United States v. De Haro

The claim in this case, which is for a 100-vara lot at the Mission Dolores, was rejected by the board for want of any description of the premises, either in the petition or grant, whereby they could be identified. The cause having been appealed to this court, a witness was produced who testified to the location of the lot granted to De Haro. He describes it as situate on Dolores street and adjoining the “Casa Prin *803 cipal” of the old mission, on the north side of said house, and on the west side of Dolores street. There is nothing intervening between said lot and the “Casa Principal.” De Haro built a house -on it, and fenced it in. On this testimony the claim was confirmed. In the decree the description given by the witness is verbatim adopted, and this decree has been affirmed by the supreme court. [22 How. (63 U. S.) 293.]

As to the general location of the lot there is no.dispute. In his petition De Haro aslcs for a lot 100 varas square “in that occupied by the ruins of the houses which formerly belonged to the escolta of the mission.” The site of these houses is admitted, and that built by De Haro still exists. It is objected, however, that the southern boundary line of the…