This section is from the book "Popular Law Library Vol6 Real Property, Abstracts, Mining Law", by Albert H. Putney. Also available from Amazon: Popular Law-Dictionary.
It is universally recognized that the first nation to occupy territory not before owned by any civilized nation acquires a good title thereto. It is held that such occupancy must be effectual, and a country acquires title only to such extent of country as is naturally controlled by the settlements made.5
 
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