The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-12-11


But as il was also provided that this suspen-
sion should mol continue beyond the period
of twelve months from the passage of the
at, which expires on the Sd of March nexl,
and as there were nearly 100000 acres OF
lands 10 be examined, (irom which the
States moieiy was to be selected,) extend
| my through the twenty-lhree counties and
parts of counties, embraced within the dis
I1rici, itbccame necessary TO appoint a num-
Der of examiners sufficient to complete the
work, not only by the time specified, but in
. manner The most conducive TO the interest
of the Stale.
A separate map, as we'll as a separate list
of all the unsold lands, i'll each ofthese coun-
/ les, was procured from the General Land
/ Office, to placed in the hands of the several
examiners TO facilitate their labors, and to
guide them in their operations. Soon al
ter these were received, the examiners were
conyed at central point, IN order that by the
specific instructions which were there given
them, the necessary accuracy aud uniformity
on their part should be ensured. Had they
been required TO select for the State, each
in his own county, the better half of The
lands therein contained, these separate moi
cites might not, and indeed tits certain they
would not constitute the better half ofthe ag
gregate of the public lands in the district a:
large. They were directed, therefore, 10 di-
vide the lands in their respective counties in
to five classes, according 10 their value, as
compared with a common standard. +. b.
GoodselI, Esq, of Evansville, was appointed
as general agent to visit the different ex-
aminers while thus engaged, and by CON-
pairing their estimate, 10 secure The necessa-
ry uniformity in classifying the different rates.
BY this means it was believed, that when
The final reports of the examiners should be
received, II would not be difficult to select
the best classes oflands for the State.
By the terms ofthe grant, the State is pro.
hbiled from selling her portion Of thelands, for
less than the minimum price, for the time be-
ing, of other public lands.
But no restriction exists against The dis
posals OF them, in quantities however small.
Believing that il would be found advisable TO
sell, as low as in quarter quarter sections,
which would benefit the State by inviting
wider competition, and increasing the mum
Der Of freeholders, the lists pro cured from the
General Land Office, were transcribed and
subdyided into tracts of that size, before
they were put into the hands of the exami-
neTs.
Tins each forty acre tract will be found
separately rated and ready to receive cor
responding valuation in the discretion of
the Legislature, which will obvate the dan
ger existing in the case Of Uniform prices of
the best tracts Of that size being first pur-
chased, and residue of unsaleabe lands left
on hand.
The State has heretofore found il neces-
sary to make graduated valuation of all
lands granted to her for similar objects; and
if the means had not been thus afforded to
the Legislature, of at once affixing a suitable
| price to each class of lands in the present
grant, the necessity would exist of having
another personal examination with the same
amount of additional expense, and what is
probably of more importance, necessarily
deferring action upon The subject for another
fyear.
am happy to state that notwithstanding
much delay occassoned by the prevalent
sickness OF the season, the different exami-
ners have finished their labors. Complete
returns Of their works have been receive, and
suitable persons are now engaged in this
place, in making the final selections from
them.
II has already been stated that the mode
of selecting the -Staies' moiety within the
strip on each side of the canal, differs from
that OF selecting her portion without, the strip.
tlence, before the selections could be com
| pleted, either within or without, it was ne
cessary that the precise location of the ca
nal should be known. This, on account of
The loss of the notes of the former survey,
the CELEBRATION of mlrks, and other causes,
it was found impossible 10 ascertain without
neD surrey. Accordingly three expert
enced engineers, Il. II. Faunileroy OF Posey,
aided by w. J. B III of Vigo, and Samuel c.
| Bradford of Warrck, were appointed to as
certain and fix the location of the canal in
/ time for the selection of the lands. This
duty has been performed and chart of the
route of the canal, and of the lands selected
for the State within the strip, is now in course
of preparation. The chart when finished
will be be Immediately forwarded TO the Gen
eral Land Office; because, until that is done,
the lands, by the terms of the grant are not
vested in the Stale.
This munihcent donation in connection
wfh the disposition which it is understood is
manifested by our bond holders, may have
an important bearing upon the credit of the
State. And it is hoped that it has been rem
dered apparent, that no pains have been
spared On mypart to gain TO it, its utmost
value for that purpose.
The opinion has hitherto been nearly, il
not quite universal, among our citizens, as
we'll as others acquainted with our condi-
/ Inn and ro-n1rnns Al ii. hn.,onI IL