Washington sentinel., 1853-12-22

act That time was further extended for FIVE
years by the act of June 26, l84S, (Statutes at
Large, vol. Q, page 240) This time expired
on the 26th June last, and, consequently, since
that period, warrants Of this character cannot
be located, though many are outstanding nor
can any be issued, though meritorious claims
of this character exist No possible reason
can be urged why this class of claims should
not le placed upon the same basis with those
under the act of 1850; and it is recommended
that the provisions of that law and of the act
Of 22d March, 1852, Ito make land warrants
assignabe," &C., should be extended to them.
In connexion with this subject, renew the
Recommendation made in my last report,
that all warrants for military services, and
all patents thereon, be issued in the name
of the person who rendered the service /;
and that the title enure to the benefit Of
the heirs, assignees, or devisees, as the case
may be. Such measure would relieve great
many cases where the claimant died before
warrants issued, leaving neither widow nor
minor children to whom alone, under the law,
warrants could issue in such cases.
For the reasons given in my former report,
it is again recommended that all persons who
rendered military service in any war in which
the United States have been engaged since sew
enteen hundred and ninety without reference
to length Of service, be allowed an equal amount
OF land, which, with that previously granted
would be equal te the quantity of quarter sec-
ton, or one hundred and sixty acres. Nothing
could be more just to many who have rendered
valuable services to their country, and cheer
fully and bravely perilled their lives in its de-
fence, and nothing would probably extend
more timely and widespread relief to most
meritorious class of our citizens.
a. The titles to the lots in the town of Sault
Ste. Marie have not yet been finally acted up-
on. The business Of that land district was so
confused and involved, that it was found indis-
pensably necessary to send special agent,
with all the returns Of sales and locations, to
revise its records and put them in order. He
was also directed to examine into the condition
of the titles to the town, for which instructions
had been issued long previous, and in relation
to which nothing had then been heard. He
discharged those duties promptly and efficient
ly, and in much shorter space of time than
was expected; and finding complaints that
full notice had not been given to all con-
cerned of the action on the town lots, he recon-
mended that the evidence relative thereto be
returned for that purpose, which was done.
The whole subject, it is expected, will be closed
next summer. 1t is specially recommended
that fire-proof building be authorized for the
protection of the archives of this district.
Numerous illegal subdivisions have been
made by some of the land Offices in the north
west, aud the lands have been sold in accord
ance with them. It would be much easier to
confirm these sales and subdivisions than to
unsettle the titles by declaring them void. Le-
gislation to that effect is therefore suggested.
Some of the relief laws authorize the closing
and patenting Of all entries below specified
prices, where certain amount had been paid.
Many cases inconsistent with these laws, and
not provided for by them, were closed and
patented under Them and for similar reasons
to the foregoing, the same course is recon-
mended.
There is a subject to which would specially
and earnestly call the attention Of Congress.
1t Is the passage Of an act similar in its pro-
visions to that now existing in relation to the
clerks and others in this Office, and expressly
interdicting any register, receiver, surveyor
general, deputy surveyor, or any other officer
who may, any manner. be connected with the
disposal or survey of the public lands, from
making any purchase thereof, directly or indi-
rectly, under the penalty, upon conviction, Of
dismissal from Office and fine.
The reservations for naval timber have not |
heretofore been profitable to the government.
for the reason that the laws require selections
to be made by the President. II is recon-
mended that an act be passed ipso .facto resery-
ing all lands npon which such timber is found
growing; and that collectors of ports be pro- |
hibited, under proper penalties, from granting
cearances to vessels having cargoes of such |
timber, except on satisfactory evidence Of the |
locality from whence it was cut, and that the
and was private property.
The muniments of titles under the credit |
system, that existed prior to 1920 are fast 90 |
ing to decay, and are constantly subject to loss |
Or destruction These should all be recorded |
N books to be provided for the. purpose, as the
want Of them might, and probably would, lead
o endless litigation, and to the loss, BY many |
Individuals, Of their lands. They are, in fact,
he landed history of past generation, which
'ould not be replaced by memory or tradition; |;
consequently should be placed where theywould
'e lmperlshable. 1t is, therefore, recommend
d that this Office be authorized to do SO. when
yer yer the pressure Of other duties will permit.
The attention Of Congress IS invited to the
imperfect condition of some of the records II
his office, Of Virginia military patents issued
,rior to 1884, for lands in Ohio. and the mode
# remedying the evil heretofore proposed is
gain suggested; also to the propriety of pre-.
cribing, by legislation, suitable measures for
scertaining and settling the claims in Oregon
nd Washington Territories, under the treaty
Nth Great Britain Of 10Th August, 1876. The
ettlements in these territories are rapidly ex.
ending, and in view ofthe donations made to the
ettlers therein, it is indispensably necessary
hat the claims under that treaty should be
nally disposed of to prevent conflict Of titles
md harassing litigation. /,
The numerous, and in some cases extensive,
eservations, which are no longer required for
ne purposes for which they were originally
made, materially affect the settlement and sale
the public lands in several localities There
J no provision of law for the disposal of lands
overed BY such reservations, except the act of
8l9, which authorizes the Secretary of War to
ell abandoned military reservations The re-
ommendation is therefore renewed, that this
ffice be authorized to bring such lands into
narket where not improved, under the laws
ow regulating the sale of the public lands !
nd to dispose Of those on which improvements
ave been made, under such regulations as /
hall be approved by the President.
Z. IL u ~ 3 Il