The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-09
S3,562,04l 81

Total acres. g, SIS, ,36642 $3,562,0n %
From this statement il will be perceived that the
aggregate amount of land disposed of in lS49,
considerably exceeds that of lS4S. There is a fall
ing of in the current fiscal year, caused probably
by emigration TO the Pacihc-the extensive rescr
vations for the railroad from Chicago to Mobile,
and the fact that most Of the military warrants have
been located and the State selections disposed Of
Since the last annual report, six millions OF
acres of lands have been brought into market, and
about seven millions now prepared for sale,
and will be offered carly in the ensuing season.
Various opinions have been formed and ex-
pressed of the cost of the public lands, and Of
veying, selling, and managing them, in compari-
son with the revenue derived from them.
That this matter may be correctly understood,
and the value Of these lands source of revenue,
be properly appreciated, beg leave TO state that
by careful examination, 1t Is asccrtainCd that
the entire area Of the public domain, exclusive Of
the lands in Oregon, California, New Mexico,
Utah, the Indian and Nebraska Territories, wac
424 ,l03,750 acres.
About one-fourth OF this land has
been sold, and the purchase money
received for il amounts to........ Sl3j, ,339,0 ,092
The cost Of the whole these lands,
including the amount paid 10
France Tor louisiana, 10 Spain
for tho Floridas, and amount paid
for extinguisLing the Indian ttle,
wOs................. S6l,l2l5l7
portion only Of these
lands has been sur
vcycd, the cost Of
which, including sal
aries of surveyors gen
cral aud clerks, and
expenses attending the
surveys, was........ 6,J69,s3s
Less than bali the land
surveyed has been
sold, aud the whole
cost Of ceiling and
managing the same,
including every
pensc not previously
charged, 7.Ibb.3lI
Aggregate outlay Of every kind. 7l,957,s79
Nett profit to the Government. S6O,3sI, ,2I3
or an average Of nearly ono million and quarter
Of dollars annually, for the last fifty years.
II 10 this should he added, the value, at s 25 per
acre of the land granted i'm bOuntcs for military
services, and for internal improvements, donations
&c, IL would amount 10 nearly double this
This will be more fully appreciated when Il v un-
dcrstood that the average cost 90 the Government
Of acquiring title ~ the public lsnds, including the
cXungushincnt OF the Indian title, IL u al cents
per acre do Of survey 207 cents per acre DO. Of
selling aud managing, b 30. Total average cost
u 4-5 cents per acre, while for each sOld tho
Government gcts S l 25-lOO, net profit over
and above every cost and expense, Of Sl.O3 l-5
per acre.
The whole force Of tho Office has been actively
and vigorously employed in discharge Of the
oncrous duties growing out Of is current business
The quarterly accounts Of the receivers of public
moneys, both as receivers and disbursing agents,
have all been adjusted TO, and including the third
quarter Of tho current calender year. The sales,
selections, locations, &c. have nearly all been ad
justcd, posted, aud entered up 10 the same period
and the issuing Of the patents for sales, private
grants donations, and military bounty lands, has
been pressed forward M rapidly as the means
placed at our disposal for that purpose would per-
init. Numerous suspensions Of land entries, in
nearly all the diysiOns of tho Office Of which
for years have produced much difficulty and cor
rcspuudcnCc have lucn taken up and Ill s.)uscd of
and the current duties have been discharged with
coIumendablo diligence.
There has been material I'M reasc la the general
business of the Office, consequent upon the claims
90 lands for military services.
This increase ariscs not only from examination
Of the warrants aud assignments, and the carrying
of the locations by crossing clerks into patents
bot from the additional duties connected with those
claims, which arc devolved upon tho accountants
and book keepers OF the several divisions of the
Office in charge of the sales Of tho public lands In
those divisions all military bounty land locations
are compared with the tract books Of sales in order
TO determine whether they correct in desgns-
tion, aud free from interference after which there
is permanent registry made in thoso books Of such
locations in order 10 show the manner in which the
located tracts have been disposed Of and to arrest
hereaftcrs further disposal Of them, and thus pre-
vent conflict Of title.
During tho pact year ,2l5 Mexican bounty land
claims have been examined. and carried into pa
tents, the whole of which have been forwarded di-
rect TO the parties entitled aud several thousand
more are nearly ready for transmission.
The whole number Of Mexican warrants Issued
and transmitted TO this Office is IS $50, Of which