The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-10

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
REPoRrToF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.
DEPARTMENT on THE IsrEaIon
December B. 1856.
Sin have the honor 10 submit to yoa brief history
Of The operations during the past Of this department
one OF he largest in the lis branches
numerous aAd extensive and in respect Homogeneous
hence the labor is perplexing and Intense.
Many interesting and important questions relative to
the public lands have arisen and the business Of the Cen
erai Land Once has increased that il has required all
It's energy and ability to promptly aud satisfac-
tofy the urgent demands Of the public but IL has been
% we managed that perhaps the bureau wos never in bet
ter condition
The surveys have been vigorously prosecuted and ex-
tended 70 the newyorganized Territories from which all
ready valuable reports have been received.
The quantity Of land ready TO be brought into market
during the coming viii he large and added 10 that
now subsct7o private entry, will il ID presumed be ample
10 supply the most extensive demand.
II has been the endeavor Of the Land Office in executing
the graduation law protect and the time pro-
mote far practicable the interests OF the actual bona
de sete aud 70 aid as little possible the schemes Of the
mere speculaor The law intended TO encourage and
the permanent resident but the provisions intend
ed 10 cay out this design very defective and have
given rise to many grave questions difficult Of solution.
The Office compelled TO require the production OF sat
siactory proof within reasonable period OF subsan-
tal compliance with the requirements Of the law
requisite to theissuc OF the patent This is the most i'm
frauds attempted to be perpeated under the law and
st il may become necessary for Congress 10 inerpose in
order that II nay be executed in its sprt otherwise It's
design may be frustrated and defeated
The quantity 81 land sold at graduated prices during
the last fiscal year was s72o4T4 acres amount received
therefor, S2,35ssl6.
of land have been surveyed Besides this the true
boundary line between Alabama and Florida has been
tabshed and many other surveys made to correct errors
and defects in cen surveys and to prepare for the dis
continuance OF e Office of surveyor general in several OF
the districts
No new land was brought into market however owing
TO the large body oflands already subject to entry.
Quantity sold FOR cash during the last fiscal
year ....-....-..lo p t2s,ozfsS
Received lhereicr, Sll,4s53 384 rs
Located with military scrip and land war
rants 345osooo
Swamp lands seeeted for States. 47o 1867
Selected donations for railroads, &c.... ll55soo
Making total fos-so
exhibitngan increase of s6ss 1881 the pre-
yious year Of lands sold for cash. and decrease OF 20I
222 26 located with scrip and warrants The guam
y that viii be entered the present fiscal year with land
warrants will be much larger the number being greatly
multiplied by the requirements Of the recent
law.
The amount OF lands sold during the second and third
quarters OF the present calendar year Is about b264t3
being OF about s2T625 acres In cash
S4742 o6 that Of the corresponding quarters Of the
preceding year.
This is owing in great measure to the extraordinary
advance and prosperity Of the country but IT Is feared in
some degree to tile iafueuce OF speculation
The qanty Of land covered by warrants ssued TO sol
ders OF all the In which The United States have been
engaged 81 e5S Az which enormous amount taken
in connection with liberal system Of PENSIONS evinces
eminent degree that the gratitude OF our country for
the patriotism Of its citizens Is impaired by the lapse
of time its extended with ibera
hand.
Under the several Of Congress for the satisfaction Of
Virginia military land there taken 600
Of the public lands Acts recent have been
passed for the issue Of scrip satisfy this class Of war
raAts which being faithfully and yet literally exc
cuicd. Although complaints have been made OF too
rigid construction of the law and against some OF the
rules and regulations prescribed under H. yet IL will be
found inquiry that every latitude has been given tina,
fair observance Of its provisions would admit IL has
been couended that the decisions Of the executive Of the
State obligatory and conclusive upon the department
uness fraud clearly shown. But with the greatest re
spcct for that funeonary and his opinions found my
self this point involved in this difficulty that Que ex-
ocuuve had allowed Ehst another executive bad ted
and that The laws under which acted required pre-
requisite the Of the scrip that tbs Secretary Of The
Interior the surrender Of the wsrn should be sats
fed "by Teisoa f he Proo, by additional testimony
thai any warrant thus surrendered fairly and asy s
sued in pursuance OF The Laws OF said Commonwealth Ia
some there proofs additional testimony
and could do otherwise under the express mandais
Of the law then reject suspend them Whist ia icchu
called termed dead well supernumerary service
n conformity with the opinion OF the Attorney General
has been allowed and the most liberal course pursued IL
the examination Of all the other rlasses With strong
disposition 10 favor The applicants persuaded thert
Of the claims that will mol bear the rcqsisit,
scrutiny, and arc not on their merits epnuca 10 alio"
auce.
Nv views respecting the policy, which has for mani
years been pursued of making grants Of public lands IL
alternate sections ia aid Of the consrueton Of great lead
log thorough farrs in the States have been 30 fully
expressed my former reports 10 render anything NOR
than brief ausion TO the subject unnecessary ritter
ste however tie importance of properly discriminating
between enterprises Of this character which deserve the fos
eng aid Of government and those which are not cet
for by public considerations and Of surrounding all suci
grants with proper restrictions aud guards 70 preyeu
add spd protect the interests OF the United States and
the people.
Such discrimination and protection win not, It Is be
eyed be found more difficult in this than In any obc
species Of legislation
The act u sth August ls4G, granted TO the State 0
Wisconsin Tor improving the Fox and Wisconsin rivers
and 10 connect the same by canal quantity OF LAM
equal onsha Of three sections in width on each sid
OF the For ristr and ne i3kts through which II passes
from It's mouth TO the point where the Portage cana
shall enter the same aud on each side Of said canal ron
one stream the other. This grant covered some 26o
433 acres o. which there selected and approve
20s3o3 acres, leaving 52,l30 acres; the same haFin
been sold BY The government previous 10 The grant
provision having Teen made Tor equivalent the gov
ernor Of Wisconsin selected 0os32 Of The Unite
States alternate sections which in spirit Of heera
reserved FROM sale subject 70 the further action
Congress for The purpose Of supplying the fcsiduum ID
subsequent act Of 1854 and the explanatory resolution
1855 were passed TO remove the doubts entertained rel
ave 10 the proper construction Of The act making III
grant These required the application to the act o
1855 Of the principles governing the grant TO the Stat
Of Indiana for canal purposes The Land ONCE assuming
these its guide determined by liberal construction
all the acts and the resolution give to Wisconsin ~
instead OF hrc sections for the width OF the grant and III
onAaf of the su OF the actual meanders Of both shore