The Nevada journal., 1852-01-24
For the Nevada Journal.

OF the mineral lands Of this State, is
question involving the welfare of the
state. and the best interests OF the lar
ger portion of its citizens Upon a
subject OF such vast importance, il is
TO be hoped, that no hasty legislation
viii be had, and that no proposition
will be carried into effect, until after
careful consideration and mature de-
Liberation. A false step in this matter
may entail evils beyond the power of
future legislation to repair, the effects
of which may be felt for many years,
even generations.
This subject is, at this time, very de-
servedly, occupying large share OF
public attention, and from present in
dications, it would seem, that it is des
tined, at no very distant day, to be de
finitely and finally settled. 1t there
fore becomes the citizens Of this State
especially, to take this subject into Sc.
rious consideration, and to aid, as far
rs in their power, in the proper adjust
ment OF it.
Divers methods have been devised
at different times, for the settlement of
this question Cne contemplated the
sale of these lands - another the lease
of them-whie another discountenan
ced any Legislation upon the subject
There is now pending before the legis-
lature Of the Stat, a proposition for
recommending to Congress to grant
these lands TO the State. These meth :
DDS are all more or less Objectionable.
Some have already beer condemned
by public opinion, while others yet re-
main under consideration. But what
does the State want with these lands?
The question of drawing a revenue
from them has already been passed up
on by public sentiment and condamn-
ed; and l can Sc no good to be produ-
ced by such change Of owners.
/ have another method to propose
for disposing of these lands, which
seems to be less Objectionable than a.
ny of which / have heard. 1t is as
follows: For Congress to pass an Act,
reserving to each and every citizen,
for all time to come, the right of min
ing upon any and all the lands in the
State over which Congress has at this
TING, any control--and also, by the
same Act, to donate these lands in
proper quantities, subject TO the reser-
walton above mentioned, to the actual
settlers upon them, --or, in other words,
for Congress to donate he public lands
in this State, in proper quantities, to
actual settlers upon them, subject to
the right to be reserved TO every citi
zen Of mining upon them, when, where
and how he may choose.
The immediate effect Of such dis
position OF these lands would be, to en-
courage permanent settlements in all
parts OF the State, and TO extinguish
the government title,--while in its ef-
fects it would give prosperity to the
State and promote the permanent in
terests of its citizens. The miner
would f:rever be as free to carry on
his mining operations as he is at this
day,--he would be secured a right oil
way for mining purposes through all
these lan,ls with free ingress and e.
gress,-while the agriculturalist, hav-
ing a permanent interest in the soil,
and being assured that he would reap
the fruits of his sowing, would cult
vate his fields and make permanent
improvements, which he would enjoy
during his life and at his death, be-
queath TO his postcrity.
This method, it seems TO me, will
cut the gordian knot of this pnrplexing
and difficult subject--will give peace
and security to the citizens--and will
fully and satisfactorily reconcile and
adjust interests heretofore seemingly
diverse and conflicting.
The deep interest feel, as per-
manent citizen of the State, in her
welfare and the general interest of its
citizens, will, l trust, be a sufficient
apology for this communication.
NJ F. HOLT.
Nevada City Jan. oath 1852.