Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-12
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Of land to the States Of Arkansas and Missouri aid
in the construction of railroad from point the
Mississippi opposite the mouth of the Ohio river via
Little Rock, to the Texas boundary Fulton, in Ar
Kansas with branches to Fort Smith and the Missssip
pi river
BE enacted By the Senate and House Of Representatives. of
the United States Of america Congress assembled That
the right of way through the public lands be and the
same is hereby granted to the States Of Arkansas and
Missouri for the construction of railroad from point
the Mississippi river opposite the mouth Of the Oho
in the State Of Missouri, via Little Rock to the Texas
boundary line Fulton, in Arkansas with branches
from Little Rock, in Arkansas to the Mississippi river
and to Fort Smith, in said State with the right take
necessary materials of earth, stone timber for the
construction thereof Provided That the right of way
shall not exceed one hundred feet each side of the
length thereof and copy of the survey Of said road
made under the direction Of the Legislatures Of the said
States shall be forwarded the proper local land Offices
respectively, and to the General Land Office at Washing
ton city, within ninety DAYS after the completion of the
Sect q And 5eaf further enacted That there be and is
hereby granted to the States of Arkansas and Missouri
respectively for the purpose of aiding in making the rail-
road and branches aforesaid within their respective
limits every alternate section Of land designated by
even numbers for six sections in width on each side Of
said road and branches but in it shall appear that
the United States have when the line of said
road Is definitely fixed by the authority aforesaid sold
any part Of any section hereby granted that the right
OF has attached the same then it shah be
lawful for any agent agents. to be appointed by the
Governor of said State select subject to the approval
aforesaid from the lands of the United States con-
tguous the tier of sections above specified SO much
land in alternate sections parts Of sections shall be
equal TO such lands the United States have sod
which the right Of preempton has attached aforesaid
which lands, being equal in quantity to onehaf Of six
sections in width each side Of said road the States Of
Arkansas and Missouri shall and hold to and for the
and purpose aforesaid Provided That the lands to
be located shall in be further than fifteen miles
from the line Of the road Ind provided further That the
lands hereby granted shall be applied in the construction
Of said road and shall be disposed Of only the work
progresses and shall be applied to other purpose what
soever: ~ provided further That any and oil lands
served to the United States by any act Of Congress- for
the purpose Of aiding in any object Of internal improve
ment in any for any purpose whatsoever, be
and the hereby reserved to the United States
from the operation Of this act except far may be
found to locate the routes Of the said railroad
and branches through such reserved lands.
Sect 3. And be further enacted That the sections and
parts Of sections of land which by such grant shall remain
to the United States within six miles each side Of said
road shall not be sold for less than double the minimum
price Of the public lands when sold.
Sect. A. And be further enacted, That the said lands
hereby granted to the said States shall be subject to the
disposal Of the Legislatures thereof for the purposes
aforesaid and other and the said railroad and branches
shall be and remain public highway for the use OF the
Government Of the United States free from toll other
charge upon the transportation Of any property or troops
OF the United States.
Sect g. And be further enacted That the lands here
by granted said States shall be disposed OF by said
States only in the foowing that is to say that
quantity Of land exceeding hundred and twenty
sections, and included within a continuous length OF
twenty miles Of said road, may be sold and when the
Governors Of said State States shall certify to the Sec
rotary Of the Interior that twenty continuous miles OF said
road is completed, then another like quantity Of land
hereby granted may be sold; and from time to time
until said road is Completed and II said road Is not COM
peted within ten years. further sales shall be made
and the land unsold shall tothe United States
Sect o. And BE- IL Further enacted, That the United
States mail shall at all times be transported on the said
road and branches under the direction Of the Post Office
Department such price Congress may by law direct
Approved, February 8, 1853.