"It is not known whether the Jesuits who founded the mission, or their successors the Franciscans, ever did, or do now, hold any title from the Spanish crown to the lands which they occupied. Nor has any investigation been made to ascertain how far those titles, if they ever existed, have been invalidated by the acts of the priests, or the decrees of the Mexican government. "A superficial view of the matter would be very apt to lead to the supposition that the Jesuits, so celebrated for wisdom and cunning, would not fail to secure that which, at that time, would probably have been obtained by merely asking for it--a royal decree, granting to them all the lands they might require in that remote country for ecclesiastical purposes. There have been some intimations to that effect, but nothing is distinctly known. These missions embrace within their limits some of the most valuable lands in the Territory, and it is very important that it should be ascertained whether they belong to the Government, or may be justly claimed by individuals. "Most of the land fit for cultivation, south of latitude 39°, and west of the valley of the Sacramento and San Joaquin, is claimed under what purport to be grants from the Mexican government. "On most of these grants, the minerals and metals are reserved to the government: conditions were coupled with many of them which have not been complied with. In others, the boundaries described embrace two or three times as much land as the grant conveys. "The Mexican law required all grants made by the provincial government, with few exceptions, to be confirmed by the supreme government. The great distance which separated them, and the unfrequent or difficult means of communication, made a compliance with the law so expensive and tardy that it came to be almost disregarded. "There were other causes which led to this neglect. "Previous to the treaty with Mexico and the immigration of American citizens to that country, land was not regarded as of much value, except for grazing purposes. There was room enough for all. Therefore, the claimants or proprietors did not molest one another, or inquire into the validity of titles. "These extensive grants are described by natural boundaries, such as mountains, bays, and promontories, which, in many instances, might allow of a variation of several miles in the establishment of a corner with chain and compass. "By the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States purchased all the rights and interests of Mexico to and in California. This purchase not only embraced all the lands which had not been granted by Mexico, but all the reserved minerals and metals, and also reversionary rights which might accrue to Mexico from a want of compliance on the part of the grantees with the conditions of their grants, _or a want of perfection in the grants_.