The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-11

io1i.s "'i@to.W ooeVf %
Total. :. a $3.50 OO9 o. 7e5 29s ~
To which may be added large bodies of land 5
heretofore selected by the several States, uuder
the &C, OF 4h September, and other laws, amount
ing TO several millions of acres; all of which inter-
fere with and reduce the sales OF the pubc laads.
The following statement OF the amount of lands
sold and located by military warrants In 1917, ia
the three first quarters OF 1913, the year 1913,
and in the three first quarters of lSi9 exhibits the
decrease in cash receipts, and the increase In the
amount of lands disposed Of
Lam. sold. ss s.s IL S., Ss ss x;
warrants 2se 5000 sass,o 90 i,a, 5000 iesssoo 90
Total. .s7sl.is0Ss ssssasa os aNsHoSi $3.50, los 80
..,,, In ISIS nsu. In rns l.r seas e 1919
Lard seld lss7SSsOl 2esisis 20 So 1854 i.lMor &.
warrants 2 2ssseooo 2s6l 200 90 249SSso,o a7oo 90
Total lI66iaOi 5la2 SIS Is ssss 765 40 iae7.7s7 o.
Thus II will be shown that in lS47 the quantity
Of land disposed of for cash, and by warrants
equivalent TO cash, amounts to. $3596, 254 o.
anu In 1915, to...... 5,4c2 ,Sl5 10
In the hrst three quarters of 1913 il
amounts tO.... 937 los 30
In the first three quarters of 1S49 it
amounts 10. ...... 4,2yI ,16 62
The prevalence OF the Asiatic epidemic during
the past season IN many of the western StaIes,
and the emigration, especially to California, Of
great numbers OF our most active and enterprisIng
ciizens, have also had an influence in decreasing
the sales.
IL Is shown, however that the quantity of land
disposed OF by sales and other means has largely
increased, though the revenue, for the reasons
given, has somewhat diminished. The labor im-
posed, however, on this office, by the different
acts tor the disposal of the public land, is much
greater, as II occupies more time in the examlna-
ton registering and issuing evidence of tide tor
these military and State locations than would be-
required Tor double the same amount Of land sold
for cash.
The correspondence connected with these
branches 10 also very, extensive, and, with the
charge OF the mineral lands, deyolved on thus
office by the acts of LIST and Sd March, 1917, has
materially increased the current business.
The act OF Sd August, 1916, extended by the
act OF 18th July, 1878, for the settlement of sus-
pended entries has enabled this office to release
large number OF those cases-thus putting an end
to the vol luminous correspondence growing out OF
them, and atlsrding relief to honest and bona file
holders.
In assuming proprietary jurisdiction over our
new territories; we should profit by our experience
ia the elder cesslons, which teaches the impor-
lance OF prompt. vigorous, and summary measures.
TO separate public from private propeTty-a pro-
ceeoing Indispensable to the public weai-a right
demanded by the high interests of Oregon, Cali.
fornia, aud New Mexico. in order that litigation
and confusion may be avoided, by placing tbeir
land titles at once upon proper and permanent
basis.
by the treaty concluded at Washington, on the
5lh August, 1916, between the United States aud
Great Britain, we have expressly agreed respect
the rights ot the British Hudson Bay aud Puget
Sound Agricultural Companies, and OF all tue
British subjects within our Oregon limits and IA
the act OF Congress approved August l4th, ISIS,
"to establish the territorial government Of Ore
gOD,' Congress have confirmed the title of a
limited area to mission stations; have ordered,
after the lands IN the territory shall be surveyed
under the directions OF the government of the
United States, that the school reservation shall be
extended 10 that territory and have enlarged that
reservation 10 Two sections. sections sixteen
and thITy-six, In each township. BY the same act.
Congress have annulled all laws Of the provisional
government making grants, or otherwise encuni-
DernG the national title. These government acts
are but prelimnary, and look TO further
such as Is now required, In order To extend over
the territories the machinery Of our land system
That a proper and dehnltive adjustment may be
had OF The rights Of property II will be necessary
not only 10 respect rights under treaty, hut 10 re-
cognise all old bona hds settlement claims, 10
cure the owners In their improvements, TO give
them fee title In their lands, and To invite emit
grauon by liberal donations 10 those who will
make that country their home-thus opening Il to
enterprise, and taking sure means for developing
Its boundess agricultural resources as well as It's
mineral wealth.
Under the treaty, as ratified on the lih July,
Is Is, between the nied States and the republic
Of Mckee, we are bound, as nation, TO carry out
in good faith the intention Of the governments OF
Spain and Mexico, our prede cessors IN sovereig uy,
IN regard to land titles which have emanared from
their lawful authorities TO private individuals In
New Mexico and California.
Our attention should be first directed towards
California. owing 10 the extraordinary current OF
events which has set in that direction. The i'm
mense discoveries OF gold there. its geographical
and other natural advantages IN a coum- REAL
point OF view, have stimulated emigration 10 de-
gree wholly unprecedented IN the HISTORY 81 cOonl
Zation on this continent; and although II Il bot
little over one year sncesDur title was dr tntively
acknowledged To those territories, our people have
hock,d by thousands and sui rushing To The
tla 81
by The Panama isihmus, and around Cape Horn,
until already, with sufficient population, they are
preparing 10 erect Themselves into sovereign
STATE and 10 seek admission for II as a member oi
the American coniederacy. Notwithstanding more
than thiee-quariers Of a century had elapsed since
the SpaulaTds undertook To make establishments,
and strengthen their political power in Upper Cali
fomia, by founding missions (brglnniug with that
at Ssn Diego, In IT6y) and by extending private
efilements, we received the country with meagrr
and thlnly scaitered population. Within the brief
period since our acquisition, we have already there,
as II by talismanic power. all the teemiog elements
ct active lite and civilization. An ndomtable.
highly intelligent. and enterpusing population,
manly composed Of our own people, tneT,
busily employed in laying deep and broad the
foundaiio ns of our republican institutions on the
Pacific shores, and while thus employed. turu-
Ing their eyes eastward 10 the legislative depart
ment 81 our national government. expecting from
IL that wise legislation by which the public interest
10 this new region wall be properly consulted, by
raj products, well as by speedily throwing open,
according 10 our present sectional and sub
divisional sectional alotments. the public lands
adapted 10 agricultural purposes that every cti
2, n may have an opportunity OF purchasing free.
hold, and that all valid titles there, which existed
under the governments OF Spain and Mexico, may
be recognized and secured 70 the lawful proprf-
etors.
n In extending to this territory the United States
system OF survey and erecting land districts, with
local Offices, for the sale OF the public lands,
measure OF the first importance that some Jud cIous
plan be adopted by which private property may be
properly Disseminated and severed from the pub
lie lands, in order that in our systeu Of selling
may avoid conflict with private rights. by dispOsog
Of only such land as is fully ascertained to be pub
lie property.
To obtain information AZ TO the system that cx-
listed before the late change of government, In dis
posing Of lands IN Upper California, such materials
have been examined at this office were within
INDEPENDENTLY the report, IN March, 1919,
from the military officer, acting as Secretary Of
State Of the Territory of California.
From that renort which il renlete with useInl