Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-05-02

CALIFORN MA.

CALIFORNIA.
REPORT OF HON. T. BUTLER KING.
I'll III a tcoxcLuDED.l t .
PUBLIC DOMAIN. .asr
The extent and value Of the public lands,
suitable for agricultural purposes in Cali
fornia, cannot be ascertained with any de-
gree Of accuracy until some very impor-
tant preliminary questions shall have been
settled.
Il is not known whether the Jesuits
who founded the mission, or their success
sors, the Franciscans, ever did, or do
now hold any title from the Spanish crown
TO the lands which they occupied. Nor
has any investigation been made to ascer-
tain, how far those titles, il they ever ex-
listed, have been invalidated by the acts Of
the priests, or the DEGREES of the Mexi-
can government. .....0s
A superficial view Of the matter would
be very apt to lead 10 the supposiiion that
the Jesuits, SO celebrated for wisdom and
cunning, would not fail to secure that
which, at that time, would probably have
been obtained by merely asking for ia
royal decree, granting TO them all the lands
they might require in that remote country
for ecclesiastical purposes. There have
been some intimations to that effect, but
nothing is distinctly known. These mis-
sions embrace within their limits some of
the most valuable lands in The Territory.
and it is very important that it should be
ascertained whether they belong TO the
Government, or may be justly claimed by
individuals.
Most Of the land, fit for cultivation,
south Of latitude 39o, and west OF the val
ley of the Sacramento and San Joaquin,
is claimed under, what purport to be,
grants from the Mexican government.
On most Of these grants the minerals
! and metals are reserved 10 the govern
ment-conditions were coupled with
many Of them which have not been COM
piled with. In others, the boundaries de-
scribed embrace two or three times as
much land as the grant conveys.
The Mexican law required all grants
| made by the provisional government, with
few exceptions, to be confirmed by the
Supreme government. The great dis
tance which separated them, and the nn-
| frequent or difficult means OF commnnica-
tion, made q compliance with the law so
expensive and tardy, that il came to be al
| most disregsrded.
The,e were other causes which led to
this neglect.
/ Previous to the treaty with Mexico and
the immigration Of American citizens 10
that country, land was not regarded as Of
much value, except for grazing purposes.
There was room enough for all. There
fore the claimants or prcprietors did moi
modest each other, or inquire into the va
| liaity Of titles.
| These extensive grants are described by
natural boundaries, such as mountains,
bays, and promontories, which, in many
instances, might allow OF variation of sew
eral miles in the establishment Of cor
ner with chain and compass.
! BY the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
the United States purchased all the rights
and Interests OF Mexico TO and in Califor-
MA. This purchase not only embraced all
the lands which had moi been granted by
Mexico, but all the reserved minerals and
metals, anL also rever>ionary rights which
might accrue to Mexico from want ol
compliance on the part OF the grantees
with the conditions of their grants, or q
,rant ofpertection IN the grants.
1t will be perceived that this is a sub
/ ject OF very great importance, not only
to the people Of California, but TO the
United States, and calls for prompt ant
efficient action on the part Of the Govern
ment. It's believed ,ha, the appointment
Of competent commissioners. fully empow
cred to investigate these titles. in a spiri
OF kindness towards the claimants, Will
power 10 confirm such titles as justice may
seem to demand, or with instructions I,
report their proceedings and awards t
Congress, Tor confirmation or rejection
will be the best and perhaps the only sat
isiac,ory mode OF adjusting this compile,
and difficult question.
/ The lands In the northern part Of th'
Territory, above the 39o, have not beel
explored or granted. They are supposed
to embrace an area Of about twenty mil
lions Of acres, large portion Of which i
doubtless valuable for its timber and soil
Comparatively few grants have beef
obtained in the great valley Of the Sacra
nento and San Joaquin. This vast tract
therefore, containing, as is estimated, from
twelve 10 fifteen millions OF acres, belong
mostly TO the Government. South Of 'hi
valley, and west of the Colorado, within
the limits of California, as indicated i'll he
| constitution, there are said 10 be extensive
tracts OF valuable unappropriaed land, ant
on investigation it will probably appea
that there are many Of them in detached
bodies, which have not been granted.
| do not speak Of the gold region, EN-
bracing the entire foothills Of the Sierr;
Nevada, some five hundred miles long ant
sixty miles broad, in connexion with th'
public domain, which may be embraced il
the general land system for sale and set
Element, for reasons which win be here
after assigned.
The survey Of the public lands, on
system suited to the interests Of the coun
try is matter Of very great Importance
In the inhabited portions Of the Territor.
the boundaries of Mexican grants, run
ming as they do in all directions, will ren