In the case of The Josefa Segunda, Carricabura et al. Claimants, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether or not a Spanish grant of land in Florida had been validly conveyed by Spain before it ceded control over that territory to the United States. The claimants argued that they were entitled to title and possession under a royal decree issued by King Charles IV of Spain in 1803 which granted them certain lands in East Florida. However, the United States contended that this grant could not be recognized because it had occurred after Spain's transfer of sovereignty over East Florida to America on February 22nd 1819. After examining all relevant evidence including documents from both sides as well as testimony from witnesses who lived during this period, the court ultimately ruled against recognizing any rights based on this particular Spanish grant due to its timing being after American sovereignty took effect and thus invalidated under U.S law at that time.

In the case of The Josefa Segunda, Carricabura et al. Claimants, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a Spanish grant of land in Florida had been extinguished by virtue of Spain's cession to the United States. A majority opinion held that it had not and that title remained with claimants who were descendants from those originally granted the land by Spain. However, Justice Johnson dissented on this point and argued instead that since there was no evidence presented as to how long ago or under what circumstances these grants were made, they could not be considered valid at all given their antiquity. He further noted that even if such evidence existed it would still have been insufficient for establishing any rights against a sovereign power like Spain which has an absolute right over its own territories unless otherwise provided for in treaties or other laws passed by Congress.