The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-04

by the typographical bureau. Application
cordingly made TO Col. Albert, the head of that
bureau, who detailed officer for this service,
which has been satisfactorily performed, and the
report of it will be communicated.
An item for completing the running and mark
ing of this boundary is submitted with our esti-
mates.
Under the act of I'd March, ls4s, .to aid the
State of Louisiana in draining the swamp lands
therein" the necessary instructions for the sur
veyor general were prepared, and copy OF them
| sent to the Governor of the State, that he might
| suggest such considerations as he deemed Just TO
the State before those instructions carried into
effect
No further action has been or can be taken in
lation to this grant, until the State shall have made
the necessary preparation to defray the expense of
| the examination thereby required, and the gov
ernor has apprized you of that fact When this
shall have been done, the business will be closed as
| early practicable.
| Under the resolution of the House of Representa-
tves Of 4th May, lS4s, several draughtsmen and
clerks have been employed by the Clerk of the
House of Representatives in preparing maps OF the
| several land States.
These maps have been reduced with skill and
care, from the official pats of the surveys returned
by the surveyor general to this office, and, when
completed will present full view of the public
lands, and the manner in which they have been dis
posed of Those of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Florida, are al
most finished; and those of Louisiana, Arkansas,
When finished, the private claims, school grants,
Indian reservations, military locations and sales
of the public lands, will severay be designated by
distinct color. To press on this business much
possible, the sales, grants, &C., have been taken
from the tract-books and noted in diagrams of
township plats, from which they colored on the
maps. This work has been one of immense labor
involving the examination and taking off about
million and quarter of cash and credit system en-
tries, and of all grants and donations of every kind
in fact, general review of the whole land bust
ness from its inception to the present time II is
highly important that the of information thus
| collected should be disseminated among onr citi-
zens and emigrants; and, to this end, it is sug-
gested whether would not be expedient to have
| legislation accordingly.
For tables showing in detail the operations of this
Office as considered in the foregoing report refer
ence is made TO the statements and tabular exhibits
herewith, (marked to N, inclusive.)
| Security of property is a great element of pros
perity in every country.
In assuming proprietary jurisdiction over our
new Territories, we should profit by experience
in the elder cessons which teaches the importance
of prompt, vigorous, and summary measures to
| separate public from private property--a proceed
ing indispensable to the public weal-a right de-
| manded by the high interests of OREGON, CALIFoR-
MA, and New MEXICO, in order that litigation and
confusion may be avoided, by placing their land
| titles at once upon proper and permanent basis.
| By the treaty concluded at Washington on the
9th of August, 1886 between the United States and
Great Britain, have expressly agreed to respect
the rights of the British Hudson Bay and Puget
Sound Agricultural Companies, and of all the Brit
| ish subjects within Oregon limits; and in the
act of Congress approved August 18th ylS4S to es-
ablish the territorial government of Oregon" Con-
gress have confirmed the title of limited area to
mission stations; have ordered after the lands in
the Territories shall be surveyed under the direc-
tons of the Government of the United States, that
the school reservation shall be extended to that Ter
ritory; and have enlarged that reservation to two
sections, viz: sections sixteen and thirty-sx, in
each township. By the same act Congress have an
nulled all laws of the provisional government max
ing grants, or otherwise encumbering the national
title. These governmental acts are but premi-
nary, and look TO further legislation, such is now
required in order to extend the Territories the
machinery Of our land system. That proper and
dehnitive adjustment may be had of the rights Of
property, IL will be necessary not only to respect
rights under treaty. but to recognise all old bona de
settlement claims to secure the in their i'm
provements, TO give them fee title in their lands
and to invite emigration by liberal donations to
those who will make that country their home-thus
| opening ii to enterprise, and taking a sure means
for developing its boundless agricultural resources
| as well as its mineral wealth.
Under the treaty, ratified on the 9TH July, lS4s
between the United States and the republic of Mexi-
CO, are bound, as q nation, to carry out in good
faith the intention of the governments of Spain and
Mexico, predecessors in sovereignty, In regard
| to land titles which have emanated from their law
full authorities TO private individuals New Mexico
| and California.
Our attention should be first directed toward.
California, owing TO the extraordinary current o.
events which has set in that direction The i'm
mense discoveries Of gold there its geographical
and other natural advantages in a commercial poin
Of view, have stimulated emigration to a degre,
wholly unprecedented in the history Of colonization
on this continent; and although il is but little over
one year since our title was defnitively acknowl-
edged 10 those Territories, people have iocked
by thousands, and are still rushing TO the Pacific
shores, the breast Of the continent by the
Panama isthmus, and around Cape Horn, until
already, with sufficient population, they are pre-
pairing erect themselves into a sovereign State
| and 20 seek admission for it a member of the
4 American Confederacy. Notwithstanding more
than three-quarters Of century had elapsed since
| the Spaniards undertook make establishments
and strengthen their political power in Upper Cali
fornia, by founding missions beginning with that
Of San Diego, in 1861 and by extending private
settlements, we received the country with Ineagre
and thinly scattered population Within the brief
period since our acquisition we have already there
az If by talismanic power all the teeming elements
| Of active life and civilization. An indomitable
highly intelligent, and cnterprsing population,
mainly composed Of our own people, are there bu-
silly employed in laying deep and broad the founda-
tons Of our republican institutions on the Pacific
shores, and while thus employed. are turning their
eyes eastward to the Legislative department Of our
National Government, expecting from il that wise
legislation by which the public interest in this new
region will be properly consulted, by disposing in
minute lots, land Astounding I'm mineral products
as well by speedily throwing open, according u
our present sectional and subdivisional sectiona
allOtfncnt, the PUBIC lanus adaped 70 Agricultural
purposes, that every citizen may have an oppor.
tunty Of purchasing freehold, and that all valid
titles there, which existed under the government
Of Spain and Mexico, may be recognized and re.
cured TO the lawful proprietors.
In extending TO this territory tho United State,
system Of surveys, and erecting land districts
with local Offices for the sale Of the public lands, II
is measure Of the first importance that some Judi
cious plan be adopted by which private property
may be properly discriminated, and severed from
the public lands In order that in system Of sell
ing we may avoid conflict with private rights, By
disposing q only such land e fully ascertainoc
TO be public property.
To obtain information az 10 the system that ex
sted before the late change Of government, in dis
posing oflands in Upper California, such MATERIAL
have been examined at this Office within
reacb-particularly the report, in March, 1919
from the military officer, acting Secretary o
State Of tho Territory Of California.
From that report, which is replctc with usefu
information and interesting details, find tina
the land system which grew up under the auspce
Of Old Spain and Mexico docs not rest upon loose
uncertain, unwrittcn data but IL founded upon
written orders, regulations, and DEGREES, which
| from time 10 time have been promulged; begin