The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-13

wears has elapsed since the approyas made and yet
up TO the present time only one patent embracing 2s
s6045 acres issued the State another learn
is being recorded having been signed making the aggre
gate of lands patented eG3939 acres while Others are
being engrossed for signature.
The correspondent of the Tribune is very lavish in his
of vulgar vuperaon and apparently innocent Of any
attempt TRUTH of which be to have Wholesome
horror" He arrives at his utmatum, however when he
states that aGoy Price visited the President and after
negotiation of several weeks Notwithstanding the inior
nation the Of the President succeeded in get
ting him to order the Land Office department
issuing the patents for those lands which had been select
ed fraudnlendy."
This sentence is tissue of flsebood. Gov. Prices
stay in this city did exceed few days and the Land
Office did not receive word of direction Of recon-
endation from the President any member Of his cab
net relative patenting the swamp lands in Missouri
neither did the President the Land Office possess any
evidence that the lands approvGee Of the char
aeter intended to be granted by tho On the contrary,
we have before stated period OF nearly three years
had elapsed their selection and of nearly
since their approval without question as to their character
being raised by any party and it would have been I'M
reasonable well UNJUST to have longer delayed
rymg provisions oi INV Ny issuing Pa,ehS
on the governors request therefor
The correspondent Of the Tribune having taken great
pains to charge that tho Lanl Office has made contrary
and decisions upon the subject of The preference
right of entry, acquired by successful contesr~s Of the
States claim, deem it worth while to state in brief
FORM the real Of the Instructions heretofore issued
by that office under the sanction of the Secretary Of the
Interior 1t is held that where tract of LAND has been
selected under the swanpland law, but not approved
SUCH the party fling the first affidavit which considered
in the light application to enter, win, il
successful in the conrovesyat is to say if he proves
the land to be dry and fit for eultivation--have a
preference right of entry and ths is based upon the
view that the selection of the land does not
sttue such withdrawal thereof from market is
templaed by the laws and instructions But where the
claim of the State has been approved b. the Secretary
the INTERIOR and the fact of such approval communicated
the land officers, aud noted their books such pref
right of entry be acquired because The approval
is an absolute withdrawal of the lands from Market and
the tract books Of the Land Office afford the necessary evil
dence TO all parties To permit any party to acquire a
preference right to enter lands situated would be in di-
contrarey to the spirit Of the laws and to the uniform
practice of the department
That lands have been selected under the swamp-land
law which not intended to be granted thereby we
have disposition deny. very liberal construction
has been given to the law by parties acting for of the
States and in other instances may have been chosen
to select lands whose elastic conscenccs sck not at the
preparation of fraud but the vigilance of The govern
ment officials resulted is believed in the discovery
Of every of the kind and the prompt rejection of the
States claim to the lands The system pursued ofhear
ing all parties who file adavits controyerng the evidence
upon which the selections based is working adni-
rably and while satisfied that the patents be-
issued are in all respects correct douot not but that
those yet to be issued will embrace only such lands the
law inteaded TO Convey.