The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-05-26

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corners Of quarter sections at every half
mile viii be planted equi-distant between
the corners of sections at every mile, and
the township corners viii be constructed
at every sixth mile. counting from the
base line south in Kansas; and begin
ming with township one south, of range
one east. the corners will be planted SIM
ilarly to the foregoing, the township num-
bers progressing south, of course.
Judging from the printed map st
hand, it is estimated that the principal
meridian line. as proposed, will pass
near the junction of '.Solomon's Fork
with the Kansas, and between it and the
Republican Fork" of that river. This,
however. is very doubtful; it may pass
to the west of the junction of "Solomon's
Fork with the Kansas. The principal
base, at some time hereafter, may be ex-
tended to the western limits of the Ter
ritoriss of Kansas and Nebraska !; butt
present proposed breadth of I08 miles
will not interfere with any Indian claims,
and be likely to prove sufficient to in
clude the present settlements and pros
pectiye wants of settlers in both Terri
tories within the region to which the in
dian title has been extinguished.
After having accomplished all the work
on the principal base linc-to the extent
of l08 miles or eighteen ranges in width
I-indispensibly necessary to make that
line efficient for all future practicalopera-
tons for surveying in both Territories,
the next operation will be to determine
on a working programme for making
available surveys of the particular bodies
of land, both in Nebraska and Kansas,
requisite to meet the wants of the -earli-
est pioneers. Such programme can best
be prepared by yourself, after having
accumulated from reliable sources and by
personal observation, in both Territories.
the necessary preliminary information
for that purpose. 1t is only possible for
this Office to suggest the methods that
may be adopted for accomplishing those
practical purposes, assuming the ground
that certain sections of the country with
in given distance from the Missouri
river ought to be surveyed in advance OF
certain. other portions of country lying
stiil further to the west from that river
but while so doing. the suggestions ,ot
this Office have to be based on very im-
perfect maps. and consequently are liable
to modification according to facts 10 be
ascertained.
You will therefore understand, that on
the principles of survey adopted in Ore
gon,- and whichare made applicable to
your duties, you are to propose the point
on the principal base line wherefrom to
start a guide meridian to regulate the
earliest surveying operations in running
out the exterior of townships, which
ranges Of townships win all count from,
and lie east OF, the principal meridian,
and the townships will count north or
south of the base line, according to To-
cality. For instance: suppose that a
guido meridian were started from the
base line at the southwestcornero of town
ship No. Is east, being thirty-six miles
distant from the Missouri river-the
question is, would such guide meridian
be sufficiently to the west to include the
most urgent demands for surveys by the
earliest settlers? In case it be, you will
start such meridian from said point, and
survey the same with great exactitude to
the Missouri river on the north, and on
that meridian establish the township Sec
ton and quarter section boundaries in
the mode before prescrihed-as on prin-
cipal meridian to be-for the government
of the Nebraska surveys north of the
base line ;, and afterwards continue the
same meridian south to sufficient extent
to embrace the earliest settlements in
Kansas Territory, and also establish
theron the boundary corners for govern
ing the surveys south of the base line in
the mode before mentioned, as ON the
principal meridian-to be-south.
From the guide meridian north, in
Nebraska, at intervals of every fourth
township. or twenty -four miles, you viii
survey standard parallels or correction
lines east; and to the Missouri and from
the same meridian south, in Kansas, al
intervals of every .fvs townships, ol
fevery thirty miles, similar standard Oh
correction lines are to be surveyed cas-
to the Missouri river, or west boundary
of the State of Missouri; and on sucl
standard lines the proper township, sec
ton, and quarter section corners are t.
be established for every township in eacl
range between the guide meridian ant
the Missouri river. Thus the township
and subdivisional corners will take
: fresh start from each standard or correc
ton line at the intervals mentioned re
spectively; and the township and sub
divisional surveys which will start from
the standard 6eiow will close by merid
!, lanai lines on the standard or correction
J lime above, in every instance, so tina
double corners may be expected to exis
on such standards, because of CONVEX
. gence of the meridian lines, but are in
admissible under other circumstances.
i In order to insure the greatest attain
J able accuracy in measuring the base AMI
meridian lines (including the guide me
J ridian, those lines are to be double
: chained by two sets of chainmen-th
one following Immediately in the rear Q
8 the other, while the deputy or his as
i sistant is to be always at hand to adjus
: any discrepancy that may arise
At the point of Intersection of tn
base with the proposed principal merid
t ian, conspicuous and enduring monu
: ment Is to be constructed 20 signaiize tn
spot. Such should be large ston
t provided single one sufficiently larg
r can be conveniently had for the pul
pose, with the initial letters for Kansa
, and Nebraska chisseiled into its sout
/ and north sides, respectively. in add
! ton to the appropriate marks and figure
i denoting its character as a snryeyin
. boundary; otherwise it may be pil
of stones of adequate dimensions, cor
t structed around a large stake well set
T the ground, and with the initials an
marks as aforesaid. In ease stone al
: not to be had, the intersection monr
, ment viii be conica mound, construeI
! ed of earth, dug from four pits aroun