Arguments frequently arise as to the amount of land a man may rightfully claim and thus own.

These arguments are today largely passe, since virtually all land is already in a state of ownership or in a state of conflicting ("public") ownership.  Nature itself sets no limit.

Of course, if a man is to have his claim respected, he is going to have to do certain things. He must first make certain that he is in fact the first claimant.

Just to locate a large piece of land is not sufficient.  The would-be owner must be dilligent in making certain that he is not engaged in claiming a property that is already owned by another.

In the long record of human acquisition of land, most men acting outside the control of government had this thought in mind.

Where governments intervened or were involved, the rightful claim to a piece of land was frequently ignored or overridden.

Columbus laid claim to all of the Americas without bothering to consult with the inhabitants of the land who were starkly in evidence at the time.

This was clearly an act of political usurpation.  Several kings subsequently played fast and loose with the land in America, trading it off one way or another without bothering to find out whose property rights were being violated.