Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-18
RESTS, or the DEGREES of the Mexican govern


ment.
A superficial view of the matter would be very
apt to lead to the suppostion that the Jesuits,
celebrated for wisdom and cunning, would not
tail 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 limitations to that effect, but nothing is
distinctly known. These missions embrace with
in their limits some of the most valuable lands In
the Territory, and 1t is very Important that It
should be ascertained whether they belong to the
Government, or may justly be claimed 10y lnci-
vidusls.
Most of the land fit for cultivation south OF lat
ltude 80 , , aud west of the valley of the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin, Is claimed under, what
purport to be, grants from the Mexicin uoVefh-
ment.
On most of these grants the minerals and met
ais are reserved 10 The Government-concitio
were coupled with many Of them which nave not
been complied with. In others, the boundaries
described embrace two or three times ss much
land as The grant conveys.
The Mexican law required all grants made by
the Provisional Government, with Few excep-
tons, to be confirmed by the Supreme Govern
ment. The great distance which separated
them, and the unirequent or difficult means OF
communication, made a compliance with the law
so expensive ald ,ardy, that it came to be almost
disregarded.
There were other causes which led to this
neglect.
Previous to the treaty with Mexico and the
immigration of AMERICAN citizens to that coun-
try. land was not regarded as of much value
except for grazing purposes There was room
enough for all. Therefore the claimants or pro-
prietors did not modest each other. or inquire IN
10 The validity o: titles.
These extensive grants are described ny nain .
raj boundaries, such as mountains, pays ana
pronontories, which, ID many instances, might
allow Of variation of several allies IN Tue eS-
Establishment of corner with chain and compass.
Bv the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Unl-
ted States purchased all the rights and interests
of Mexico 10 and in California. This purchase
not only embraced all the lands which had not
been granted BY Mexico, but all the reserved
minerals and metals, and also the revisionary
rights which might accrue to Mexico from a
wan. of compliance on the part OF The grantees
with the conditions OF their grants, Or icdnt o.
perfection IN the grants.
Ii will be perceived that this is subject OF
very great IMPOTENCE not only 10 the people OF
California but to tie United States, and calls Tor
prompt and efficient action on the part OF the
Government. 1t is believed that the appoint
ment of competent Commissioners, iuy c'iipow-
cred TO investigate these titles, IN spirit OF
kindness toward the claimants, with power TO
confirm such titles as justice may seem 10 &C.
mand, OF with Instructors 10 report iher pro-
ceedings and awards to Congress, for conirn'a
ton or rejection, will be the best and perhaps the
only satisfactory mode of adjusting this complex
and difficult question.
The lands in the northern part of the Terrific
nv. above the 80 :. have not been explored or
granted. They are supposed to embrace an ID
rea OF about twenty million OF acres, large por-
ton of which is doubtless valuable for its timber
and soil.
Comparatively few grants have been obtained
in The great valley OF the Sacramento ami San Jo-
aqun. This vast tract, thereorec obtaining, as
is estimated, from II to ID millions Of acres, be-
longs mostly 10 the Government. South OF tbs
valley, and west OF the Colorado, within the lin
lis of California, as indicated IN her Constitution,
there ale SAID 10 be extensive tracts OF valuable
nnapproprlated land, and on investigation 1t viii
probably appear that there are many of them IN
detached bodies. which have not been granted.
| do not speak of the gold region, embracing
the entire foot hills Of The Sierra Nevada, some
500 miles long and 60 miles broad, In connexlor
with the public domain, which may be embraced
10 the general land system for sale and settle
ment, for reasons which will be hereafter assign
ed.
The survey of tn. Public Lands on system
suited TO the interests of the country is matter
of very great importance. In the inhabited por
tious of the terrifory the boundaries of Mexican
grants, running as they do IN ali directions, wall
render the system o. surveys by parallels OF lat-
tude and longitude quite inpraciicable.
In all parts OF the country irrigation is desna-
bic and It's benefits should be secured as far as
possible by suitable surveys and legal regula
lions. Most of the valleys are walered by streams
sufficiently large to be rendered very useful. Ii
would, therefore, wise 10 lay off the land III
conformity 10 the conrse of the hills and streams
which bound and drain the valleys.
4 system of drainage, which would also Sc
cure irrigation, is absolutely necessary t. give
value 10 the great plains OF the Sacramento and
San Joaquin. THIS valley is so extensive and
level that if the rivers passing through 1t were
never TO overflow their banks, the rain which fails
IN " inter would render greater portion o! IL
unfit for cultivation. The foundation of sucn
system can only be established 10 the survey and
sale of the land
This can be done by laying out canals and
drains al suitable distances, aud in proper direc
lions and tearing tciGe margins TO the riuers that
hey may haze plenty Of 10 increase thar
channels ,rhen their uaters shall be confined rithia
them By entertainments.
| 1t would be well also 10 regulate the price oil
| these lands 10 meet, In some degree, the
expense Of draining Them.
This system would, when agriculture shall be-
come pursuit IN California, make this valley
one Of The most beautiful and productive portions
OF the Union.
tConctuded merit treek-)