Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-01-24

Messrs. roster and whitney have been
prepared or are in state of prepara.
tion. They contain much valuable in.
formation in regard 10 these lands. par.
ticularly in reference to the country
lying around Lake Superior, including
the rich deposits of native copper on
Isle Royal and Keeneenaw Point.
No provision has yet been made to
extend the laws for the sale of public
lands in Oregon, California and New
Mexico. This ought 10 be done, and
to carry into effect the negotiations
with Indian tribes claiming lands, it
will be necessary to establish land off
ces in convenient districts, and to ere.
ate the Office of Surveyor General n
each of these territories. Titles in the
hands of British subjects remain to be
adjusted in Oregon. which it is suppn-
sed the territorial judges can settle. In
consideration of the hardships endured
by the early immigrants to Oregon. il
is recommended tina, some generous
provisions be made for them.
The territory of New Mexico has
long been settled, and portions of the
land in that territory are held by titles.
granted by Spain. or by Mexico since
her separation from the Spanish mon
archy. 1t will be necessary to es,ab.
lish a judicial commission to examine
and settle these titles, so far as they are
subject TO doubt or controversy. A
large portion Of them is. it is believed
of ancient date and evidenced by long
and uninterrupted occupancy.
In California, srch commission will
be more especially necessary. Many
of the older grants in that territory, of
considerable extent, have been resumed
by the sovereign authority, and are now
held under new grants, which require.
examination. Many important and
commanding points are claimed under
very recent grants of a questionable
character; and but part of the public
records were, at the date Of the latest
advices from that country, in the pos.
session or within the knowledge Of the
prope authorities. Much of the land
however. is held under unqueslionable
titles. Those granted for pasluring
purposes are large, covering many
square leagues in extent Some of the
titles which are fair have not been per-
fected. These titles were commenced
in good faith by the Spanish or Mexi-
can authorities and ought to be favor
ably regarded, especially those which
have been occupied. This liberal con-
sideralion should not, Mr. Ewing thinks
be extended to doubtful grants of posi-.
tions on the bays, islands, and head
lands, which, when acquired, were
known TO be necessary 10 the United
States, as sites for forts, lighthouses,
or other objects of national character.
Ii is understood that titles of some kind,
generally not valid without the conlir.
nation of Congress, have been procured
and are claimed, to some of these points
which, if confirmed 10 and made the
property of individuals, must be pur,
chased back at very large price. The
right of the United States TO such sites,
where valid, ough, to be at once asser.
ted; and every spot necessary 10 the use
of the Government should be selected
and separated from the general mass of
public lands. and reserved from sale,
and from the operation of the preemp.
ton laws, as they shall be extended TO
that territory.
Some of The grants of lands in Cali.
fn ,f The 4 4
and quicksilver. By the laws ofSpain,
such mines did not pass by grant OF
the land, but remained in the Crown,
subject to be disposed of according to
such ordinances and regulations as
might be from time to time adopted
Any individual might enter upon the
lands of another 10 search for ores of
the precious metals, and, having discov-
cred a mine, he might register and thus
acquire the right to work it on paying
10 the owner the damage done to the
surface, and to the Crown, whose, pro.
perty il was, fifth or a tenth, accord
ing 10 the quality of the mine. Ifthe
finder neglected TO work, or worked it
imperfeclly, the mine might be denoun.
ced by any other person, whereby he
would become entitled to all the ighls
Of the superseded person. This right
10 mines was also, il is believed, retained
by Mexico as long as she owned the ter,
rltory, and was therefore transferred TO
the United States. Congress must in
terpose and decide whether, where
lands containing gold have been duly
granted, the right enjoyed under Spain
and Mexico shall be asserted or reIin
quished. All the mines therefore in
fact belong to the United States
Those on the lands which have been
granted are not of much consequence
The unclaimed lands contain nearly al
the mines of any value. No existing
law protects these mines, and in the
absence ofsuch law, persons from many
foreign nations have flocked to the mines