Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-06-24
INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY. JUNE "a, 1852.
Wet and swamp Lands.

Many enquiries are made about the condition of these
lands. We publish below the last letter on this subject
from the Land Office at Washington, to Gov. Wright.
II probable that the title will be made to the State
for these lands before fall The State has done every
thing required Of herr tits with the Department
Washington to the title, which will doubt
less be completed during the coming fall
No appointments will bc made by the Governor, we
suppose under the bill OF this session. until the title is
consummaed to the State This is magnificent grant to
the State, amounting to about million and quarter
Of acres. Gov Wright deserves the praise of every In.
danan for his promptness and zeal in selecting these
lands, and trust in the future the management Of this
trust this noble boon the State will be well husband
ed and carefully applied after its objects are accom-.
pished TO the great Of school education
GENERAL LAND OFFICE /
February 9th, 1852. !
Sir Your letter Of The 26th utno, with the maps
and lists OF the swamp Lands in the Charlottesville and
Fort Wayne Districts and the map in the Jeffersonve
District, Herewith inclosed has been received. You
express desire that tho examination OF all the districts
In yosr State may be completed by the hrst ot March,
and patents issued by the first OF April next In reply
have the honor state that the Secretary Of the In
terror has recently made decision in relation the
lection OF the Swamp Lands, which reverses portion
oil the constructions formerly placed upon the Act OF 2Sth
September, 1850, making the grant, and which will ne
cessary delay the speedy adjustment Of the grant here
tofore contemplated herewith nclose YOU a copy Of
that decision.
entitled 20 all lands that sold and located subse
queny to the passage Of the Act, provided they are
actually soanp and orsraoaoed lands within the
ing OF the Act. Persons however, who have pur-
chased and located lands of this character since the
sage OF the Act, have thereby acquired rights which
title theri to be heard 1t would be very unjust under
the to cancel the sales and locations thus
made on erpdre evidence. In order therefore, to dis
pose Of all in this condition, equitably and JUSTLY
some further evidence must be furnished enable this
Office {, determine the character of the lands as to
whether they really swamp lands not. Instruc-
tns for this purpose will be issued at the earliest pos
sibe period.
In the Charlottesville district these conaictions only
embrace OF about 1900 acres; in Of the
other districts the quantity thus involved will be mach
greater.
regret that this Office is receiving letters al.
most daily, stating in positive terms, that many of the
lands reported swamp lands, not Of that charac
ter in nearly every State and Indiana is not excep
ton. Although so mnch nnacquanted with the char
acter OF many of the persons advising this Office that
implicit confidence cannot be placed in what they state
ths fact together with the fact that the
ton OF the sales and locations conflicting with these
econs, are made in the smallest sub-dvisions-( tend
ing strongly establish the belief that the lands ara
purchased and located for agricultural purposes and
not speculation)-so much doubt is thrown upon the
character Of these selections generally, that have 10
several instances instructed the proper Registers to In
yesgste the matter iuly and report the evidence to
this Office with as little delay possible. One OF these
instances is in the Crawfordsvie district n your
State, and the result is made known this I
office, you will be promptly advised !
II il were not for the difficulties before suggested I
would once under the Secretary's late decision sub
nit the lists embracing the lands, him for his
approval with request that he direct patents TO be is
sued but in view Of these facts and in view Of proper
and faithful discharge of the duties connected with the
public service under my supervision, cannot consistent
ly recommend that would be detrimental 10
the interests Of the United States and conceive
contrary the spirit and meaning of the law making
the grant. These lists WILL therefore, have to remain
suspended until all these difficulties satisfactorily ad
justed
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
j. BUTTERFIELD.
Commissioner. /