Method: {1) The title to lands depend entirely upon the lawT of the nation which lie, it is necessary to examine the principles which our government has adopted. [ Discover}r gave title to the govemment whose subjects, or hv whose authority, it w made, against all other European governments, which title might he consummated possession. Exclusion of all other Europeans, gave to the nation making discover},r sole right of acquiring the so from the natives, and establishing settlements upon ' Original inhabitants were admitted to he the rightful occupants of the soil, with a well as just claim to retain possession of it, and to use it according to their own discretion; but their rights to complete sovereignty, as independent nations, were necessarilv diminished, and their power to dispose of the soil at their own will, to whomsoever thev pleased, was denied hv the original fundamental principle, 'rat