Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-12-17

inspt elton Of the country embraced WITH
IN The grant; but the agents were informed
That 1t was not expected they should pro-
coed IN the discharge Of the task assigned
them until further advised. l commune
cate TO you letter from the Commissioner
OF The General Land Office, received since
these appointments were made, accompa-
| med by diagram of the surveyed portion
OF this grant, from which it will be seen TO
be the decision Of the Department that the
only step necessary to be taken by the
Territory or State is TO make choice be-
tweenthe odd and even sections. Should
it be thought advisable, under this decis-
ion, 10 dispense with all examination Of
the land, II will he in the power Of the Ls-
gisla;ure 10 do so. The list referred to in
this letter as showing the areas Of all the
sections ana parts OF sections within the
grant, was found, upon examination, TO be
entirely incorrect, and has been returned.
Beyond the appointment Of Commissioners
TO mike the necessary selections no meas
nres have been adopted towards fulfilling
the requirements OF the law; and it will
remain for the State authorities to take
such further action on the subject as may
be found necessary TO make the donation
available.
That the State will accept of this ex-
tensiye grant, and faithfully apply its pro-
ceeds, cannot entertain doubt. The
Des Mones is known TO present fewer OBJ
s'|cles to navigation than any other river
within our limits, and lis impr ov ement has
even been regarded as an object Of the first
importance. The practicabihty of SO i'm
proving it, by locks and dams, as to en-
able reasonably sized steam boats to pass
as high up as the Raccoon fork, a distance
OF one hundred and fifty miles, has been
affirmed by engineers of experience; nor,
from the regularity OF the river, its high
banks, rock bottom. and extremely favora-
bic character generally, is it believed the
work would be attended with any very
heavy expenditure of money. 1t is an i'm
provement in which nearly one half of the
people of iowa are directly interested, as
furnishing them with an easy, safe and
cheap mode Of transit for their vast and in
creasing surplus productions, and one
which, when completed, will greatly add
TO the population and wealth Of the State.
The precise extent OF the grant cannot be
ascertained at present; but l feel war
ranted in stating from information derived
\ from the most reliable sources, that it will
cover upwards of three hundred thousand
acres of the most fertile and valuable land
/ in Iowa.
In order to make those lands available,
and al the same time to avoid injustice 10
very large class OF citizens, who, acting
upon the invitation Of the Government 10
settle on the public domain, have made To-
cations which will be embraced within the
grant, additional legislation will be neces-
sary. 1t is estimated that at least two
thirds OF the entire donation is occupied
and claimed by settlers, may of whom,
under The expectation of obtaining title
TO their lands from the general govern
ment at the minimum price, have gone on
TO make extensive and valuable improve
ments. A change of proprieorship should
not, in my opinion, be permitted TO place
this large and respectable portion of our
/ fellow citizens in worse condition in re-
gard to their lands than they are at pres
ent, either by increasing the price or short
ening the period allowed for payment. In
view Of all the circumstances am inclined
TO believe that special pre-emption law,
which will give to the claimants the priv
ilege Of entering their homes at ST. 25 per
acre, will be found the most judicious
course for the State, as ii doubtless will
be the most satisfactory to the settlers
The passage Of such law, or Of any law
looking to the prosecution Of the Des
Moines river Improvement, must necessa-
rlly be followed by the establishment of
land office, and the appointment Of an agent
or agents 10 dispose of the lands.
| The period has arrived when complete
revision of the laws of Iowa is on all hands
expected. The want of such code has
been felt and acknowledged for years, but
it was deemed inexpedient 10 commence its
compilation until after the organization of
State government. In calling the atten-
ton of the Legislature to the subject now,
feel that need but refer TO its importance
TO ensure immediate and favorable action.
The confusion which pervades our statute
enactments is as injurious in its tenden-
cies, as, if permitted TO continue, it will
be disreputable TO the character Of the
State. Nor will it be an easy task TO col
lect, harmonic, and put into proper shape,
The incongruous Legislation of eight years;
but work of time and labor, which should
be committed TO none but able hands. |
cannot but express the hope that in author
izing such revision the State will avail
itself of its best legal talent, whether it be
deemed advisable to institute a special
commission for the purpose, or, as has been
done elsewhere, some gentleman learned
in the law he authorized to perform the
work, with guarantee that the State will
subscribe and pay stipulated price for
certain number of copies upon their deliv-
cry. In either case the State should pre-
scribe the arrangement and execution Of
the work in the fullest manner possible.
! | regret to inform you that an effort
made by me during the past summer to ef-
feet such return of the effective strength
of the militia as would enable the State 10
draw lis proper quota of arms proved en-
tirely unsuccessful most unacco,,rt.