The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-09
= Exclusive of Chickasa W lands.

Thus il is shown that, in few years, the surveys
Of the public lands in all these States will be com
pleted and the archives connected Herewith trans
ferred to the respective States provided by law
The object in pressing forward the surveys has
been 10 keep pace with settlement, and 10 enable
cnterprisng pioneers 10 avail themsevos of the ben
Gifts Of the prc-emption act Of ls4l, which in
press terms excludes all persons who settle =
surveyed lands.
Where the surveys have been carefully and cor
rectly executed II Is but seldom that resurvey is
necessary, and hence no further expenditure in
this branch Of the service lie required.
Much embarrassment has been experienced in
determining the location and survey of private
claims, especially in Florida and Louisiana; but,
under the judicious direction Of tho gene
raj Of those States, the difficulty a great extent
hrs been removed. In Florida most Of the private
elaine have been located and surveyed, and the
work appears 20 have been done in n manner gen
orally acceptable. During the present season II IL
expected that the remainder Of the private claias,
and most If not all, ofthe public lands Of any value
outside the se ennoe reservation, in this State, will
bc surveyed.
In Louisiana the rcsurvcys in the Groonsburg
district, authorized by the act Of 29th August ls42
have been prosecuted with great diligence under
the judicious and skilfu direction Of the surveyor
general, and many of the erroneous and fraudulent
surveys In that district, which had materially re-
tsrdod public business for yesrs, aud proved a
source Of embarrassment and annoyance, have
been corrected.
Every effort has been made by the surveyors GO.
oral, and this office, to prevent errors aud frauds
in tho public surveys; and for tine purpose strin-
gent regulations have been adopted, and explicit
Instructions issued.
Notwithstanding these precautions, IL has re-
Gently been discovered that in Of the surveys
executed many years ago, especially in the north
crn part Of the southern peninsula Of Michigan,
errors and frauds were committed, and a few OF
like character nrc Of more recent occurrence.
Thesc evils cannot be wholly romcdicd by exist
ing legislation or instructions. They are caused
by the want of skill or integrity on the part Of the
and IN pplv he tod bxy a,a arff
survollancein the field for which, aud the expenses
attending H. there is authority Of law; by the
employ Of such deputy surveyors only ne arc
of unimpeacbablo character and high scientific
atisinmcnts Since the discovery Of the errors and
frauds alluded 20, special nstructions have been
despatched 20 the surveyors general 10 employ
none but such ss are Of tried integrity. and
unquestionabc abilities, and additional regulations
have been adopted In regard TO their Bonds in
order 10 insure, ne far a. pOIsihle reimbursement
Go the Government NJ thc surveys, now in progress
Of csecution. should not como up 10 the require
mcpts of The Department. Tho nost certain pre-
ycntive, hyscscr II this difficulty would bc 20
tend the provisions of the act Of 30th Septcmbcr r
last, ~ - autlorizc, in all cases, judicious
combination II the gcodcic with our present ad-
rnirsblc rcCiangular system Of surveys. by this
proccss the work of each deputy will be n check
upon the others. ard any error will necessarily
lead 10 examination and detection. The exact
geographical position Of hll important objects will
be determined, and the principal Typographical
and geological features Of the country ascertaincd
and reported.
All this can readily be accomplished without ma
terislly rotsrding the progress Of the surveys or
increasing their oosts by the employment Of com.
pctent surveyors, and the use Of proper instru-
ncnts.
To secure tho services Of such persons fair com.
pcnsstion should be allowed and in order to ensure
uniformity in the work, IL has been concluded IA
procure suitable instruments, and 90 disposc ol
them 10 the deputies, at prime cost, including
portstion, rescrying The right Of repurchasc.
Should deputy leave the service for any Cause
thosc instruments can be purchased from him by
the Surveyor General, at such reduction from tho
cost may appear fair second hand instru-
mcnts, and cold 10 bis successor at the same rate
To carry out these views, an item has been intro
duced into the estimates, for which an appropra
ton Is recommended. This system would seeu
to be specially adapted TO our borders on the Pa.
c6c, so far as the general features Of that section
have been ascertaincd. The elevated and striking
objects, presented by the bold outlines OF the noun
tains, would be admirable points with which Il