The Empire County argus., 1854-08-19
approved 29th June, 1854.
rPnhlic. No. ell
AN ACT to aid The Territory OF Minnesota in the consr


AN ACT to aid The Territory Minnesota in the construc
ton Of Il railroad therein.
Be eoacea dy tie Sehate and MuseT Representatives,
# Me Jnjtei Sot,S # AaqcU an Cotq,eo~ aSxt,nd!ed
That there be- and is hereby granted 10 the Territory
Minnesota for the purpose OF aiding the construction Of
a railroad from the southern line Of said Territory COM
mencinG al point between township range, nine and
enteen thence bv the way OF ~ Paul, by the most pac
cable route to the eastern Inc Of SAID Territory in The d
ion Of Lake superior every alternate section OF land
designated by dd uumbels for six sections in width
each side of said road within sid Territory, but in
shall appear that lhe United States have, when the line
OF SAID road Is definitely fixed by he au hority aforesaid
sold any section part thereof granted aforesaid
or that the right OF re-empon has attached 20 the same
then it shall be lawful for any agent agents be ap
pointed by the governor of said Territory subject tile
approval of the Secretary OF the interior to select from The
lands of the Uni cd States nearest TO the tier Of sections
above specified much land in alternate sections parts
OF sections, shall be equ TO such lands the United
STATES have sold TO which The right of pre-emptiou has
attached as aforesaid which lands hus selected in lieu Of
those sod and to which presumption has attached aore
said together with the sections parts OF sections desig
mated by odd numbers aforesaid. and appropriated
aforesaid shall be held hy the Territory of MINES
ota for The and purpose aforesaid: P,~uided That
the lands to be located shall in be further
than fifteen miles from the line of the road in each
case and selected for and account of said read Pr0U
ded fuither That the lands hereby granted shall be
csivev applied in the construction Of that road for which
it granted and selected and shall be disposed of only
the work progresses and The shall be appl ed
other purpose whatever: AnG prO0idei fnrther Thai
and all lands heretofore reserved 10 the United States
by &C, of Congress, or in any other manner by
OF internal Improvements, or for any other purpose whaSO
be- and the hereby reserved 10 the United
States from the operation OF this act except far
may be found necessary 10 locate the of said rail-
road hrought such reserved lands in which the right
of way only shall be granted subject 10 the approval Of
the President Of the United States.
SEC. 4nd be u tartheT enQct That the sections and
paris OF of land which by sach grants shall
main TO the United States, within six miles each side cf
said rod hail not be sold for less than double the mini
mum price.
SEC s. And be 10 fpatafr eaactca That the said land.
hereby granted he said Territory shall be subject
the disposal of any legislature thereof for the purpose
aforesaid and other shall they to the benefit
the said railroad shall be and remain public highway for
the of the government of the United Safes free from
toll or other charge upon the transportation OF any prop
eriy troops Of he United aes shall any of said
lands become subject To private entry until the same shall
have been first offered public sale at the increased
price.
SEC L. 4AG Le Ii further enacted That the lands hereby
granted to said Territory, shall be disposed of by said
Itihoy only IN manner following, that Is TO say, no tile
shall vest in the said Territory OF Minnesota shall any
patent issue for any part of the lands herenbeore
TONED, until continuous length of twenty miles of said
road shall be completed through the lands hereby grant
and when the Secretary of the Interior shall be satisfied
that any twenty miles OF said road completed, then
hundred and twenty sections and included within Contin
length OF twenty miles Of said road and from time
to time, patents shall be issued like upnn the
completion OF each additional twenty miles of said road
untl shall be completed and If said road not compile
ted within years, further sale shall be made and
the land uusod shal revert to he United States.
SEC. AJHE he ID further eHactel, That the United
States mail shall be ported at all times said railroad
under The direction d lhe Post Office Department AT such
price Congress may by law direct Pro0i { That
Ill such price fixed by law the Postmaster General shall
have the power to determine the same. .s.
Approved 29th June, 1854