We simply state what the record indicates. The condemnation proceeding was never finalized with respect to the parcels at issue here. Instead the parties executed a deed. Consequently, the railroad did not acquire its interest in the property via condemnation. We find the deed to be the determinative instrument. What Property Interest Did the Railroad Acquire? In determining the interest conveyed, the deed must be interpreted in light of the law in effect at the time of its execution. See Hash v. United States, 403 F.3d 1308, 1315 (Fed.Cir.2005) (explaining that, despite current contrary public policy, “the property rights of these early landowners are governed by the law in effect at the time they acquired their land”); Preseault v. United States, 100 F.3d 1525, 1534 (Fed.Cir.1996) (<HOLDING>). Plaintiffs allege that in 1872 “under
holding that determination of whether right is clearly established must be undertaken in light of the specific context of the case holding that statutes must be read so as to give effect to all statutory language recognizing obligation to read the language of the statute in light of previously established common law holding that determination of interests conveyed in nineteenthcentury transfers requires a close examination of the conveying instruments read in light of the common law and statutes of vermont then in effect holding that the statutes abrogated the common law