early US history, notably the Louisiana Purchase under Thomas Jefferson. Historically, from the very beginning, the Federal government has purchased, conquered, owned, and held land for purposes other than the ones you mention. And the courts have upheld its right to do so.

As for disposal, I have no issue with the Federal government disposing of its land, as long as it doesn't give it away to states or other special interest groups. Federal lands are an important asset that belongs to the people of the United States, and we should treat it as such.

Before the establishment of the income tax, Federal land sales were possibly the largest source of revenue for the Federal government, but today it is an underutilized source of revenue. I would love to see us crank up the land sales as a way to pay down the Federal debt and/or reduce taxes.