Muskrat v. United States

219 U.S. 346 (1911)

Facts

Congress passed an act that conferred jurisdiction upon certain individuals and the representatives of all Cherokee citizens to sue in the Court of Claims to determine the validity of acts of Congress passed since the act of July 1, 1902 in so far as the same attempt to increase or extend the restrictions upon alienation, encumbrance or the right to lease the allotments of lands of Cherokee citizens, or to increase the number of persons entitled to share in the final distribution of lands and funds of the Cherokees beyond those enrolled for allotment as of September 1, 1902 and provided for in the said act of July 1, 1902. The Supreme Court heard the case challenging the act.