Legal Antics of the Federal Housing Authority

  Some years ago, a New Orleans lawyer sought a direct Federal Housing
  Authority 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 FHA.

  He soon received a reply from the FHA.:

    "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 a be accorded
  the application, it will be necessary that the title be cleared back
  before that year."

  Annoyed, the lawyer wrote the FHA.:

    "Your letter regarding titles in case #9378329 received.  I note
  that you wish titles extended 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 that part of the world called Louisiana and thus was the
   original holder of the property in question.