City of Tuscumbia v. Lindsay
City of Tuscumbia v. Lindsay
Opinion of the Court
The appellant filed a bill to enforce the vendor’s lien upon a lot in the city of Tuscumbia, sold to the appellee.
The answer admits the sale, and the non-payment of the purchase-money, but denies the right of appellant to make the sale, on account of want of title. The appellant claimed, under its charter, the usual authority over its streets and commons given to towns and cities for the general benefit of their citizens. It also sought to derive title to the lot in question, or power to dispose of it, under an act of congress, passed April 20, 1818. — -Statutes U. S., vol. 3, p. 466. This act authorized the reservation of not
No other right, title, or ownership in the lot sold to the defendant, is alleged by the complainant, than is conferred by these two acts of congress, and its charter granted by the State. It is plain that the United States did not, by the acts referred to above, donate any title or interest in the sections of land reserved for the establishment of towns, to the State, or the towns built upon them. They were to be sold as other public lands, and the title to them was to remain in the United States until sold.
The decree is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- CITY OF TUSCUMBIA v. LINDSAY
- Status
- Published