Note 79 — Chapter VI

The loose system pursued by the Spanish in making land grants caused much trouble after jurisdiction passed to the United States. In 1804 President Jefferson appointed commissioners to examine land titles in the newly-acquired territory, and considerable legislation resulted. Most of these large grants were finally invalidated (1847–48), on the ground of indefiniteness; among them, the Winter grant referred to in the text. This grant was made (1797) to Elisha, William, and Gabriel Winter, William Russell, and Joseph Stillwell. Other large grants in the same region were made to Captain Don Joseph Vallière, on White River (1793); Don Carlos de Villemont, commandant of the post (1795); and Baron de Bastrop (1799).—Ed.