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mission lands

Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law

Definitions from Case Law

From 59 U.S. 553 - The United States v. Cruz Cervantes · 1855Most cited · 8 citing opinions

The large tracts of land appurtenant to the mission establishments, were never vested in the church, or any other corporation or individual, by any grant of a legal title. The missionaries and Indians had an usufruct or occupancy of the land, at the will of the sovereign.