Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-18
Our National Domain.
ABSTRACT OF THE GENERAL LANR OFF
REPORT.

kEPUkT.
The report from the General Land Office
is of more than usual length, covering a pe-
riod of five quarters, ending Both Septem-
Der, 1856, and giving full information touch
ing the many and various subjects of its iu-
risdiction, and all the operations of the land
system of the United States lands sold and
otherwise disposed OF, during the period COW
cred by the report. There were sold for cash
10062, ,l07, go acres of the public lands; and
located with military bounty land warrants
9,336, $40 acres selected and reported under
swamp grants, 6,936, 800; and appropria-
ted by the railroad grants of May, June aud
August, 1856. (as -estimated), 13, 755. $50
acres-making grand aggregate Gncluding
.a.her internal improvement selections) of
II, 6,396,58 acres of the public domain
disposed of during the five quarters ending
30th September, 1856. This is an increase
of millions of acres over the quantity dis
posed of during the five quarters preceding.
While the sales for cash have greatly fallen
of, the disposal of Congressional grants and
locations of land warrants has more than
proportionally increased The tables accom-
panying the report showing the sales, loca-
tons, swamp selections, &C., are very full.
Lands to no considerable extent have been
proclaimed and offered at public sale during
the year 1856 the present policy of the Of
fee being to secure them to the actual settlers
under the pre-emption laws rather than to
favor speculation therein, by precipitating
public sales of large quantities beyond the
means of the settlers to purchase. With the
view of making this the permanent policy of
the Office, the report recommends slight
modification Of the pra-emption laws. Other
amendments for the equitable adjustment of
conflicting settlements upon unsurveyed
lands are recommended.
SURVEYS.
The surveys during the year ending 30th
September, 1856, of which plats have been
returned and approved, amount to 16,673,-
500 acres, of which 8, ,99l ,884 acres are on the
Pacific coast. Extensive surveys have been
made which have not been reported. The
surveys of 1856 and those reported in 1856
amount to Al, liz, ,443 acres, of hich IL ,573,
654 acres are in California, and the Terrific
res of Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Nebras-
ka, and Utah. The quantity of new lands,
now liable to be disposed of, is greater than
at any previous period of the history of our
land system. IL many of the land States the
surveying operations are confined to re-sur-
veys, corrections, and the surveys of towns,
islands and private claims; and it is expect
ed that the archives will be in readiness for
delivery to seven CT these States, within two
or three years.
The public surveys, within the last year,
on the Pacific and in our new Territories,
have been extended with extraordinary ra-
pidity. In California the surveyed lines for
base, meridians, standard parallels, town.
ships, sections &C., are, in their aggregate
length, greater than the circumference of the
globe. Maps in duplicate, equal to 1,261
plats, with complete map of the State, have
been prepared, and important suggestions are
presented in regard to the auriferous and ag-
ricultural lands. In Oregon and Washington
Territories Indian hostilities have seriously
impeded operations under the surveying
system; yet, notwithstanding this, considera-
bic progress has been made. In Oregon be-
tween the Cascade mountains and the ocean,
the surveys of the public lands and of dona-
ton rights are far advancing towards COM
pletion; and it is now proposed to. extend the
Oregon surveying district east of the Cascade
range, whilst in Washinton Territory town.
ship lines have been run on Whitby's Island,
some returns have been made under former
contracts of the Willamette meridian, 36
miles of the third standard parallel have been
run west to Gray,s harbor, and 80 miles of
the seventh standard passing through the
vast expanse of the Admiralty Inlet and
Whitby's Island.
In Kansas the surveys of the public and
Indian trust land have been pushed forward
with activity. Notwithstanding the severity
of the last winter, the disturbances in the
country, and the difficulties incident to the
execution of surveys under treaty stipulations,
surveys to the extent of hundreds of thou
sands of acres have been recorded, plats OF
the same prepared, and the eastern portion
of the Delaware trust lands placed in such 8
condition as to authorize their introduction
into market by proclamation for their sale
on the 18th of November.
In Nebraska the surveys have not progress
ed so rapidly, attention in this surveying dis
trict having been mainly directed to the
Indian trust lands in Kansas.
In New Mexico, notwithstanding the diff
fculty in procuring supplies in this sparsely
settled country and Indian hostilities, some
progress has been made in the surveys by the
extension of meridian, base, connection and
township lines. Some private land claim:
which had their origin under Spain and Mex
leo, have been presented to the Surveyor
General for examination, with whom has
also been filed number of "Pueblo'' Indiar
claims.
In Utah Territory, ,s.the United States Sur
veyor General arrived in July, 1885, and es
tsblished his Office at the Great Salt City
After preliminary reconnaissance in the vi
cinity of that city, the initial point of The
surveys was fixed at the corner of the tenn
pie block, in the erection of a suitable mon
ument at the point of intersection ofthe me
ridian with the base line, from there the bass
has been extended due east four miles, aDC
west thirty-six miles; the principal meridian
was extended north eighty-four miles, anC
south seventy-two miles. These lines pas
through Salt Lake Valley, Cachemalade, Blu
Spring, and Hausel Spring Valleys, to tn
north of the base; through Tuilla and par
of Bush Valleys and the west and througl
Jordan, Utah-cedar, TiDtick and portion
of Youba valleys and the south-contract
have been entered into for surveys in thes
valleys. The surveys have been made int
townships and sectional sub divisions. Th
extent of field operations embrace betwee
40 and 40 townships. Attention is draw
to the fact that the limits of the Salt LAX
City are greater in extent than the town sit
laid off in 1874 allows, and it is represente
that the public domain in the city and OF
of its limits where settled by Mo-mon
is being conveyed by them to Brigham Youn
as trustee, and Congressional interposition
suggested in the matter.
Under the acts of 1S49 and 1850, grantir
the swamps and overfowed lands to tl
States in which they were situate, 42,628
1884 acres have been selected by the Statt
and reported for approval; of which 1,16S
451, 81 acres have been contested by indiviC
uals, who allege under oath, that these sele
tons are fraudulent, and the lands not of
character granted by the acts.
In Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Iowa ar
Arkansas the contests are numerous; in lad
) ana, Louisiana and Florida there are but fe
contests. and in Michigan and Visions
none. The swamp land business in Califc