The daily union., 1856-12-23

The contested quantity in Arkansas may exceed that in
the foregoing estimate by reason of contest on the part
the railroad under the law making grant To aid in the
construction of railroad from Cairo to Fulton, with
branches to the Mississippi and Fort Smith The period
allowed the contestants 10 present proof was extended
upon the application OF the governor OF and senators from
the State to the 20h October 1856, and afidavs en-
bracng of the quantity in the aforesaid est
mate have been received in behalf Of the railroad claim
ants and Others expected. ..
By resolution of the 7th May last, the Senate called
upon the department report what legislation necessary
to give full effect to the swamp grant and quiet conflicts
report was made and certain legislation recommended
The subject is adverted to with the suggestion that
the legislation most requisite is first TO fix limit to the
time within which selections be made and next
bona d settlers who have gone upon the lands
lying on the State title in of the rejection of the States
claim.
The swamp-land business in the State of California is
yet entirely unsettled although important correspondence
has taken place the subject between this office and the
authorities OF the State In May last the register Marys
vile reported that many surveyors in the State had been
returning to the authorities swamp tracts of land
shown by the pats to be of that characters that by
OF the legislature parties allowed to take up claims of
800 acres OF Swamp and overowed lands" and those
veyors employed in locating the same that in many
cases within his knowledge settlers in good faith
who bad complied with the United States pre-emption
laws, found their Glands improvements and dwelling
houses covered up by these swamp and overowed land
claims taken up speculation and that in some instances
the lands thus claimed valued at $50 per acre.
copy OF the communication to this effect was transmitted
to the governor of California; and of action sug
gesed between the authorities of the State and general
government and that before any sales In that part of the
State conference should be had with authorities of the
general government TO innocent parties from
conflict and loss OF title; at the time the views of
this office presented touching the character of the
lands which properly fall within the purview of the grant
1t is also proposed speedily practicable relieve this
business in California from embarrassment and to use
proper efforts to place the upon legal bssis Seven
one patents for swamp selections have been issued COW
erng T6b pages nine lists covering 6S2 pages been
approved and transcripts forwarded to the
sides which the business has given rise to very heavy
correspondence,
Under the acts of the last session of Congress making
liberal grants OF land TO several States aid in the con
sructon OF between thirty and forty railroads therein
named within their respective mi necessary prelm
mary steps have been taken by this office for carrying
them into effect As usual under similar laws the lands
falling within the probable limits of the grants were
promptly Withdrawn from sale and location to fulfil
the intention OF Congress- which otherwise might have
been frustrated account of the increased demand which
was reasonable to presume would arise for lands In the
vicinity OF the roads stimulated by the prospect of large
gains incident to these improvements The sudden with
drawal nom market OF such important bodies of land al
most simultaneously in seven different States had eu
dency TO produce great public and private
All the means however in the power of this Office have
been employed in Its correspondence with the executive
officers of the States interested the speedy
mission Of the maps of survey Of the roads In order to
enable us TO restore to market early as possible all
lands withdrawn, which, the receipt of such maps
should be found not actually needed to satisfy the several
grants.
The State of Iowa was the first to accept as she did hy
act OF the legislature which had been specially con-
vened for the purpose The State passed on the
l4th July last and disposes of the grant for each road
arly-incorporated companies.
The maps Of two Of the roads--the mississippi and
Missouri river and the Dubuque and Pacific" "dta-
ntely fxed'-were the first received and maps o. tho
others have since come to hand The adjustment Of the
grant now in progress vita the cooperation of the requ-
arauhorized agents OF the State will be completed
rapidly as possible
The maps Of final location Of the Alabama and Flor
ida being the road from Montgomery in the direction Of
PENSACOLA ana OF ats continuation TO the aforementioned
Mobile road In Alabama and Of the Louisiana portion
the New Orleans and jackson road been on
all OF which such official action will be had may be ad-
missbe preliminary to the legislation Of those States for
accepting the grants.
IL understood that the legislature Of the State Of
Wisconsin have just accepted the grant for her roads by
the passage of an act authorizing certain companies to
ceive the grant Of lands 70 that State.
The following an Approximate estimate Of the quantity
OF lands which will probably each State under
those new grants after deductng estimated States and
other disposas Of lands within the prescribed limits Via