The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-15

The balance OF over $4,000 per mile would have
10 be furnished by the State or the Individual en-
terprise 20 which the construction oil the ROAD
might be entrusted; and II would be UNJUST 10 the
Intelligence and foresight OF our citizens to suppose
that works of this kind would be undertaken with
out a fair prospect of completion, and the reah%a-
ton OF reasonable profit from the Investment
The act passed at the last session OF Congress
granting the right Of way and the privilege OF TAX
ing the necessary materials for the construction OF
ali such roads from the public lands, Is iair IN
PRODUCTION tn this policy. The iaclnues iurhisneu
by such roads, SO far as human agency can aCco'n-
plish it, will annihilate time and space! and IKE
adamantipe bonds bind together this mighty ana
Widespread Republic
With these views, i respectfully recommend
that grants of this character be made to the se'e
raj States for every work OF the kind they may un-
dertake; and especially to the States west oil the
Mississippi for the construction OF railroads from
that ry along the fertile valleys watered oy the
streams that descend from the Rocky Mountains
TO the foot of those and that like grants
be made TO the State of California, and Territories
of Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico, for routes lead
ing from the Pacific to the west side OF those noun
tains leaving the transit of the mountains 10 indl,
vidual enterprise, the enlarged hberalty OF
Congress, in view Of the immense facilites ana
advantages that would enure to the comnerciai
interests OF the country from such co""luhi'a'
tlons.
The protection that would thus be extended 10
citizens residing the frontiers, the Inducements
TO settle on those lands, and the facilities 'hat
would be furnished the Government Tor transport
ing nnnuites and goods for the Indians ana men
and military stores for the frontier posts wouid
fully Justify such grants, aside from the pecuniary
profit growing out OF them. Or, if the States oil
Iowa and Missouri should combine to construct
such a road from come point on the Missouri river
west of the western boundary OF those States and
tho States of Arkansas and Louisiana should, In
like manner undertake the construction OF a south
road for the mutual benent oil those otales'
that liberal grants be made for those purposes
The vast importance Of these measures Will Sc
cure their com petion il they are once commenced;
and many now living will see the waters OF the
Atlantic and Pacific brought within few days
travel Of each other, and our country become the
mart and medium of the trade Of the world.
IL is estimated, after deducting all the swamps
and overlooked lands granted to the State of Loui
siana by the Of I'd March. lSis, and 2oth Sep
tember 1850 that about 10 900 COO acres will re-
main 10 the United States, much of which is OF
very inferior quality. The justice and proprety
OF granting these lands to the State in further ana
Demonstrating the necessary levees and drains 10
protect the country from annual inundalon, nave
heretofore engaged the attention OF Congress, and
formed the subject Of report from the Department
of the Interior Of Oath August, 1850 copy OF when
ia hereto appended. This subject Is again re E
epectiuly presen ted, and is SO fully treated OF IN
that report that further comment on 1t 10 deemed
unnecessary.
The extraordinary growth and expansion OF our
PUBLIC LAND System, now extending from the At
anc to the Pacific, and from the lakes and 49'
north latitude almost to the tropic OF cancer mas
given it an importance commemorate WIN us higa
responsibilities and duties Those duties as here
tofore adverted to in reports from this ONCE may
be briefly classified under the following heads:
The examination and testing of the regularity
and legality of the sales OF the public lands as re-
ported to the General Land Office from the local
land officers in the several land districts OF the Uni
ted States, and the settlement of individual con
hcts, and other adverse rights.
The examination and adjustment OF the &C.
COUNTS of the land rece'rers of public moneys and
the surveyors general.
The examination of PRE-EMPTIoN CLAIMS sent
up from the district land officers for review and
Instructions and the settlement OF disputed cases,
numerous, and often complicated.
The examination Of land warrants growing out
Of the Of the Revolution, last war with u treat
Britain, and Of the Mexican war, under act OF 1917
and the general law of September, 1880
The duties incident to the PUBLIC SURVEYS IN the
drafting branch Of this establishment, requiring
knowledge of surveying in all its branches, ana
ski!l in protracting and plating.
The examination generally of ASSIGNMENTS OF
inchoate titles under local statutes resting on ord
nary conveyances. devise, on sales under orders OF
probate court, DEGREES in chancery, partnership
titles, and titles of corporations.
The engrossing, recording, and examination OF
patents for rights under the credit, cash, and mill
tary systems.
In executing the laws of Congress making grants
OF lands for COUNTY sEATs, SCHOOLS, ROADS, CA
NAILS, and other purposes.
The examination of CLAIMS and TITLES derived
from GREAr BRIrAIN, FRANcE, and SPAIS, in
conpexion with the confrmatory statutes and the
decisions of the Supreme Court Of the United States
in which the original evidences OF title are neces
EARLY drawn in review in relation to errors OF law,
Of fact or of conflicts, and in order to a night
dsterminat ton Of locality, and extent oil connrma'
ton and finally to carry them into patent from
the United States, requiring thorough kno" ieuge
OF all the laws of the former and present govern.
ments on the subject, and involving vast amount
OF labor and completely.
In the investigation Of evidences OF claims 10
RESERVATIONS under INDIAN TREATIES, IN order
10 carry such rights into patent, according 10 the
terms of grant transfer these often giving rise
TO embarrassment in the settlement OF conflicts
The preparation of instructions to the SURVEY
oss GENERAL, and supuintending the srtenson OF
the surveying sySifm and the revising OF returns 10
secure efficiency uniformity, and correctness in
the local duties. and the correction OF errors In
field operations, often work Of great deicacy and
difficulty.
The prepa ration of general instructions to the
land officers, and general correspondence incident
TO the immense details of the system.
The examination of cases referred for exanlna
ton bv committees in Con erees, and other duties
ineeparable from the general supervisory powers
of this office.
In the operations of this institution our rules o.
action have necessarily to be determined, after n
careful examination of the voluminous Legislation
OF Congress, the decsions o: the State courts and
of the Supreme Court of treaties with foreign
powers and with Indian tribcs, and the opinions o
the Attorney General OF the United States, and th'
prccedents existing in the office
The foregoing may furnish some idea of the
scope OF the duties. labors and responsibilities o
this Office the manner in which they are dis
charged we leave to the judgment OF an enilght
ened Government, and the intelligence of those
representing the vast landed interests ofour coun
try and their constituency.
For details Of the statistics and other suhcc'
referred to in this report, beg leave to refer t.
the accompanying documents and table,.
The reports Of the surveyors general Of Caiiior
mia and Oregon, not having been received in tim
TO acc ompany this report, will be submitted Will
aspecial communication. For the same cause D.
estimates are submitted for surveys in Califor mia
they will form the subject Of another communica
ton at an carly day.
With great respect, l have the honor to be you
obedient servant, JOHN WILSON,
Commissioner.
Hon. A. II. IL STUART,
Secretary of the Interior.
New YORK AND WAsHINGTos.-One would sup