Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-21

OSNioN9 VI uCLGCIlO1s i ut uG-i
fac:s in the law upon this subject are SO
apparent, and SO fatal to the ends OF JUS
lice. that your early action relating to it
is most desirable.
During the last fiscal year nine mil
liou eight hun lred and nineteen thousand
four hundred and eleven acres of the pub
lie lands have been SURVEYED. and ten
million three hundred and sixty-three
thousand eight hundred and ninety-one
acres brought into market. Within the
same period, the sales by public pur-
chase aud private entry amounted to one
million eighty three thousand four hun
dred and ninety-fiye acres located un-
der military bounty land warrants. six
million one hundred and forty two thou
sand three hundred and sixty acres loca-
Sed under other certificates, nine thousand
four hundred an twenty seven acres
coded to the States as swamp lands, six
teen million six hundred and eighty -four
Thousand two hundred and fifty three
acres selected for railroads and other
objects. under acts of Congress. o.cc.e mil
dion four hundred and twenty seven thou.
sand four hundred and 6ft7-seyen acres.
Total amount of lands disposed of within
the fiscal year, twenty five million three
hundred and forty-six thousand. nine
hundred and ninetY-two acres which is
an increase in quantity sold, and located
unuer land warrants and grants, of twelve
million two hundred and thirty-on thou
sand eighteen hundred and eight en-
acres, over the fiscal year Immediately
preceding. The quantity of land sold
during the second and third quarters of
1859, was three hundred and thirty four
thousand four hundred and fifty one acres
The amount received therefor, was six
hundred and twenty three thousand six
hundred and eighty-seven dollars. The
quantity sold the second and third quar-
ters of the year 1858, was one million six
hundred and nine thousand nine hundred
and nineteen acres and the amount re-
ceived therefor, two millions two hundred
and tweutysix thousand eight hundred
and seventy-slx dollars.
The whole number of land warrants is
sued under existing laws. prior to the 3Oth
of September last, was two hundred aud
sixtysix thousand and forty-two of
which there were outstanding, at that
g date, sixty six thousand n;ne hundred and
forty-seyen. The quantity of land re-
quired to satisfy these outstanding war
rants. is four million seven hundred and
seventy eight thousand one hundred and
, twenty acres.
Warrants have been issued to the 3Oth
of September last, under the act of | It'll
february 1847, calling for twelve million
eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand
two hundred and eighty acres; under acts
of September %. 1850, and March 90,
1859, calling for twelve million five hun
.%dred and sixty acres makinga total of
81 L 4 I
eighty four thous md six hundred and for
ty acres.
1t is believed that expe rience has veri-
fed the wisdom and justice Of the present
system. with regard to the public domain,
in the mos. essential particulars.
You will perceive, from the report ofthe
Secretary of the Interior. that opinions
which have often been expressed in rela-
ton to the operation of the land system.
as notbeIng source of revenue to the fed.
reral treasury, were erroneous. The net
profits from the sale of the publ; lands
to June 80, 1853. amounted to the sum
of ifty-three million two hundred and
,eighty-nine thousand four hundred and
six:y-ive dollars.
recommend the extension of the land
system over the territory of Utah and
New Mexico, with such notifications as
their peculiarities may require.
Regarding our public domain as chiefly
valuable to provide homes for the indussri-
Gus and euteprising, [ am not prepared TO
recommend any essential change in the
land system, except by notifications in
favor of the actual settler. and extension
OF the presumption principle in certain ca
SEES, fer reasons. and on grounds, which
will be fully developed in the reports to
be laid before you.
Congress representing the proprietors
of the territorial domain. and charged es
pecially with power to dispose of territory
belonging to the United States, has for Il
long course of years. beginning with the
administration of Mr.. Jefferson, exercised
;the power to construct roads within the
: territories and there are so many and
obvious distinctions between this exercise
of power and that of making roa,ts within
the States, that the former has never been
considered subject to such may now be
considered the settled construction of the
power of the federal government upon
the subject.
Numerous applications have been, and
no doubt will continue to be, made for
grants of land. in aid Of the construction
OF railways. 1t is not believed to be !
within the intent anil meaning of the con- |
stitutiou, that the power to dispose of the .
g public domain, should he used other
wise than might be expected from pru-
dent proprietor, and therefore, that grants !
of land 10 aid IN the construction of roads |
should be restricted to cases, where it !
wnull be for the interest of a proprietor.
under like circumstances, thus to cOnlIi- |
L, & NI,,