The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-04
naries, seats of government county seats, and in

nares seats OF government, county seats, ana IN
ternal improvements
The philanthropic intention of the grant for school
purposes is, however, frequently frustrated by the
10th section falling upon swamps or vaueless tracts;
and therefore recommend that the proper author
ies in such cases. be authorized to substitute other
lands II may also be worthy Of the consideration
Of Congress, whether it would not be proper even
to enlarge the school grant by additional allot-
ment in each township.
As a further inducement to settlement, and to
protect the enterprising occupant from the cupdi-
ty of those disposed TO enrich themselves by obtain
ing his Improvements, laws have been passed from
time TO time granting presumption rights TO actual
settlers. These laws were limited to brief periods,
and retrospective in their operation, until the
act of 4th September, l641 passed. establishing
a permanent prospective presumption system. That
act has securedto thousands a home for themselves
and their families. The provisions of it, however,
requiring settlers to file notice Of settlement and Of
intention to enter, have led to great abuse. Where
settlement is made lands subject to private en-
try, an individual, by fling notice OF the fact,
and declaration of his intention Of entering, has
twelve months allowed him in which to complete
his purchase, to the exclusion Of all other appli
cants; and where the settlement is made on land
not subject to private entry, he can, by filing a
similar notice, purchase it at any time before the
day appointed by the Presidents proclamation for
the commencement of public sales which would in
clude it. Spectators have heretofore availed them
selves Of this privilege, merely for the purpose of
despoiling lands OF timber-experience having
proved that not three in hundred of such notices
have been followed by actual sales-the parties
generally moving off, about the time their rights
expire, to other lands, which, under similar pro-
cess, are also despoiled To correct this abuse, it
is suggested that the act of l64l be SO amended as
to require settlers, in addition to notice. to make
oath of their intention to enter, and to prove that
they have, in good faith, made the settlement and
improvement required by law. Such legislation,
il is believed. would prevent existing abuses, and
extend every requisite facility to bona de actual
settlers.
With an industrious population, possessing ex
traordinary ingenuity, country, II is believed
would soon stand foremost among the nations Of
the earth, if suitable rewards held out by the
government for important Improvement IN agri-
culture and the arts and sciences This could be
done by the appropriation, for the purpose, of
small portion Of the proceeds of the public lands
1t would be no more than act of justice TO nu-
merous and highly valuable body of our citizens.
Commerce and manufactures, TO a greater or
less extent, have been fostercd by this Government;
whilst agriculture, mechanics, and the arts and sci
ences, though equally important, have been COM
paratively neglected.
To the perseverance and ingenuity of our citi-
zens the world is indebted for discoveries which
have advanced civilization, and augmented the sum
Of human happiness; opening fields of investigation
and research, which may lead to results beyond the
expectations of philosophy
The successful application Of steam TO the pur-
poses of navigation the result of American genius
has produced new era in the world. 1t requires
only proper encouragement to develop the bound
less resources of our country, in mind and matter,
and to lead to results equally important in every
In disposing of the public lands, difficulties have
arisen in regard TO the mode Of selling "reserva-
tions'' which had been made for military or naval
purposes, and were afterwards relinquished as no
longer necessary
BY the act of Sd March, 1919, the War Depart
ment is charged with the sale (and in some cases
it has exercised the power Of disposing) Of useless
military sites.
II is often the case that large tracts, which had
been originally reserved for naval timber, or the
accommodation Of troops, arc found, upon being
released from reservation, 20 be no more valuable
than other portions of the public lands
To require the War Department to make special
sale Of abandoned military reserves would involve
unnecessary expense and trouble; and 10 declare
them, when released from reservation, subject "a
existing laws for selling public lands, would be in
expedient, as, in that case, pre-emption claims
might attach 10 valuable improvements made by
the Government at a cost Of thousands Of dollars.
therefore recommend that authority be given tc
this Office 10 bring all lands Of this class into
ket, subject 10 such rules may be prescribed
for that purpose, with the appreciation OF the Sec
retary.
Under legal provisions Of this character, tract.
| ON which there are no Improvements could be sold
as other public lands; and those on which build
ings have been erected might be disposed Of under
special orders, as TO obtain for the Government
the highest market value.
Sales Of the mineral lands on Lake Superior, in
nation requisite under the act Of let March, ls47
That act provided that geological explorations and
surveys should be made, and that lands, reported
as containing valuable mineral, should be sold un.
der special regulations, and at increased minimum
price. Partial returns only had been received
after two years explorations and in order that this
service might be brought 10 close I'm reasonable
time, the direction Of II was intrusted TO other
hands.
From the reports of Messrs. Foster and Whitney,
the geologiss now in charge Of this district. IL ap
pears that they have extended their researches dur
ing the past season great part Of the Lake
Superior district, and have collected mass Of in
formation, respecting that region, which will pro
mote settlement, and be highly interesting 20
science.
DIR. ID. ID. Owen, the geologist in charge Of Wis.
consn and Iowa, under the act Of 81 March, 1877
has almost completed the survey Of he district,
having extended his researches 20 the northern
boundary Of the United States, and far into the
western territory, in advance OF the white settle
ments His reports have enabled this Office 10 bring
lands in that district into market fast they
have been surveyed, in accordance with the pro-
visions Of law and have saved 10 the Government
probably as much az the whole expense Of explora-
ton, by preventing the survey Of large barren and
valuclcss tracts.
The mineral lands in these regions, in conse-
quence Of the yield Of valuable ores from some OF
the mines there discovered have attracted the atten
ton of capitalists in this country and in Europe;
and by the establishment Of liberal policy in rela-
ton 10 them, all Of any value would be soon dis
posed Of. This course should be pursued for many
reasons.
These lands are difficult Of access, and, for the
greater part Of every year, shut in by mpassa-
bic barriers Of zee and snow. The working Of
them, consequently, very expensive and attended
with fatigue and privation. In order 10 procure a
good location, in most cases. the miners must pur-
chase acres Of worthless lands, even II they enter
the smallest legal subdivision The great object 10
be effected s 10 have those lands perfectly explored,
their mines thoroughly worked, and their products
fully developed. To do this, those engaged in this
business must purchase the land, and, at a very
heavy expenditure Of time and money, prepare the
necessary accommodations, and make their exanni-
nations n the first attempt fail, another must be
made, or the whole be abandoned. and the expendi-
ture lost
Five dollars per acre, the present minimum, is
not full equivalent for land containing valuable
mine; and IL certainly is too much Tor waste or
barren lands in that inhospitable region.
y While the minimum, then, is thus kept up, many
doubtless are unwilling 10 risk purchases At the
high rate fixed and the subsequent outlay necessa-
~ 10 work the lands.
The amount Of money derived from sales Of min
era lands is inconsiderable in importance, when
compared with the benefit conferred ON the com
munity by large yield Of copper and other vslu-
y. IL a.