William McIntosh
With the general framework in place for securing peace and acquiring Indian lands on the U.S. frontier, the
United States acquired the Ohio Valley area. Selling the land to raise money and encourage frontier settlement,
the United States soon sold to William McIntosh some of the land including the original parcels earlier acquired
by Johnson and Graham. With McIntosh laying claim to his new lands, Johnson and Graham filed a lawsuit in
the District Court for Illinois challenging McIntosh's ownership. Johnson and Graham argued they had legally
purchased the parcels directly from the tribes before the United States had gained control of the region. The
court rejected their argument and ruled in favor of McIntosh. Johnson and Graham appealed to the U.S.
Supreme Court.