Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-20
PUBLIC LANDS.


The subioined statement, which copy from the
National inteilgencer, will be read with special M
terest in connexion with the efforts which are ma
king by some of the Western States to secure the
possession of all public lands within their respec.
tive limits 1t will be seen that the question lnvol-
we'd in their claims, is OF immense importance to the
nation. affecting its interests Gf we take into view
its prospective operaon) to the extent of several
hundred millions of dollars. For if it is uncon-
sttuonel on the part of the United States to retain
the possession of lands in Indiana, Illinois, sc. it
will also be unconstitutional to retain the possession
of land in any State which may hereafter be formed
And further if the Government has no right 10
possess lands within he limits ofncorporated sates
it never had this right and consequently, in all the
sales it has made of such lands since the date OF
their respective interpretations, it has disposed OF
what was not its own, and therefore may justly be
called upon to refund the money with lntesest.-
Journalo Of Commerce
From The National MteMgencer.
The question has been asked =" are the Public
Lands of any real value to the United States, and
is IT not true as has been stated the floor Of Con-
gress, that they cost more than they come to ~
This is an inquiry OF great Importance, and is best
answered by reference to the documents accompany
ing the Message of the President for the two last
wears As these documents in possession OF
but few of your readers and as this subject is Just
now occupyng much Of the attention of Congress-
and is of general interest, send you the following
statement of
FACTS.
The quantity of land sold up to the 3oth June
1923 was 81 1903 ,969 acres.
The amount of sales, up to 3oth June, l82S,was
S4l ,950,247 53.
There has been granted for support OF Schools
and Colleges, 7,64l.9l7 acres.
has ad for canals
1884 537 acres.
There has been granted for military bounes and
private claims. 19. 295,777 acres.
The quantity OF land already surveyed and yet
unsold is 2lo.213,3o0 acres.
The quantity of land in the U. s. mcedcd, and
not embraced within the limits of 5 ates and Ter
rtoriesl is estimated at $50 600. 900 acres.
The National Inheritance" as Mr.. Adams, has
styled the public domains, has cost, including every
charge of purchase, surveying, and sale S32,9ll,-
313.
But this sum covers the purchase money OF Lou
isina and Florida, which was paid for Sovereignty
of that State and Territory, rather than Tor the
soil deduct. therefore. the 10000 900 pad tor
Louisiana and Florida, and the real cost Of the
United States Lands, is Sl2,9 ,8l3, which being
tednrel from the amount of sales, leaves balance
in favor ofthe public lands of S5l ,o39.65i.
And if we add to this sum the value OF the lands
of bounty that would have been paid, had the United
States had no lands to have offered the soldier, the
reat value of the lands would probably be equal to
the an, ount Ut snlcs, Gll.950.2l7
1t is said i" that the cost Of surveying and sal,
nearly equals the receipts - so far from this beins
true, while the per ceWuge on collecting the Gus
TONS for 626 cost 81 perceut, the cost OF survey
ng and sale of public lands was only Clio pei
cent.
There are now . o ,273 500 acres ofland area
dy surveyed, and which if sold at the present pri
ces deductng cost of sale would yield net revenue
to the Treasury Of 1888, 6i2, 10.
The National journal contains few additional
facts, which we here suit Join:
Within the boundaries of the several states an
territories, the aggregate opubllc lands is ,32o
1870 acres, of which the quantity purchased by th
United States is 25S, 377 ,G67 acres, and the amour
not vet coded BY the indians is about 50, 917, 40
acres. The amount of surveys Of public lands re
ceved to January, 1926. and not yet proclaimed 10
sale is in Ohio, SO, 3l6 002 l2 acres lin Indiana
$50, GAS, 099 l2 acres, IN Illinois, 9,674, lG2-o'
acres in Michigan, l,219.3l2-i9 acres in Mis-
sourl, ,3l3, 1859 acres; in Arkansas, 3,l74O0
acres in Alabama, 3,i37 ,476-o7 acres in Mi,
sissppi. ,245.915-50 acres and in Lousian;
665.66l-l g acres, making toal Of 25, 0 ), 1873
acres of which ol9,303-89 acres are lands r.
iinuished under the several acts passed in the yea
1899, 1928 and 1871.
Subsequent to the publication Of this Synopsi
important grants of public lands have been made |
Congress to The States of Ohio, Illinois, lndiana, \
--rHEs. 7nn--
COURT OF KINGS BENCH.
fiction for ibel- Cooper VS.. Uakdy.-This "
an action brought by Mr. Bransby Cooper, nephc