> To all, > I recently ran across the following story in Louisiana Roots, Sept. - Oct. > 1998, page 3. Hope you enjoy it. > Glenn > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > ------------------------------------- > "The following is a classic story which was sent to us by Tony Dardeau, > native of Louisiana, and President of the Vicksburg genealogical Society: > > Some years ago, a New Orleans lawyer sought a direct Veterans Administration > loan for a client. He was told that the loan would be approved if he could > provide proof of clear title to the property offered as collateral. The > title for the property in question was complicated and he spent a > considerable amount of time reviewing all pertinent documents back to 1803. > Satisfied with the depth and expanse of his examination, he submitted the > information to the V.A. > He soon received this reply from the V.A.: > 'We received your letter today enclosing application for a loan for your > client, supported by abstract of title. The application forms are complete, > but you have not cleared the title before the year 1803. Therefore, before > full review and possible approval can be accorded the application, it will be > necessary that the title be cleared back before that year.' > Annoyed, the lawyer wrote the V.A.: > 'By Your letter regarding titles in case #9378329 received, I note > that you wish titles extending further back than I have presented. Your > attention is invited to the following information to update your records for > the property prior to 1803: > a) I was unaware that any educated person would not know that the > United States gained clear title to Louisiana from France in 1803. This > title transfer was a result of a real estate transaction known as The > Louisiana Purchase. > b) France gained clear title to Louisiana by right of conquest from > Spain under the Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800). > c) The land came into the possession of Spain by right of discovery > in 1492 by a sailor named Christopher Columbus. He was acting on behalf of > Isabella, Queen of Spain, and had her permission to claim newly discovered > lands for Spain. > d) The good Queen, being a pious woman and careful about titles - > almost as careful as the V.A. - took the precaution of securing the blessing > of the Pope before authorizing the voyage. > e) The Pope is a servant of God; God created the world. > f) Therefore, I believe that it is safe to presume that God created > title to that part of the world called Louisiana and thus was the original > holder of the property in question.'" > > > > > ==== BAGWELL Mailing List ==== > Please Help Support Rootsweb! By becoming a member, your donation will continue to have this great surname e-mail list, and the new surname boards on a website at Rootsweb! Your donations are the only thing that keep them going! Just go to: http://www.rootsweb.com/ > >