The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-12
PUBLIC DOCUMENT.


Lana Oances
GENERAL LAND OYrrcE,
November 30, 1916
Su have The honor TO submit the following report.
s,h The accompanying documents, showing the oper;,-
saOs Of this branch OF the public service during The ne
cJ that has elapsed SINCE the last annual communication
nom this Office,
The sales Of the public lands during the year lsa5,
oun,ed SIS 90 acres, producing So 1908 II
ma the first second and third quarters of the present
wear 0s.1 acres Were sold, amounting to Sc o22
sO ". as Indicated by exhibits A, b. and C. A COM
ason Of these exhibits with those OF several of the pre-
ing years shows that the sales have been regularly in
|caslng mol stimulated, 1t is believed in any degree by
SPECULATION, but keeping pace only with the increase Of
|oaon, ard made mainly Tor the purposes of actual
settlement and cultivation most Of the entries being in
small subdivisions, ana many under the pre-emption
privilege
During the present year the aggregate quantity of pub
p lands in all the States and Territories which has been
proclaimed for sale, amounts to I2 535,s7s acres
The details presented in document ID, herewith,
(which shows the quantity advertised for sale or brought
INTO market in each State and Territory the amount sur
|eyed and not proclaimed for sale, with the reasons why
In Ohio all the public lands have been brought into
market excepia few small islands in the Miami river
In Indiana the lands embraced in the cessons by the
Al Indians Of 1884, 1885 and 1910, have not Yet been
Had open TO purchase The last OF those cessions is now
being surveyed When the official returns of the surveys
M those lands shall have been made and the canal grants
adjusted the whole will be offered at public sale Con-
ess, by the act OF 18th August 1876 having attached
them land districts thereby removing an insuperable
fculty which had previously existed to bringing any
h them into market
In Michigan all lands which have been attached to
band districts except few townships considered very
auable in the southern peninsula, have been duly Of
Tered
In the northern peninsula and Lake Superior copper re-
on ,7lo67S acres are ready for sale; and these
lands attracting much attention. from the valua
bic fisheries in the adjacent lakes and the rich mineral
eposltes in many OF them it is recommended that Con-
es adopt the necessary measures during the ensuing
session with view to the disposal of them to enterpris
Eng citizens seeking home in that region.
In Illinois the public lands have all been surveyed and
opened to sale, except about 900 acres and some IN
finished surveys on the principal rivers.
In Missouri upwards of 100000 acres have been pro-
aned this year, and nearly 100000 are prepared
or SALE but not yet offered part being nterered with by
The Camorgan claim, part situated in Current river cop
per region, and the balance suspended until the northern
boundary of the State shall have been finally settled
In Wisconsin upwards of l,250,ooO acres have been
reclaimed embracing all the lands which ready for
ale
In Iowa upwards of 100000 acres have been pro-
amed and about 100000 acres ready for market,
ut withheld until the grant for the Improvement of the
)es MONIES river and the southern boundary of the Ter
iery shall have been adjusted
In Arkansas about 3,2o0,0oo acres have been pro-
lamed and nearly 900 ready for sale but
suspended consequence of the Inference of the De Bas
rop and Camorgan claims.
In Louisiana upwards of 100000 have been pre-
he interference of the De Bastrop and Dauerve claims
In Mississippi upwards of 100000 acres have been
dvertsed comprising nearly all the land ready for sale
that State
In Alabama about es 900 acres, heretofore suspended
account OF private claims, ready for market
In Florida upwards of i,25000O have been pro-
aimed during the past year, and nearly 200 900 acres
repaired for future procamations.
Oh the lands thus proclaimed for sale, there are
~ ,ois acres in Illinois,
IS, l26 acres in Iowa,
81, 1892 acres in Wisconsin, and
2,769 acres in Arkansas;
Il OF which were heretofore withheld or reserved from
ale accout Of their supposed mineral qualities or as
obtaining timber 1T for smelling purposes.
They are now ordered into market under the provi-
ions Of the act Of 18th July last which authorized the
resident to sell the reserved mineral lands in those
taes, supposed to contain lead ore None of these pro-
almed lands, however, embrace tracts which there
re outstanding unexpred, and undetermined leases from
ne government or its authorized agents
From exhibit ID, it will also be perceived that nearly all
he lands in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi and Ala
ANA have been surveyed; and the resurveys re-
ured IN several OF those States, to replace the original
ed notes which lost destroyed are rapidly pro-
resslng, will become necessary transfer to the
tate authorities the pats and documents pertaining to
he surveys within their respective limits, as required by
he act Of 18th June, 1870 So far, however as Ohio is
Interested, this transfer has been made and Judging
rom the operation OF this system in that case, it seems to
absolutely necessary that other and further legislative
revision be made, by which the officer in whose charge
hose pats and documents may be placed should be a-
lozed and required to perform all the duties of the
nlied States surveyors general, until the public land
ysem shall have ceased to operate within the State and
that event, it suggested that he should be allowed
ONE compensation proportonate to the services which
nay be required of him. When the transfer was made TO
he authorities OF the State of Ohio OF all the pas and
vas understood and, indeed, such is the fact with
ew exceptions that all the surveys that State had been
chaly established the ground and completed Cases.
9wever, have arisen, where, from the lapse of time
blleated and others where represented that over
he whole part of township the lines of survey have
OF been actually run and established, notwithstanding
he land had been returned surveyed.
Persons desiring TO enter these lands, or those who
ave already purchased, occasionally apply TO have the
oundanes of the tracts surveyed The United States
rveyor general has not now the data on which to give
ne necessary instructions to his deputies; and if he had
is power legally to act in the matter since the transfer
lay well be doubted The State officer having the Gus
,dy OF the pats and documents has no authority in the
remsss and the department is without the ability to
the necessary control over such lands and is conse
genty unable to extend the relief which has been APP
he'd for
Eases also may arise where subdivisions of existing
lfNeys may be requisite 10 enable the land officers to
spose of tracts OF public lands but such subdivisions
ihhot De Legally cernhed and returned under existing
and hence further legislation, as sur,
ested, is necessary, and is now recommended
For details Of the surveying operations dnri,c tho a,
ear and those contemplated for the ensuing beg leave
refer TO the reports of surveyors general berewitb
ansrnted, marked l.
These documents show that the trust committed 10
lose officers appears to have been ably and faithfully ex
cuted and that all their operations the public interest
nd convenience of settlers the public domain have
cen constantly kept in view.
In conneXon with this subject ii emnently due not
My TO the surveyors general, but likewise to the local
and officers, that should bear testimony to the great
deity and zeal with which, generally, they have dis
harged the duties conded TO them, and to the prompt
ess and energy with which they have endeavored to
ave eihcacy TO the views and suggestions of this office
accomplishing the great objects OF its institution
Inc surveyor general Of Ohio reports that the provi-