Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-15
9ublie 9uenmtnt.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
December 3, 1855.

t IMPAIRMENT OF THE INTERIOR, .
December 3, 1855
Sir have the honor to submit TO you
brief history of the operations, during the past
year of this department. 1t is one OF the
largest in the Government Its branches are
numerous and extensive, and in no respect
homogeneous hence the labor is the more
perplexing and intense.
Many interesting and important questions
relative 10 the public lands have arisen, and
the business of the General Land Office has
SO increased, that it has required all its energy
and ability TO answer promptly and satisiacto-
rily the urgent demands of the public; but 1t
has been SO well managed that, perhaps, the
bureau was never in better condition.
The surveys have been vigorously prose.
cuted, and extended TO the newly organized
Territories, from which already valuable re-
ports have been received.
The quantity Of land ready to be brought
into market during the coming year Will be
large and added to that now subject to private
entry, will il is presumed, be ample to supply
the most extensive demand.
1t has been the endeavor of the Land Office,
in executing the graduation law, to protect
and, at the same time, promote, as tar as prac-
ticable, the interest of the actual bona .tide
settler, and to aid as little as possible the
intended to encourage and secure the perma-
nent resident; but the provisions intended to
carry out this design are very defective, and
have given rise TO many grave questions diff.
cult of solution. The Office was compelled TO
require the production Of satisfactory proof,
within reasonable period, of a substantial
compliance with the requirements of the law
as a prerequisite TO the issue OF the patent.
This is the most important safeguard that
could be adopted against the numerous frauds
attempted to be perpetrated under the law,
and still it may become necessary for Congress
to interpose, in order that it may be executed
in its spirit; otherwise its design may be frus-
trated and defeated.
The quantity OF land sold at graduated
prices during the last fiscal year was S,720,474
acres amount received therefor, S2,35S,9lS.
In the year ending the 30th of September
last, l5,3l5,23S.l8 acres Of land have been
surveyed. Besides this, the true boundary
line between Alabama and Florida has been
established, and many other surveys made to
correct errors and defects in ancient surveys,
and to prepare for the dscontinuance Of the
office of surveyor general in several Of the
districts No new land was brought into market,
however, owing 10 the large body of lands
already subject to entry.
The quantity OF lands sold for cash Acres
during the last fiscal year was. Is, 72e, 524 SIS
Received therefor, 81 .4S5,3S4 rs.
Located with military scrip and land
warrants. l.3A5. $4,000
Swamp lands elected for Ststes... 747O74662
Selected on donations for railroads,
&c......... ............. ll,55SOo
Making total of. "a ,557, 400 so
Exhibiting an increase of s,693,789 81 acres
over the previous year, Of lands sold for cash
and a decrease Of 2,07l ,222.26 acres located
with scrip and warrants. The quantity tina,
will be entered the present fiscal year with land
warrants will be much larger, the number
being greatly multiplied by the requirements
of the recent bounty land law.
The amount of lands sold during the second
and third quarters of the present calendar year
is about 6,264, l63 acres; being an increase OF
about 827, 625 acres in cash $477,442 06) on
that of the corresponding quarters of the pre-
ceeding year.
This is owing, in great measure, to the ex-
traordnary advance and prosperity of the coun-
try, but, it is feared, in some degree, to the
influence of speculation.
The quantity Of land covered by warrants
issued to soldiers Of all the wars in which the
United States has been engaged, is 7,95S,4l2
acres, which enormous amount, taken in con-
nection with our liberal system of pensions,
eyinces, in an eminent degree, that the graft.
tude of our country for the patriotism of its
citizens is not impaired by the lapse of time,
nor its acknowledgment extended with an
nliberal hand.
Under the several acts of Congress. for the
satisfaction of Virginia military land warrants
there were taken 100000 acres Of the public
lands. Acts more recent have been passed for
the issue Of scrip to satisfy this class of war
rants, which are being faithfully and yet liber.
ally executed. Although complaints have been
made Of a too rigid construction of the law,
and against some of the rules and regulations
prescribed under it, yet it will be found, on
inquiry, that every latitude has been given that
fair observance of its provisions would admit
1t has been contended that the decisions of the
Executive Of the State are obligatory and con.
elusive upon the Department, unless fraud il
clearly shown. But with the greatest respect
for that functionary and his opinions, found
myself, on this point involved in this difficulty
that one Executive bad allowed what another
Executive had rejected, and that the law under
which / acted required, as prerequisite to the
issue Of the scrip, that the Secretary of the
Interior, on the surrender Of the warrant, should
be satisfied, "by rerision Of the proofs, or Jz
additional testimony, that any warrant thus
surrendered was fairly and Justly issued, in
pursuance Of the laws OF said Commonwealth -
In some cases there were no proofs nor add.
tional testimony, and ] could not do otherwise,
under the express mandate Of the law, than
reject or suspend them. What is technically
termed dead" as well as "supernumerary ser.
vice." in conformity with the opinion OF the
Attorney General, has been allowed, and the
most liberal course pursued in the examina.
ton Of all other classes. With strong dispo-
sition to favor the applicants, am persuaded
there are some Of the claims that will not bear
the requisite scrutiny, and are not, on their
merits, entitled TO allowance.
Ny views respecting the policy which has
for many years been pursued, of making grants
ofpublic lands in alternate sections in aid of the
construction Of great leading thoroupbfares in
the new States, have been so fully expressed in
my former reports, as TO render anything more
than a brief allusion to the subject unnecessary.
l reiterate, however, The importance of properly
discriminating between enterprises Of this char
acter which deserve the fostering aid OF Govern.
mani and those which arc not oallad TO- l.,