The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-17

oysrowed lands granted TO the State Of Louisiana by the
acts OF I'd March, ls49, and 2sh September 1850, that
about 10 100000 will remain TO the United States
much OF which OF very inferior quality. The justice
and propreiy OF granting these lands TO the State fur
tber aid OF constructing The necessary leyees and drains
protect the country from annual inundaon, have here
tofoe engaged the attention OF Congress- and formed the
subject OF report from the Department OF the Interior OF
oath August $780, copy OF which is hereto appended
This subject is again respectfully presented and so iuy
treated OF that report that further comment on IL Is
deemed unnecessary.
The extraordinary growth and expansion Of our PUBLIC
LAND SYSTEM. extending from the Atlantic 10 me
Pacific aud from the lakes and 40 deg north latitude al
most 10 the Tropc oil Cancer has gwen an Importance
with its high responsibilities and duties
Those duties az heretofore adyerted 10 IN reports from
this Office may be briefly classified under the following
heads;
galIy OF the sales oil the public lands reported 10 the
General Land Office from the local land officers in the
several land districts oil The United States, and the set
Element OF individual Conflicts and other adverse rights
The examination and adjustment OF the ACCOUNTS OF
the land receivers OF public moneys and The surveyors
general.
the district land officers for review and Instructions and
The settlement OF disputed cases numerous and often COM
plicated.
The examination OF land warrants growing out OF the
war OF the revolution last with Great Britain, and OF
the Mexican under act OF si7 and the general law
OF September, 1850
ing branch OF this establishment requiring knowledge OF
surveying in all It's branches, and skill in protractng and
plating.
The examination generally OF ASSIGNMENTS OF inchoate
titles under local statutes resting ordinary convey
devise, sales under orders oil probate court or
DEGREES in chancery partnership ues, and titles oil cor
porations
The engrossing recording, and examination of patents
for rights under the credit cash. and military systems
In executing the laws OF Congress making grants OF
lands Tor COUNTY SEATS, SCHOOLS ROADS, CANALS, and
other purposes
The examination of claims and titles derived from
Great Britain France, and SPAIN in connexon with The
conrmaory statutes and the decisions OF the Supreme
Court OF the United States in which the original evidences
OF title are necessarily drawn in review in relation 10
errors Of law of fact. of conflicts. and in Older to
right determination OF locality, and extent OF continuation
and finally TO carry them into patent from the United
States, requiring a thorough knowledge of all the laws
OF the former and present governments on the subject
and involving vast amount of labor and complexty.
In the investigation OF evidences OF claims 10 reser
vatlons under Indian treaties, IN order TO carry such
rights into patent, according 10 the terms OF grant or
transfer, these often giving rise to embarrassment in the
settlement of flicis.
rail- and experimenting the extension OF the surveying
system and the revising OF returns 10 efficiency,
uniformity and correctness the local duties and the
correction OF errors in field operations, often work of
great delicacy and difficulty.
The preparation OF general instructions TO the land Of
cer and general correspondence incident to the immense
details OF the system.
The examination Of cases referred for examination by
committees in Congress, and other duties nseparable
from the general supervisory powers OF this ofhce.
In the operations OF this institution our rules OF action
have necessarily 10 be determined, after careful
nation oil the voluminous leg lsauon oil Congress, the
decisions OF the State courts and Of the Supreme Court
of treaties with foreign powers and with Indian tribes,
and the opinions OF the Attorney General Of the United
States, and the presidents existing in The Office
The foregoing may furnish some idea OF the scope OF
the duties labors and responsibilities OF this office. The
manner in which they are discharged we leave TO the
judgment of an enlightened government and the inelli-
gence of those representing the landed interests of
our country and their constituency.
For details OF the statistics and other subjects referred
this report, beg leave refer to the
documents and tables.
The reports of the surveyors general of California and
Oregon not having been received in time accompany
this report, will be submitted with special communica-
ton. For the same estimates submitted for
surveys California they will form the subject of an.
other communication at early day
With great respect have the honor TO be, your ODE
dent servant,
JOHN WILSON,
-t-r Commissioner.
Hon. A. H. II. STUART,
Secretary OF the Interior.