United States. Court of Private Land Claims

The Court of Private Land Claims was established in 1891 to adjudicate title and ownership of Spanish and Mexican land grants in territories ceded by Mexico to the United States.

From the description of Records relating to cases decided by the Court of Private Land Claims, Arizona District, 1800-1904 (bulk 1891-1904). (University of Arizona). WorldCat record id: 32197533

The Court of Private Land Claims was established by the United States in 1891. Its purpose was to adjudicate title and ownership of Spanish and Mexican land grants in territories ceded by Mexico to the United States by the treaties of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848, and the Gadsen Purchase, 1853. Under treaty provisions, Congress assumed an obligation to recognize earlier valid land grants. The court consisted of five justices who were appointed by the President.

A court term was established at Tucson, Arizona beginning on February 21, 1893 to consider all Arizona claims. Most of the difficulties with Arizona claims resulted from the Mexican independence in 1821 and resulting changes in Mexican government and constitution. The Court's actions are summarized in The Court of Private Land Claims: The Adjudication of Spanish and Mexican Land Grant Titles, 1891-1904, by Richard Wells Bradfute, University of New Mexico Press, 1975.

From the guide to the Records relating to Cases Decided by the United States Court of Private Land Claims, Arizona District, 1800-1904 (bulk 1891-1904), (University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections)