Kerlin v. Sauceda

in which Chief Justice JEFFERSON, Justice WAINWRIGHT, Justice MEDINA, Justice GREEN, and Justice JOHNSON joined.

In 1829, the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico, recognized the claims of Padre Nicolas Balli and his nephew, Juan Jose Balli, to Padre Island. Since then, the island’s ownership has been the subject of numerous legal disputes, including the present one. See, e.g., U.S. v. 34,884 Acres, No. C.A. 142 (S.D.Tex.1948), aff'd sub nom De Lourett v. Kerlin, 182 F.2d 750 (5th Cir.1950); State v. Balli, 144 Tex. 195, 190 S.W.2d 71 (1944); Havre v. Dunn, No. 6515 (103rd Dist. Ct., Cameron County,…