Holly Springs gazette., 1850-01-18
FRIDAY, JANUARY is, 1850.

could consult our own interest exclusive
ly in the disposition Of them, ,then the epol-
icy ofselling them at low prices, SO as to
insure speedy settlement and cultiva-
ton Of them. would meet with my cordi-
al approval believe, however, that
not only the interests of the State, but OF
the United States, will be best promoted
by graduation of the price of these
lands, and recommend such gradual re-
duction, from time to time, as in your
wisdom may be proper, with due re-
gard to allthe interests involved, giving
pre- -emptionaightsto actual settlers Vat
the graduated price.
Owingto5onhictng claims ofpre emp
tors, a large portion of the locations
heretofore faade have been rejected,pro-
Jucing deficit Of about 10000 acres.
lhave app SsRssst commissioners to locate
other lands Nmake up this deficit, who
are no operforming the duty assigned them,
and, from intrmation received, it is hoped
the worked will soon be accomplished.
Ofthe Chickasaw School Lands, only
9s4 $500 acres has been disposed ofby
lease Of ninety-nine years, provided
for by the act Of the last session of the
legislature. The proceeds Of the lease a
mount to S4,5l3 304 Three oil the
tracts are leased, under special proyi-
sion for thatpurpose, at S2 so per acre;
and four other tracts--the residue dis
posed ol--at $6 90 per acre. Had the
law authorized the lease Of these lands,
and the sale of the States lands by small
le subdivisions than quarter sections, a
much larger quantity might have been
disposed OF, and recommend such a.
mendnent of the law as, at least, topper
nit fractional sections to be offered sep
arately.
Extensive depredations have been and
still are, committing on the valuable tim
Der OF the State and Chickasaw School
Lands. have endeavored to suppress
these lawless acts, by despatching agents
to the scene OF depredations, but their
efforts have been attended with but little
success. The destruction OF the timber
is still going and the agents have been
set at defiance. In some instances they
have been notified that their safety de-
pended upon speedily leaving the place
The law, as it now exists,is found wholly
insufficient to protect the interests OF the
State in that quarter; and recommend
that the Executive be authorized to ap-
point one or more agents of the State, t1
remain on the ground, and that severe
penalties be annexed to convictions tol
the commission ofthese offences.
Ifthe Rolioy Of continuing to receive
bonds al, spans, in payment for thu
; lands granted TO the State for purposes
Of internal improvement, should NEE
your appreciation, a considerable portion
!, of the surplus revenue now in the, treas
: ury, in anticipation of the proceeds o
;, these lands, may, think, be safely ap
, piled to works otthat character, as con
templated in the donation The clearing
+, of our rivers from snags, logs, ant
/, hanging timber, and the construction o
a levee on the Mississippi river for thu
8 reclamation aud protection Of the land
= of the States, and ofour citizens, demand
y the speedy and earnest attention oil tn
\ legislature. The most equitable scheme
- in my judgment, for eifecting the latte
: Improvement, is a tax upon the lands o
= :, the river counties, founded on assessment
= of the lands of the State, as well as @
those belonging to individuals, by which
: the State and the citizens interested shal
= mutually bear their respective portions Q
the expense.
e The annual report Of the Commission
|. ers of the Southern Railroad has not yc
= been received. am advised, however
that the road will be completed to Bran
n don, a distance of fourteen and a ha
n miles, in few weeks. So soon as thi
e report is received it will be presented t
i the legislature.
Should you determine to commence
Il system of internal improvement, it will
&c think, be indispensable to ajudicious eS
1t ppnditure in its prosecution, to authorlz
r the immediate appointment of a Boar
= of Internal Improvement, and a State LII
t. gineer, with one or more assistants,
e make surveys and estimates of sue
% works as may be authorized, preparation
a to the application Of the funds 20 be e,
d pended IN their construction, and to 81
n perintend the same during their progress
d The important results and extenslv
al benefits derived from geological survey
|. in several States, and the discovtrie
IL made in the vicinity of this city by g
le ological society formed few month
,e since, have strongly impressed my min
n with the importance Of a Geological SUI
,e vey Of this State. In Alabama, surve
to has commenced, Under the patronage
,e the University ofthe State; and, althoug
,e the work is barely commenced, larg
Id mines OF bitpminous coal, Of exceller
At quality; quarries of beautifully variegf
,e ted marble, supposed to be inexhaust
Of BILE; extensive beds Of iron ore, and sex
st eral other valuable minerals, have bee
w discovered. Similar results have after
e. dcd survey of Tennessee; and the q
g most incaIculable advantages derive
N from geological surveys ofVirgiLia, Mary
HI Docu., ,ls,ania and other States al