The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-30

officers in whose districts the several towns are sua-
ep TO enable them at early period to offer the town
lots for sale as directed by law 'ince which, II APP
pears the lots in several OF the towns, not claimed 10y
pre- smpon, and large portion OF those which had
been claimed hut IeInqulshed In order 10 be In
Guided IN the public sale offered for sale, AMI the
returns thereof having been made to this Office await
It's lurlher action ami that in September last lnsIuc-
lions we're transmitted To the Registers and Receivers
at Mineral Point, Du Buque, and Burlington, accom-
panied by the accounts Of the commissioners with CO.
pies OF the correspondence relating thereto, and to
certain alleged over charges so as TO enable them as
directed tn scrutlnlze each item of tho accounts be-
fore paying them; also requiring them TO pay to
the trustees of the respective towns the proceeds Of
sales of own-lots directed by the third section OF
the act of Sd March 1887, after deducting and retain
ing in their hands, sufficient amount to cover the
whole expenses incurred
VIRGINIA MILITARY RESERVATION BETWEEN TIE
LITTLE MIAMI AND sCIoTA RIVERS, IN 1.-THE
STATE OF OHIO
By an act of Congress passed on Cd March, 1907,
the Secretary Of the Treasury authorized TO OBJ
tain copies OF all the records of locations and surveys
which have been or may be made within the limits OF
the above named district Of country. Such tran
scripts are essential in the management by this office
of the business connected with the Virginia Military
lands, IN manner satisfactory TO the public, and
much Inconvenience continually results to parties in
terested, by reason of the Department not having
procured under the provisions of the aforesaid act
copies OF such locations and surveys to period later
than the year 1873.
1t is estimated that the cost of procuring such adj
ditona transcripts will be about three thousand dol
lars, for which il desirable that the necessary APP
preparation should be placed at the disposal of the
Department.
The fact that the originals are necessary there Gin
Ohio) renders it impossible to remove them here to
be copied.
GENERAL DUTIES
1t is important to advert to the fact. (Which with
very limited experience ! feel satisfied will be APP
preciated by those longer acquainted with the pecu-
liar nature of the duties devoving on this Office that
the amount OF the sales of lands, and the number of
patents periodically prepared, furnish no adequate
and just criterion by which to estimate the extent and
Importance OF the complicated abors performed by
this department
The multfarlous acquisitions the various branch
es Of correspondence momentarily demanding the
exercise OF patient nye cation; the solution OF n:g-
cate Judicial questions OF continual recurrence espe-
cialy in reference TO priv land cills, demanding
dlligent and extensive research .le principles
laid down by the courts OF the country and the com
mon law in analogous cases, and which the grounds
OF ministerial action, are of preliminary TO
the mere mechanical operation of issuing the patents
found to be rather the increase than otherwise
The ncessant requisitions from all sections OF the
country, which greatly swell the miscellaneous
pondence Of The Office have reference, very great
extent TO past action and hence, from their very ma
ture must bear proportion to the aggregate of the
past operations, and may therefore be expected TO in
crease with time
Although not DESTROYS Of simplifying these remarks
by any exbibiionof the details duties performed
would nevertheless beg leave assure sou that the
labors connected with sthe Burehux of I" Public |
Lands, Surveys" and Private Land Claims have
probably never been more onerous than during the |
year about To terminate; and The same obscrv alton
WI, with equal truth, apply TO the correspondence
connected with the execution OF the preempiion io1es
nor has any dlmnutUn been discovered ia the requ |
siiiuns relating to the subject revolutionary ARM
lands. The number Of patents signed by the prescn
Recorder this Office since March last is above six
ty thousand.
The attention f,he Office has recently been dnec,
cd TO proper arrangement of the nJortau files OF pa
pefs connected with land tales, and the providing of
book cases of suitable construction for the more con
venent disposition and protection of its numerous re-
cords arrangements which esteemed the greatest
necessity for The preservation OF The entire archives in
relat on 10 public lands, which have accumulated
since the commencement Of the system. These pro-
ce,dngs are yet in progress and WILL i, is hoped, be
during the uing spring.
take leave, in conclusion, tn say that the subject
of the reduction OF the clerical force OF the Office aud
a consequent retienchment of its expenses has for
some tine past engaged attention
My short experience in regard TO the very multfa-
rous subjects and extended dails of the dulles re-
CURED OF this institution, speak with DIFF
hdence as yet respecting the time when the work OF
reduction can, with strict regard TO the public n,e
rest be entered upon
Many works Of much magnitude, and which posi-
bly, to some may appear Of doubtful necessity remain
yet 10 he performed which, if engaged in would con
sderably pone the period for commencing any con-
sid, liable .eduction. Respecting these subjects of la
Dor, It would be very desirable 10 your advice
before should be willing on my own determinations
TO engage IN them as matters of indispensable neces-
sity
With much consideration am, sir, your obedient
servant.
E. NJ. HUNTINGTON, Commissioner
Hon. WAITER Forward
Secretary Of The Treasury.