Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-01-10
Sale Of the Mineral Lands.

Extract from The Report Of the Commissioner
Of the General Land Office.
We ask attention TO this extract. The
truth that these lands, taken together. are
worth no more Than other lands, is clearly and
fairly stated.
II deem i, my duty TO call your serious at.
ieniion 10 the present mineral land system
This is a subject deeply interesting 10 The set.
lers IN some of the northwestern States and
Territories. The condition Of The mineral re.
gion and the manner in which its operations
have been managed, are but very imperfrc,ly
understood by the public. and perhaps intimate
ly known TO none but those who have resided
a number Of years in that district.
" The government has attempted 10 reserve
from sale all lands upon which actual discove-
ries of ore were known to have been made. and
also those lands 10 which, from certain geolcg
ica indications, mineral was supposed TO ex.
list. The management of the mineral region
was taken from the Geaeral Land Office in he
year 1921. and placed under the management
Of the War Department.
The agents The War Department. appoint
ed 10 superiniend he mineral lands. had no Of.
fcia, connection with the General Land Office,
and consequently. but very imperfect knowl-
edpe of the public surveys. In most cases
they were upscquainred with the location. &C.
cording to the public surveys. Of even the
mines. diggipgs and 6iscorsries. under their
superinIendence. and were obliged 10 rely upon
miners and settlers for Information on this sub.
iec,. From this information, (not always dis.
inierested,) lists Of Supposed mineral lands
were compiled By the agents. and transmitted
to the War Department and Local Land Of.
fees. and there marked on the pla,s as miner
al lands and reserved as such. A large por-
lion Of the lands. however. embraced in these
lists, contain no discoveries Of ore. and are. 10
fact, amongst the riches, agricultural aud best
timhered lands in the whole district.
All lands. not thus reserved. are subject TO
sale and entry and consequently Land Offices
are disposing Of mineral lands from day to day
without being conscious Of u. The evil. how.
ever, does no, stop here. when the mineral
agents discover that mineral lands have been
sold-sometlmes with. and sometimes with
out the knowledge Of purchasers: they consider
il their duty. in order 10 protect The interest of
the government. TO Institute judicial proceed.
invs to set aside The sales and recover back the
mines. The dockeis ia some Of the northwes.
tern Siaies and Territories are crowded at This
time with suiis OF this character. These sniis
are likely 10 be slrenuously contested. and after
lapse Of years. and large ouilsys Of pnblic
money. the United States NAV saereed ia re-
covering bark quantity Of land stripped Of
timber. and exhausted Of ore The system its.
elf is o6iOus TO he people. Its tendency is to
convert the government into sn immense and.
lord. and the settlers into senan;ry. Upwards
Of a million Of acres. embracing sons Of the
richest agricultural lands Of the northwest. are
reserved from sale and permanent settlement.
pnees the mistakes notion Of preserving The