The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-04
THE REPUBLIC.
Annual Report OF the Commissioner OF the
General Land Ohice.


GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
November %, lS49.
SIR In submitting report Of this branch of the
public service it will not be inappropriate to
to the origin of title to vast public domain and
to the wise and admirable system devised for its
disposal The public lands belonging to the gene
raj government are situated
lst Within the limits f.the United States, as
defined by the treaty of 1888, which terminated the
revolutionary war, and are embraced by the States
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin,
and that part of Minnesota east OF the Mississippi
river; all of which have been formed out of the
northwestern territory, conveyed, with certain
reservations to the United States, by New York in
1851, by Virginia in 1854, Massachusetts in 1875,
and Connecticut in l7e6. Also, the lands within
the boundaries of the States of Mississippi and Ala
bama north Of the thirty first degree Of north lat-
tude, as conveyed to the United States by Georgia
in 1902.
I'd. Within the Territories of Orleans and Louis-
ana, as acquired from the French republic by the
treaty of lS03 including that portion of the States
of Alabama and Mississippi south Of the 3lst de-
gree of north latitude; the whole of the States of
Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri Iowa, and that por-
ton of Minnesota west of the Mississippi river; the
Indian territory; the district Of country called Me-
braska; the Territory of Oregon; and the region OF
country north of the forty second and south of the
forty-ninth degree Of north latitude which lies be-
tween Oregon and Minnesota.
Sd. Within the State of Florida, as obtained from
Spain by the treaty of 1919; and
4th. In New Mexico and California, as acquired
from the republic of Mexico by the treaty of 1S4S
Within the limits recognised by these treaties and
cessions, our public lands embrace an estimated
area, in round numbers, of fifteen hundred and
eighty -four millions of acres; of which, up to the
Both Of September, lS49 we had disposed of over
hundred and forty-six millions, and have, conse-
quently, remaining unsold area of fourteen HIM
dred and Mrtyeigb millions. These lands, in large
bodies detached tracts, are found in the States
and Territories mentioned, within our widespread
republic, stretching from the Atlantic ocean on
the east to the I.acifc the west, and from the
British possessions on the north to our southern
boundary, formed by the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio
Grande, the southern line Of New Mexico, the river
Gila to the Colorado, and thence by a line across
the latter TO point in the Pacific ocean marine
league south of the souhernmost point of the port
of San Diego.
After the eventful struggle which resulted in our
national independence, the establishment of sys-
tenn for the disposal of the public lands attracted
early attention. A committee for that purpose was
appointed by the Continental Congress- consisting
Of Messrs. jefferson, Williamson, Howell, Gerry,
and Reas, who, on the 7th of May, 1884, reported
Gan ordinance for ascerainng the mode of locating
and disposng of lands in the western territory and
for other purposes therein mentioned" The chair
man of the committee was Thomas Jefferson, OF
Virginia, then delegate in Congress.
This ordinance required the public lands TO be di-
vided into "hundreds" Of ten geographical mile5
square, and those again to be subdivded into lots
10
100, commencing in the northwestern corner, and
counting from west to east, and from east to west
continuously; and also that the lands thus subdi-
vided should be first offered at public sale
This ordinance was considered, debated, and
amended; and on the Sd of May, 1855, ON motion
of Mr.. Grayson, of Virginia, seconded by Mr..
Monroe, the size of the townships was reduced &c
six miles square. II was further discussed until
the 20th May, 1765, when it was finally passed
Our land system thus founded has gradually
20 box hoe
modified from time to time as the condition o
the country and the wants of the people required
This system, the work of our republican, fathers
so simple in Its theory and practice, 20 certain
and admirable in its results, is now operating upon
the organized land districts OF the United States
found in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mis-
souri,, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, and in the
newly formed Territory Of Minnesota-the lastmen
toned being conterminous on the south with tbs
State Of Iowa, and bounded on the north by the
10th degree Of latitude, which divides Il from Can
ada.
All public lands, before being offered for sale, are
accurately surveyed, by practical surveyors, IN
ranges Of townships Of six miles square; which
townships are subdivided into thirty-six sections
Of one mile square, each section generally contain
ing six hundred and forty acres. This subdivision
Is made by lines crossing each other at right
angles, and running 10 the cardinal points Of th'
compass.
The sections arc numbered from to 36, begin
ming at the northeast corner Of the township, anc
counting alternately from east 10 west, and from
west 10 east, and are again divided into quarters
Prior 10 1920, no person could purchase less than
quarter; but in that year legal authority giyer
for the division and sale Of the sections into cighths
and in 1882, further accommodation 70 settlers
they were divided into sixtcenthss or forty acrs
lots. The privilege Of having them thus minutely
snbdvded, was, by the act OF 1876, extended TO al
purchasers at private sale The corners OF town
ships, sections, and quarter sections, are dcsig-
mated by monuments established by the surveyors
in the field.
After the lands have been thus surveyed, they are
proclaimed by the President for sale and offered al
public auction, at not less than dollar and twenty
five cents per acre; and such thereafter remain
unsod subject 10 be purchased at private sale al
that rate.
As only small portion Of the lands thus offered is
disposed Of at the public sales, our citizens, ~
well emigrants from all parts Of the world, have
at all times an opportunity Of selecting and pur-
chasing at private sale rch and fertile tracts pos
sessinr every requisite for desirable farms.
The security Of titles enanating under this sys-
tenn has greatly contributed 10 the rapid settlement
Of the publ, '1nds The position OF all tracts Il
shown by the surveys ON the ground, in strict con-
formity with Legislative direction; 50 that even
when The monuments by which they are indicated
perish under the consuming influence Of time, they
can still be identified, and their boundaries deter
mined with unerring accuracy. In conveying
these lands % purchasers the brief designation by
the number OF \ lot, its position in the section,
with the number Of the section, township. and
range will as fully and certainly convey the title
az could BE- done by The most critical detail Of bound
aries and laborcd description Of courses and die
tances. This is fully shown by the fact, that al
though this system has been extended over hun
dreds Of millions Of acres, including every variety
Of soil and climate, and occupied by people from
almost every civilized nation Of the world, tiga-
ton az 10 boundaries has been inconsiderable as
10 place the superiority Of this national system in
striking contrast with those Of the elder States Of
the Confcderacy. Indeed, where there has been
litigation Il has been mainly caused by frauds,
and not by any defect in the plan Of operations.
In reviewing this subject in all its details, the
mind Is forcibly impressed with the sagacity and
foresight Of the great public men who organized
our institutions, and Who in this in all their pub
Hc acts, have left impcrishsble monuments Of pro
found wisdom, pure patriotism, and enlarged phi
lanthropy.
Under tthis system tho wilderness Of the West, in
less than hall century, has been transformed into
fruitful farms and filed with hourishing cities;
and settlers from the original States, and from all
parts Of Europe have there secured homes for their
Families and rich rewards for their industry.
Emierants from the North can find in Michigan,
Wisconsin, I1wa, and Minnesota, cline congo.
nial 10 their tcmperaments, and soil fruitful beyond
their most sancuinc expectations. Those from the
middle States and Central Europe, with compare
lively little labor can gather around them in
profsion every necessary and comfort of life, from