--Speech of the Author in the Senate.--Further
Proceedings and Correspondence relative to Fort Sumter.--Mr.
Buchanan's Rectitude in Purpose and Vacillation in Action.
The sites of forts, arsenals, navy-yards, and other public property of
the Federal Government were ceded by the States, within whose limits
they were, subject to the condition, either expressed or implied, that
they should be used solely and exclusively for the purposes for which
they were granted. The ultimate ownership of the soil, or eminent
domain, remains with the people of the State in which it lies, by virtue
of their sovereignty. Thus, the State of Massachusetts has declared
that--
"The sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Commonwealth extend to
all places within the boundaries thereof, subject only to such
rights of _concurrent jurisdiction_ as have been or may be
granted over any places ceded by the Commonwealth to the United
States."[111]
In the acts of cession of the respective States, the terms and
conditions on which the grant is made are expressed in various forms and
with differing degrees of precision. The act of New York, granting the
use of a site for the Brooklyn Navy-Yard, may serve as a specimen. It
contains this express condition:
"The United States are to retain such use and jurisdiction, _so
long as said tract shall be applied to the defense and safety of
the city and port of New York, and no longer_.
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