The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-27

assing upon the Wabash and Erie canal, which az
fords good navigation between the lakes and the
Mississippi, Il is not matter of surprise that tho cit
liens of that State should have become impatient
DEF circumstances so much calculated TO impede their
prosperity. BY the treaty with the Mismies, OF No
vomoer -, l640, Is stipulated that they shall
move in five year. from that date. and, according to
the strict letter Of the law, might be deemed pre-
mature to bring these lands sooner into market; but
It is the understanding OF the commissioner who ne
goated the treaty on the part OF the Government
communicated 10 this ONCE, that this stipulation
not to retird In any interfere with their
survey or sale. But whether such was the mutual
understanding at the lime not (snd am conslrain
ed 1, believe that Il was from my know ledge Of the
highly respectable Individual who was the commits
soner on the occasion,) have 10 believe that
If Congress will make small appropriation TO cover
the expenses of visit by depulaton Of the tribe 10
the lands assigned Them west of the Mssissppi, the
whole body would remove Immediately thereafter !
and indulge the hope that this will be done could
assign other considerations why this measure should
be promptly adopted, but this might DO deemed in
compatible with the character Of this commur lea
tom and l shall, therefore, leave tho subject 20
hose who have been intrusted by the people inn
medistsly concerned with The Important rcspon-
sibilty Of their interests. In connexion with il;
however, beg leave TO suggest that simultane-
ously with the movement to bring these lands into
the market should be q new arrangement Of
the land districts, by attaching that portion OF them
lying south OF The line dividing townships 90 and
Wayne district and attaching 80 much of said land
dlstr C, as lies norh Of said line TO the Winamac ds
uict. The Territory embraced would then form Two
good districts, With the respective land Offices CON
venlent points and thus the requirements of the act
ofCongIoss of June IL, 1890 entitled San act for he
Jnnuance OF the office Of surveyo' general in the
several districts the survey therein can be
completed for abolishing land Offices uncsr certain
circumstances and for other pup 'ses. would b.,
piled with.
The entitled san act to provide for the armed
occupation and Irttemen of the unsettled pat of the
peninsula of East Florida has been carried out as
as practicable up TO this time permits being granted
accordingly for the whole amount of the app opriAon
of ZOO 600 acres Precautionary meas ues were taken
TO prevent an exec OF entries but, owing he land
offices being at remote points from each other the in
stturtons OF this office Enthusiastically violated
but It Is believed that the aggregate has been reduced
to the proper quantity, BY abandonment in cases,
and the cancellation Of he permits in Others which,
apart from any excess were deemed incompatible with
The sp,It and provisions of the law
The labor which this law has necess 4rily devolved
upon the registers and receivers being very nspons
BILE and oneIous, IL seems but reasonable that they
should have some compensation tor il. The per
centage now allowed by law upon the sale Of the
same quantity # land al the minimum price of the
Governmeat would amount TO "a 732; and To some
extent at least it may be considered that the same
principle should be applied to this special service
Or II Objectionable the ground that it would be
taking from the public treasury to add TO donation
already liberal, a fee might be authorized at the time
the proof of settlement is made within the year from
the date Of the permit and another at The time of the
final proof of continued residence and cultivation;
thus atording prospectvely regular remuneration
Tor the services rendered.
cannot iorbear TO bring to yorr consideration the
general subject of the fees allowed to registers and
receivers, These officers frequently called upon
for plats, diagrams, copies of feidnotes, and other
items of information Of indispensable importance to
the citizen, which it would be great hardship TO
refuse him, and for which fees allowed by law
The seeming illberay of requiring these services
TO be performed gratuousy led to the payment for
them by The applicant according to his sense Of pro-
Prety; and, finally, TO its being eX3cted by the Off
GERS themselves, according TO their views of the
value Of them Thi, OPP. ned the door TO extortion
the citizens complained and it was deemed proper
TO issue circular lin which this Office cordially uni
ted giving peremptory orders for the disconnuance
OF the practice OF receiving fees in any cases what
ever no. authorized by law. But whilst official pu-
rity is thus Vigorously required must hope that the
lust claims ~ the registers and sceiyers TO fair
compensation by law such services as above emu
merated, will be reco Missed
In the land office at ST. Augustine, in Florida,
there has been an occurrence which imperiously
requires attention, and remedial legislation for the
enzen former receiver OF public moneys, at
ter taking money IN payment for the public land,
and gi.lng a Iecsip, to the purchaser, failed TO
monty the register make any return of It 10
this cties, bot appropriated the to his
private use. This office of course has moi and can
not receive from the the fcates ec,ssary
to The issuing of patent, in such cases nor can i,
certain The precise extent TO which the abuse has been
committed nor can II obi ain any definite 10 formaton
except non time 10 time the isolated lcoe ds
presented by the purchasers. law au heriz a. this
Office to issue The patents those receipts up The
further evidence by the affidavit Of III, hods- r. thai
the money VS. actually paid Ia 10 the receiver wouli
tbe evil in this Gaze, far he CITIZEN is 'on-
cefned; and # The Government never rfaiized any
al. ~. A A .
that shouts be- so than that the cii1en should suf
fer, who wa eompel,d by be Go,srnmcnl to confJe
10 hin.
As it ssary from the time limited in the
armed occupation law, hat there should be delay
In the pre- araiory surveys and the in thai
lsttu was con uieisd unpropiiious 10 field work 1t
was spprsh 'nded that there mig be delay. pro-
due i've OF ineou,e 1ience TO the xeuers lui, utder
the active eSertions OF the Surveyor general If that
street the surveys were promptly commenced and
prosscut Wit W N occuIrerce of any such disap
pon m mt The fu ar opea Ions in this line ia Fo-
fds will be extensive; and, III private land claims
under ,snish giants ard d ,nstions are numstous,
regu ring much e and great labor 10 collecting III
propsf tsstin,uy 10 establish their true hour-
dnie', tine sppo ntin Mt Of surveyor, 10 attend
exclusively 10 this duy, and 10 act under
the Instructions aud sencr a supervision of the
surveyor general, IS earnestly recommended. 1t
would insure prOmptitude in such cases, absolutely
impraeteabe under existing circumstances; would
give great satisfaction TO those concerned, the
Government much trouble, and be measure Of
economy.
Ths lands granted to certain STATE. by the act Of
September a. 1871, being SO 00J es to each, I'm
GLIDING in that com lands previously granted
have Uesn, to great extent selected by Them, and
the returns approved Of, although tho process has
been somewhst retarded by conflicting entrie, and
other Irregularities II is to ne regretted that any
difficulty should have occurred in tie execution Of
this iaw--mors especially one " hch has been pro-
ductiye Of some correspondence between several Of
the States and Ibis office, and which, from the feel
Ing mani ested, emitted to some explanatory notice.
The presumption laws invest the settler upon the
public land with The right OF soil from the lime he
occunies L. provided he RIXca due notice. anl