The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-03

! The proposition of warrants used instead Of
purchase money in the ordinary sales will probi-
bly, absorb them in the three next ensuing years
and sooner if they take the place OF cash general
| ~ in the current sales. Until the bounty war
rants are exhausted, the receipts in cash from the
sales of the public lands must be comparatively
small.
The exploration and surveys of the mineral
lands of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio, are re-
ported to be in RAPID progress, and muth of the
land is now ready for market.
The public lands in Oregon California md
New Mexico are still without the control of the
Department; the creation of the office of Survey
err General, and the establishment of land offices
in those territories, is recommended. In CalifOr-
MIA, especially these Offices should be promptly
established, in order TO settle the many conflicting
titles that are in existence, of Mexican or Span
ish origin. that in no case shall the occupant OF
the soil suffer injury from its transfer to the Uni
ted States
This liberal consideration ought not, however,
to be extended to doubtful grants of positions on
the bays islands and head lands which, when ac-
qured, were known TO be necessary to the L nited
States sites for forts light houses, other oh
jects of national character. 1t is understood
that titles of some kind generally not valid with
out the confirmation of Congress. have been pro-
cured. and are claimed, to some Of these points,
which, if confirmed to and made the property of
individuals, must be purchased back at q very
large price The right of the United States to
such sites, where valid, ought to be at once as
serted and every spot necessary to the use of the
Government should he selected and separated
from the general mass of public lands, and re-
served from sale and from the operation of the
pre- empton laws, as they shall be extended TO
that TERRITORY
1t is understood that few of the larger grants
cover, TO some extent, the mines of gold and
quicksilver.
BY the laws of Spain these mines did not pass
by n grant of the land hut rcmanei in the Grown.
subject to be disposed OF according to such ordi-
nances aud regulations might be from time to
time adopted Any individual might enter upon
the land. of another to search for ores of the pre-
cious metals, and, having discovered mine, he
might register and thus acquire the right to work
it on Tayng to the owner the damage done TO the
surface--and to the Crown, whose property it
was, fifth or tenth, according to the quality Of
the mire. Ii the finder neglected to work, or
worked it imperfectly, it might be denounced by
any other person, whereby he would become en-
titled.
These ri shts Of the crown IN the dspositcs Of
saI a'ece passed by Spain TO Mexico 10 the Uni
ted States, and it viii, says the Secretary, rest
with Congress to determine whether, in those ca.
ses where lands duly granted contain gold, this
right shall be asserted or relinquished IL relic
pushed, il will require an express law 10 effect
the object and it retained legislation will he
necessary to provide mode by which it shall be
exercised.
Thus il appears tha, the .dcpositcs of gold
wbercyer found in the territory, are the property
of the United States. Those however, which are
known to exist upon the lands Of individuals are
of SIN n c imperative importance by far the larger
part being upon unclaimed public lands Still
our information respecting them is yet extremely
limited; what We know in general l., that they
are of great extent and extraordinary productive
ness, even though rudely wrought
The Secretary recommends that, in order that
these lands may be properly divided in mining
lots aud sold 80 10 Promote the interest of the
Government AS well rs those working them that
geological and mineralogical exploration shouli
be made in connection with the linear surveys
The division, exploration, and sale oithese mines
viii require much detail hutif promptly managed
may De noie source of considerable revenue. II
the United States sell the mineral lands for cash,
and transfer at once all title TO the gold which
they contain. hut very small part Of their value
will probably be realized. 1t would be better, in
my opinion, says the Secretary, to transfer them
by sale or lease, ,eserving part Of the gold col
leStei as rent or scignorage.
In connection with this recommendation. the
report further recommends the establishment Of
"A branch mint in California, and the right TO the
lands TO be conditional that the gold collected from
.he mine shall he delivered into the custody Of
officer of the branch mint,
So far as the surface depostes extend, am Of
opinion that leases will, for yet further reason,
be preferable to sales of the lands, Ii sold, they
will pass at once into the hands Of large capital