Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-11-07
Circular.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, INDIANAPoLIs, IND,
October 80, 1850.
To the County Surveyors Of the several Counties Of the

Executive DEPARTMENT, INDIANAPOLIS, IND,
October 80, 1850.
To the County Sregors of the several Counties of the
State of Indiana.
BY act OF Congress passed at the last session.
titled An act to enable the State of Arkansas and 9TH
States, TO reclaim the srap lands within her limits
approved Sept %, 1885, copy of which is hereunto
annexed the State of Indiana entitled large guam
y of unsold lands within her limits, for the purposes
mentioned in said act
On the 10Th day of October, opened correspond
with the Secretary of the Interior this subject
and believing that further sales of public lands
should take place unless the Department would establish
appropriate restrictions that would protect the wet
and uncultivated lands from sales AT the same tme
wrote to the Hon. Richard w. Thompson, at Washing
ton, requesting him to call in person upon the Depart
ment of the Interior and present the views held upon
the subject OF the rights of the State under this act
and the proper mode to be pursued to carry out its pro-
visions.
This day received the following answer from Mr..
Thompson and concur fully in the views he takes
the proper mode TO be pursued the present hour
and the construction of the act, that annex it
also
You respectfully requested the receipt Of this
circular upon and to make out and forward to
me- under the forms herewith sent, statement OF these
lands in your county.
Tn some of the counties there are but few tracts OF
these lands and the labor can be accomplished
In other counties where there is great quantity OF
wet and uncutvated lands you requested to obtain
assistance from Your deputies.
Ii is very important to have your reports OF these
lands by the 18th of December at farhest that the pat
ents may be made by the General Government, and
thus the ensuing sessions of the Legislature may pass
such laws required to carry out the spirit oil the
act of Congress-
Should YOU ascertain in your examination, that any
entries have been made of these lands since the 28th
Sept last, please note the same in your report.
If you do not enter upon this labor you will please to
lay these papers before the County Auditor, who is
spectully requested to call meeting of the county
board Immediately that they may appoint some compe-
tent person. that will enter upon these dnes without
delay The Legislature will no doubt provide the prop
er remedy for your compensation. YoI will carefully
observe the rules suggested by Mr. Thompson. in the
lection of the lands, they to be gathered from
the past practice of the Government in similar grants
II further instructions received YOU will be furnish
ed with same, but you will delay making the
lcctons Immediately under this order.
The issue of land warrants large portion OF these
lands adjoining good farms, the fact that they will be
under the disposal of the State authorities, al
these combine to make them the object of private
entry And it is very important to prevent this, thai
the State may have difficulty with the General Gov
ernmen and that she may hold them for the wise pupos
es mentioned in the act.
will furnish Won the 'slsts and plats of the land
that will be forwarded to me by the Department under
this act so soon as received which am looking for daily
You will call upon your Auditor and obtain list of the
unsod lands your county, before you commence ope
rations.
Your prompt and energetic action is respectfully call
cd to the selection of these lands.
Very respectfully, yours &C.,
JOSEPH A. WRIGHT.