Washington history

[Linda]

Research information you may find useful. From Washington's 1878 Constitution; the whole constitution is at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/constitution.aspx
https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/legacy/1 ... tution.pdf

"...Preamble
We the people, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our freedom in order to be secure and perpetuate its blessings, form a more independent and perfect government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Washington.
Article I. Boundaries
The Boundaries of the State of Washington shall be as follows: Commencing one marine league west from the mouth of the middle of the north ship channel of the Columbia river, thence along the northern boundary of the State of Oregon, up said river to where the forty sixth parallel of north latitude intersects the same near the mouth of the Walla Walla river, thence east along the said parallel to where it intersects the middle of the main channel of Snake river. Then southerly, along said channel of Snake river to where
it intersects the forty-fifth parallel of north latitude, thence east, along said parallel, to where it intersects the meridian thirty-seven degrees and thirty minutes west, thence north along said meridian, to where it intersects the crest of the Bitter Root range of mountains, thence north-westerly, along the crest of said mountains, to where it intersects the British Possessions, thence westerly along the line of the British Possessions to a point one marine league west from the mouth of the middle of the channel of the Straits of Juan de Fuca, thence southerly at a distance of one marine league west from the east 3 shore of the Pacific Ocean to the place of beginning including all islands and parts of islands within said boundaries within the jurisdiction of the United States
Article II Eminent Domain
Section 1.
The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction to all rivers bordering on the state, so far as such rivers shall form a common boundary to the state and any other state or territory, now ore hereafter to be formed, and bounded by the same. [Deleted from document, see notes at end].
Section 2.
The title is all lands and other property which has accrued to the Territory of Washington, by gift, grant, purchase, forfeiture, or otherwise, shall vest in the state.
Section 3.
The people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, are declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within the jurisdiction of the state, and all lands, the title to which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the state..."