The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-09

Nebraska. This is regarded as. the tertiary
formation Astounding with the fossil remains Of
extinct species of animals, each combining the
distinctive Characteristics of several existing
races. Ei s4a
Messrs. FOSTER and WHIrNEY's final report
on the geology of the Lake Superior land dis
trict is also promised.
The number of bounty warrants issued UNI
der the act of lS47 is 83, 1873, Of which IA, $50
have been located under the act Of 1850 the
number issued is 1875, sos. Of which 46, sos
have been located and under the act Of 1852
LII have been issued. The aggregate guam
tity of land covered by the various issues is
%, 428, 400 acres. Notwithstanding every pre-
caution, frauds are sometimes perpetrated and
patents issued on fraudulent assignments. The
Commissioner recommends that an act be passed
authorizing in all cases the Issue of the patents
to the persons who rendered the services for
which the patents We're granted, with the pro-
viso that the title shall enure to the benefit of
the parties contemplated by the acts of l847
and 1850, their heirs, assignees, or devisees.
He further recommends that all the warrants
1912 should be for l60 acres, without reference
to the length of service. LA
In addition to those already mentioned. war
rants and scrip have been issued by the d.
vision having charge Of the Virginia military
and bounty lands under the war Of 1912,
amounting to q ,766 acres.
In regard to the prescriptions of settlers on
the Menomonee purchase, north of Fox river,
Wisconsin, the Commissioner points out cases
Of hardship arising from the provisions of the
act Of May, 1852, restricting the pre-emption
privilege to those settled upon lands which
were surveyed prior to such settlement. The
removal of the restriction is recommended.
Another restriction, arising under the act Of
August last, providing that pre- emption rights
shall not be attached to any section of land re-
ssrved to the United States, alternate to other
sections granted to any of the States for the
construction of any canal, railroad, or other
public improvement, is also adverted to, cou-
pied with recommendation that pre- emptions
shall be granted to all such lands at an in
creased minimu m. a.a -.
OF the 6,7l8.586 acres ceded by the Chick
asaws in Mississippi and Alabama, but 200, 900
acres remain undisposed of: To avoid the ex-
pense entaied upon the Government by the
holding of these lands for sale, as at present,
their attachment to contiguous district is re-
commended. ... .... ',... a..s
The Maison Rouge case is noticed, and
general law is suggested to relieve settlers
who may be in like situations on other claims
yet before the courts growing out of disputed
Spanish or French titles. "T"-
The Commissioner enters at length into a
narration Of the proceedings Of the commission
ers appointed to ascertain and settle the pri-
vate land claims in California. Two hundred
and ninety Eight cases were pending before the
board, according to their latest statement. .-
Legislation is advised for the purpose of as
pertaining and settling private land claims in
Oregon, growing out of our treaty with Britain.
Attention is also directed to the necessity Of
Legislation to authorize the survey and sale of
lands reserved for military and other purposes,
the object for which they were originally set
apart having been accomplished. Another
matter on which legislative action is desirable
arises out of doubts concerning the title of the
United States to lands selected under the act
of 4th September, ls4l, for SCHOOLS and other
similar purposes. The policy of granting lands
of the District Of Columbia to assistance of this
character are incidentally presented.
A necessity exists for regulating by act of
Congress the survey of the California lands.
There and in Oregon land offices should be es-
The propriety of extending the
United States land system into Nebraska,
Utah, and New Mexico is submitted for con-
sideration. The loss to the Government by
the leasing system. as applied to the mineral
lands on the Upper Mississippi, is adverted to
as reason for avoiding the system ON the Pa
cifc. ,o>...a- s,.a... y aaa.-.#..
The subject of land grants to aid in the con-
struction OF railways is discussed by the Com
missioner, who urges the benefits that will ac-
crue from them both to the particular States
and to the General Government. He shows
that in Illinois lands which had remained I'M
sold for many years have been eagerly sought
1t the enhanceI minimum since the, grant for
the Mobile and Chicago Railroad. He dwels
especially on the expediency of making grants
to States west of the Mississippi, to California,
md to the Territories of Utah and Oregon.
He conceives that if this policy be pursued
with liberal hand, ''many now living will
see the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
brought within few days. travel of each
other" ... ..r f r
Referring to Louisiana, the report states that
about 100000 acres-much of which is in
erior--will remain to the United States after
leducting all the swamp and overlooked lands
granted to the Stale; and it is recommended
hat this quantity be-ceded to the State in aid
If constructing levees and drains.
The Commissioner concludes with recapit-
,lation of the various duties now devolving
upon the General Land Office; indirectly ex-
,ibiting the extraordinary growth and expan-
ZION of our public land system, and the arduous
abors and responsibilities of those engaged in
is direction.