Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-01-17

accrued, and that the pre-emptors insisted thai
they had vested right to purchase these lands
to the extent OF their prescriptions, at the mini
mum price established by the act Of 1649, which
was the appraised value. BY reason of this al.
legged right. the Commissioners were unable to
make sales of lands in this situation. Nv own
opinion is, upon full investigation of the law.
that these presumption rights had vested and that
the State ought in good faith TO permit the pre-
emptors under the act of l849 to purchase at the
appraised value. Entertaining this view, urge
modification of the act Of 1850 to protect the
pre-emptors in their just and legal rights.
The five per cent. of the nett proceeds of the
sales of public lands within the State for the
years 1913 and l849, amounts to 1857 56
dollars, and has been loaned to the University
The accounts of this fund for 1850 will be ad-
justed soon, and will amount to about II GOO
dollars.
Of the 100000 acres of land granted by Con
gress to the State, about 100000 acres have
been selected and approved by the General Gov
ernment. Additional selections have been d.
rected to be made, but cannot inform you of the
quantity, as the State Agent has not made his re-
port.
An act was passed, approved February 9th
1880, providing for the appraisal and sale of these
lands, and it made it the duty of the Legislature
to appoint the appraisers, which duty has not
been performed, and the result is, no action has
been had under it BY the State authorities. Some
Legislative action will be required to carry out
the provisions of the act referred 10.
By an act of Congress passed Sept. 28th,
1850, all the Swamp and overfowed lands are
granted to the State. The instructions to the
Surveyor General for the selection ofthese lands,
authorize him to receive such reliable evidence
OF their character, as may be presented by the
State authorities, and as many of the lands were
surveyed at dry seasons, all the land of that cha
racter is not represented on the plat of survey
This being an important grant, and should you
deem Il OF sufficient importance 10 the interests
Of the State to have all these lands ascertained
| would recommend that authority be given the
Executive to have the necessary examinations
made, and the means be placed at his disposal to
meet the expenses 10 be incurred
The improvement of the Fox ard Wisconsin
rivers, is progressing as rapidly as the limited
means arising from the sale of the lands grant
ed BY Congress for this object, will admit
The Portage Canal and Locks, the Rapide dss
Pierre, and the Rapids at Lake Winnebago, it Is
expected, will all be completed and ready for ma
yigation at the commencement of next season.
The amount Of excavation, by the dredge boat:
required for the improvement of the upper Fox
river, has far exceeded the original estimates of
the Chief Engineer and Board Of Public Works.
This section of the Improvement could not have
been effected without its aid, and it has answer
ed all that was claimed at its construction. 1t is
now within three or four miles of the Portage,
and will reach that point early next season.
portion of the dam at the Rapide Croche
was carried away by the ice during the last win
ter, and the lock pits at the Rapide des Pierre Is
required 70 be sunk deeper, to secure at all times
sufficient depth of water.
Whether the situation of these works is the
result of tortuitous circumstances or the want
of the exercise of proper judgment on the part
of the officers having them in charge, | cannot
now inform you. TIE Board of Public Works,
in whom Ihave the utmost confidence, have been
instructed by me to give the causes of these ac-
cidents searching investigation.
The rapids at the Grand Chute and the Cedar
Rapids, were placed under contract in May last,
and the works commenced with rigor, and their
estimated cost is about $4,000 dollars. Of this
grant 80, 723 21-0O acres have been selected,
approved and offered for sale. The sales of
these lands are as follows
Sold in l849 up to Jan. Is, 1850, 1891 l4-I00
acres for 59,ll9 50 dolls.
Sold in 1850 up to Dec. IS, 1850, 42,4 SI $4,000
acres for 3,l61 10.
Making the number Of acres sold, 68,373 O4-I00,
and leaving unsold 1882 100 acres, q con-
siderable portion of which IS supposed TO be
waste and unsaeable.
Of this sum 1924 63-loO vas expended d.
ring the year 1919, and 38l+9 27-l0O in 1850
to September ID, the date of the las: report
In consequence of the lands now selected and
in narke, not readily selling, the Board of Pub
lie Works suspended the prosecution of the work
al the Grand Chute and Cedar Rapids, until the
prior contracts were completed or the residue
of the grant could be made available.
The action of Congress necessary 10 enable
the residue of the grant to be selected, has not
been had. The aid Of the representatives Of this
State, in behalf of this object, has been solicited
and it is believed that Congress will pass the re-
quiste act at its present session.
The Board are actively engaged in examin-
ing into the situation and condition of the i'm
provement, and making up their annual report,
showing the transactions of this branch of the
Public service during the year, which, when re-
ceived, will be transmitted 10 you.
The rapdity with which the Fox river valley
has been settled, by an enterprsing and industri-
Gus people, and the increased commerce upon
this stream since the commencement Of the work,
has demonstrated It's value a. a channel of inter-
nal communication to large section OF our State.
1t commends itself therefore, to your favorable
consideration.
1t will be your duty to elect the Board Of
Public Works and the State Land Officers, as
the terms of service Of the present lncumbeuts
expire during your present session.
The act of Congress authorizing the people Of
this State to form Constitution and State Gov
eminent, grants to the State all Salt Springs not
exceeding twelve, with six sections OF land con-
tguous as nsy be to each, TO be selected within
one year after the admission Of the State.
As Salt Springs have no; been discovered in
the State. these land, have not been selected
other States having had the benefit Of a similar
provision il is lust at'we should be the reciqi-
euts ct the liberality Of Congress to an equal eX-
tent, although we NAV have no Salt Springs
Your Memorial is therefore urged, asking Con-
gress to change the grant, directing an equal
quantity TO be located for the use OF tie State,
without reference TO it's saline character.
The enumeration Of the inhabitants OF the
State has been completed under the direction OF
the National government, copies OF which have
been filed bv the Marshal in the office Of the
Secretary Of State an abstract of which accom-
Panes his report.
The population OF the State on the lst Of June
was 305,566.
The returns of this census, presents -grstITy-
ing view of the prosperity and growth OF our
State in every DEPARTMENT of industry and enter