In Thompson v. Los Angeles Farming & Milling Co. (1901) 180 U.S. 72, an attempt was made to invalidate a federal patent under the Act of 1851 by asserting that Mexican law, at the time of the grant, gave the Governor of California no authority to dispose of certain land in question. The contention was that the Mexican grant was, in effect, void and that the federal patent was likewise void. The Supreme Court in rejecting that argument stated it was the purpose of the Act of 1851 to give final and complete repose to titles. "It was enacted, not only to fulfil our treaty obligations to individuals, but to settle and define what portion of the acquired territory was public domain. . . . Upon the confirmation of the claim by the commissioners or by the District or Supreme Court, a patent was to issue and be conclusive against the United States." ( Pp. 77-78.)