The Empire County argus., 1854-09-02
Approved goth June, 1854.
Public. No. 81
Public No 81.
AN ACT to aid the Territory of Minnesota in the construc
nf q railroad therein

AN ACT to aid the Territory of Minnesota the consruc
ton of a railroad therein.
Be enacted By the Senate and House Of Representatives
Of tie Uitei States Of America in C0ngreSs assembled,
That there be- and is hereby granted to the Territory OF
Minnesota for the purpose of aiding in the construction OF
a railroad from the southern line Of said Territory
mencug point between township ranges nine and sev-
eneen thence by the way of 81 Paul. by the most pract-
cable route to the eastern line of said Territory in the d
recon Of Lake Superior every alternate section OF land
designated by odd numbers for six sections in width on
each side Of said road within said Territory, but in case
it snail appear that the United States have when the line
Of said road is definitely fixed by he authority aforesaid
sold any section any part thereof granted as aforesaid
that the right of rreempon has attached to the same,
then shall be lawful for any agent agents to be ap-
pointed by the governor of said Territory subject TO the
approval of the Secretary of the Interior select from the
lands Of the United States nearest TO the tier of sections
above specified much land in alternate sections parts
of sections shall be equal to such lands the United
attached aforesaid which lands thus selected in lieu of
those sod and to which preempon has attached as aore
sad together with the sections parts OF sections desg
mated by odd numbers as aforesaid, and appropriated
aforesaid shall be held by the Territory OF Mnnes-
oa for the use and purpose aforesaid PToaded: That
the lands to be so located shall in be further
than fifteen miles from the line of the road in each
case and selected for and account of said road roo
de farthe, That the lands hereby granted shall be
csyev applied in the construction of that road for which
granted and selected and shall be disposed of only
the work progresses, and the shall be applied to
other purpose whatever: And Pr0otded urter. That
any and all lands heretofore reserved to the United States
bv anv act of Congress- or in any other by
peten authority, for the purpose OF aiding In any object
of internal Improvement for any other purpose whatso
be- and the hereby reserved to the United
States from the operation of this act except so far as 1t
may be found necessary locate the route of said rail
road hrough such reserved lands in which case the right
of way only shall be granted subject to the approval OF
the President of the United States.
SEC @ And be it further enacted That the sections and
parts of sections of land which by such grants shall
main to the United States within six miles each side Of
said road shall be sold for less than double the mini
mum price.
SEC g. 4nd be 1T further enaeted That the said lands
hereby granted to the said Territory shall be subject to
the disposal of any legislature thereof for the purpose
aforesaid and other shall they enure to the benefit
of any company heretofore constituted and organized and
the said railroad shall be and remain pubc highway Tor
the of the government of the United States free from
toll other charge upon the transportation OF any prop
ery troops of the United States nor shall any OF sad
lands become subject to private entry until the same shall
have been first offered at public sale at the increased
price.
SEC T. And he 1t further enacte That the lands hereby
granted to said Territory shall be disposed of by said
Territory only in following that is to say no title
shall vest the said Territory of Minnesota nor shall any
patent issue for any part of the lands herenbeore men
Toned until continuous length of twenty miles of said
road shall be completed through the lands hereby granted
and when the Secretary of the Interior shall be satisfied
that any twenty miles Of said road completed, then
patent shall issue for quantity of land not exceeding one
hundred and twenty sections aud included within contn
length of twenty miles of said road and so from time
to time patents shall be issued IN like manner upon the
completion Of each additional twenty miles OF said road
until shall be completed, and if said road is not compile
ted within years, further sale shall be made, and
the land unsold shall revert to the United States.
Sec .. And be ID further enacted That the United
States mail shall be transported at all times said railroad
under the direction of the Post Office Department at such
price Congress may by law direct PrO0ided That
til such price is fixed by law the Postmaster General shall
have the power to determine the same.
Approved 29th June, 1854.