Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-13

expense OF those seeking permanent residences,
and yet unless it be more strictly guarded, its
provisions more clearly defined, and its objects
more fully declared, it is feared such will be
the result.
During the last fiscal year II ,070, 1886 acres have
been surveyed and s,l90,0l7 acres brought into
market. Within the same period there were sold
for cash. ................... 7035, 735.07 acres
And the amount received
therefor. .S9, 2S5,535 SO
Located with military scrip
and land warrants. $1,000. 34l6S0226 acres
Swamp lands selected for
States. .............. 1l,O3as135s a
Selected on donations for
roads, &c................. 1,75I,9e319
Making total of......... 23,23S 31305 acres
Exhibiting an increase of 6, 952,24O. l7-lO0
acres over the previous year of lands sold for
cash, and a sensible .diminution in the amount
located with scrip and land warrants, and Sc
lected for States.
The quantity of land sold during the second
and third quarters of the present year, was
about 5,436,53s acres, being an increase of
about 1926 acres in cash of So, ga, 496 44)
on that of the corresponding quarters of the
last year.
This extraordinary difference is owing to the
remarkable advance in the price of real estate
over the whole country, and to the operation Of
the law graduating the prices of the public
lands.
The quantity of land granted to satisfy the
warrants issued to soldiers of all our wars
since 1880, amounts to 81, 427,6l2 acres To
satisfy Virginia land warrants, scrip embracing
S37 1856 acres has already been issued, and the
balance yet required is estimated at about
100000 acres.
In my last annual report, donations of pub
lie lands for the construction of great leading
highways in the new States, were recommend
ed for reasons therein stated. Although moth
ing has since transpired to change or modify
the views then entertained and advanced by
the Department yet it would be folly to attempt
to conceal the fact, that through the popular
ity Of the scheme, the apparent prospect of
being able to prostitute it to mere purposes of
gain has induced many projects which are to-
tally unworthy of public confidence. 1t may,
therefore, be difficult under existing circum-
stances, TO discriminate between those worthy
of governmental aid, and those urged for mere
speculative purposes. But If the application
proceeds from the Legislature of the State in
which the improvement is contemplated; and
upon a thorough examination and rigid scruti-
ny it is found to be promotive of the develop
ment of the country, and the enhancement OF
the value Of the adjacent lands, there can be
no reasonable objection to the grant. By con-
filming it 10 the land in the vicinity Of the pro-
jected thoroughfare, restricting the amount at
any time to be patented TO the construction and
completion of given number Of miles of road,
aud throwing such guards around the grant as
Legislative wisdom may DEVISE there can be
little danger Of the donation being improperly
used.
The application to Congress, at its last ses-
sion, contemplated the construction Of five
thousand and ffty-six miles of road-exclu-
sive Of the great Pacific railroad and its
branches-and assuming six sections to each
mile Of road, would have required in round
numbers twenty millions Of acres
In compliance with the urgent solicitations
Of the representatives Of the several portions
Of country where these contemplated improve
ments were to be made, large bodies Of land,
estimated at about thirty-one millions Of acres,
were withdrawn from market in anticipation
Of the grants being made, but this not having
been done, the lands were restored to market
Immediately after the adjournment Of Congress.
The withdrawal of lands from market under
such circumstances, was found on examina-
ton and reflection obnoxious TO several obiec-
tons, viz: its effects in retarding the settle
ment Of the country-its questionable propri.
ety--the difficulty in discriminating between
cases in which ii should be done, and those in
which it should not--and the injury that
might be inflicted upon the section Of country
the proposed grant was intended TO benefit, by
turning the tide Of emigration elsewhere. For
these and many other equally obvious reasons,
1t was determined that there should hereafter
be no reservation for such purposes until grants
are actually made by Congress.
w
mendation, that officers connected with the
survey and sale Of the public lands be prohib-
tied, under severe penalties, from becoming
purchasers. Such is the general rule in regard
TO ordinary agents and auctioneers, and It is
essential Tat it should be applied here-expe-
rience shows its absolute necessity.
After the passage Of the act of 1850, grant
ing the swamps ard overhowed lands TO the
several States in which they lie, many Of them
were entered at the Government Land Office
and now, the purchasers claim their patents
and are equitably entitled TO them.
1t is, therefore, recommended that, with the
concurrence Of the respective States in which
the lands are situate, the patents be issued, and
that, where the land was sold for cash, the
money be paid TO the State in which the land
lies; and, where il was located with scrip on
land warrants, the proper State be authorized
20 enter the amount of land, so located, from
the public lands in that State subject to pri
yate entry. As the lands belonged to the re
spective States, from the date Of the act, THU
will be most equitable, and, perhaps, satisfac
tory manner Of settling the difficulty. NSom'
mode should be speedily devised to relieve thu
General Government the States interested, ant
innocent purchasers from embarrassment.
II will be necessary again to extend the time
for the completion Of the work Of the commits
sion 10 ascertain and settle the private land
claims in California. II expires on the 9TH o.
March next; and, ifthe time is extended, Il IA
desirable It should be done sufficiently early in
the session 70 enable the Department 10 advise
the commissioners 10 continue these labors,
Notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions Of