 18 S. Ct. 53
• 42 L. Ed. 438
• 1897 U.S. LEXIS 1717

Syllabus

<p>The plaintiffs claimed as heirs and legal representatives of the original grantees under a grant alleged to have been made March 24, 1840, by “ the prefect or superior political chief of the district of Bernalillo,” in the Republic of Mexico. There was no evidence that the grant of the prefect ever received the sanction or approval of the governor, the ayuntamiento, or other superior authority of the Mexican Republic. Held, that it was beyond the power of the prefect alone to make the grant in question.</p> <p>Possession of land so granted after the date of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, however exclusive and notorious, cannot be regarded as an element going to make up a perfect title.</p>