The republic., 1851-12-15
THE REPU BLIC.

OF the General Land once.
Al the commencement Of his Report. Mr.
BUTrEBFIELD nutces the fact that the thirteen
Glates added to the Union since 1902 have
embraced an area of more than 500 000, 900 Of
scres, in addition to which our Territories cover
an area OF l,lI0,000,000 acres. OF this vast
domain more than 100000, 600 of acres are
yet unsold. The sales during the year ending
30th June last amounted to fraction more
than ,o46,S47 acres, and the purchase money
to more than $2,370,947. The amount of land
sold during the first quarter of the current year
was 1910 acres, being very large increase
over the corresponding quarter of the previous
year.
II is anticipated that the construction of the
Great Central railroad from Chicago to Mobile
will insure the sale Of large bodies of land that
have hitherto been unattractive; though the tracts
on the route of that road, being reserved to the
United States, are not subject 10 location by
land warrants.
The locations by land warrants during the
last fiscal year cover an area Of ,454 900 acres,
making an aggregate Of cash sales and locations
by warrant, within that period, of 1900, SAT
acres. The total number Of Mexican warrants
issued To the lst November last is S0,78l, OF
which 66,6l8 have been located. Under the
General Bounty Land law of 1850 rather more
than $4,000 warrants have been issued, but
3,708 have been located Every precaution
has been adopted to detect and arrest any
attempts to impose upon the land office fraudu-
lent assignments Of the latter class of warrants.
The estimated quantity of public land avail
able for market daring the coming year will
not be less than II 100000 acres.
Since the adjournment of the last Congress
The system Of surveys has been extended to the
verge of our Pacific border, in the face Of OBJ
stacles of no ordinary character. The adoption
of what is called the g geodetic method'' was
originally authorized in connexion with the sur
veys in Oregon; but the adoption of it has been
deemed inexpedient, partly on account Of the
increased cost and delay which it involved, and
partly on account Of the character Of the sur
face of the country to be surveyed.
Attention is called to the necessity of obtain
ing a prompt and final settlement of claims Sc
cured by the treaty of 1916 to British subjects
then occupying land in the territory south of
the 10th degree north latitude. A stipulation
was introduced into the treaty that the United
States Government should obtain any such pro-
perty on payment of proper compensation !;
but this has not been acted upon, nor have the
claims themselves been finally decided and re-
gistered by the Surveyor General of Oregon,
who was constituted the arbter for the occa-
sion.
Steps have been taken to institute geologi-
cal survey of western Oregon.
The act ofl850, providing for donations of pub
lie lands in Oregon, had reference to two classes
of settlers. To these located prior to December,
1850, it gives 800 acres to single man, and
an equal quantity to his wife; to those locating
that period and December, 1858, it
gives one-half of those quantities. Residence
on and cultivation of the land for four consecu-
tive years are necessary to insure patent.
Mineral lands are excluded from being located
under this act. AS yet no provision has been
made for the sale of public lands in Oregon
and, preparatory to that step, certain modifica-
protect the interests of certain classes of
claimants.
The report recommends the immediate ex-
tension of the land system over California,
in manner best adapted to the peculiar
condition of the country. A preliminary to
this, however, is the final adjustment Of all
bona fde land claims derived from the former
,overeigntes, and provision is suggested for
securing their Improvements to actual settlers,
by pre- emption or otherwise. Under the act
appointed TO ascertain and settle the private
and claims, and their first session was to com
nence at San Francisco on the 9Th instant. As
no Spanish or Mexican plats of survey are ex-
ant, intiatory surveys have been made under
he direction of the commissioners, who require
Ill claimants to file duly authenticated plat,
the tract claimed, aud the nature
and extent of Interference. Great advantage
10 the claimants and the public is expected to
accrue from this arrangement, which is calcu-
dJeu W ooNldto MANY SAlotlHB CdusSS VI tlH-
The Surveyor General Of California has de-
ermined the point Of intersection of base and
meridian line, on the summit of Monte Diablo,
and this, with an extension of the standard
parallels, will regulate the projection of the
township surveys throughout the central por-
ton of the State. To regulate the surveys Of
the lands drained by the Colorado, and those
IN the southern coast, another base line and
meridian have been prepared, with their inter-
section at Los Angeles. Another base and
meridian will be needed for the northern sur
veys.
In regard to the mineral lands in California.
several difficulties are enumerated The post
Of definite action by Congress is sug-
gested, with an understanding that the public
surveys shall meanwhile progress regularly.
Where interference with the mineral regions
is unavoidable, the surveyors are to be required
to note the extent of the Indications, with a
view to future scientific examination.
To indemnify the public treasury for the