The true Democrat., 1856-03-18

your survey Cor examination,) did you ascer- tain to be dry and fit for cultivation and what portion wet and unfit for cultivation?
 What is the general character Of the land Tn the section of country in which this tract Is situated?
 ROSS-INTERROGATORIES
 Are you familiar with the mode and manner of surveying and marking the public lands of the United States?
 Do you make your statements as to the character of this land from your own personal knowledge, or from the representations of others?
 In making the survey Cor examnation) of this land, did you inspect such portion of it's entire surface as would enable you, from your own knowledge to state its general character? State at what time or times during the year. if any, the land is subject to overflow, and from what cause.
 Are you either directly or indirectly, inter- ested in the determination of this controversy? This form of examination, which has been adopted after mature consideration, and which, it is believed, covers all necessary points, must not be departed from except in special cases; as, for instance, where witnesses are produced on both sides, whose statements are directly at variance, and equally entitled to credit. In all instances 1t will be required that the questions shall be distinctly read to the witnesses their answers reduced to writing in their presence, and the deposition subscribed to on the day appointed for the hearing and in the presence of the parties in attendance. The credibity of each witness testifyng must be certified, in writing, by persons known to you. l To the testimony taken in each case you will append a report setting forth the date of notice, the parties i'll attendance, and all mate rial facts relative to the case; and this record with your joint opinion on the merits of the evidence you will transmit to the surveyor general, for those States where that office still exists, for examination and decision. In States where the office of surveyor general has been abolished, each case, prepared as above requir- ed, will be transmitted directly to this office
 The absence of either party at the time ap. pointed will not obviate the necessity of hear ing the testimony offered by the party in atten. dance; and in all such cases your report must embrace evidence of the proper service of no. tice on the party failing to appear
 No case can be regarded as concluded unti the rendition of a final decision by this office; neither can any entry or location be permitted until you are especially instructed to permit the same. The rules which govern this branch of the subject deserve brief notice. | Where lands have been selected for but not approved to the State under the swamp land law, or even where approved, when that ap- proval has not been certified to the State au- thorites and your office, the successful contes tant will acquire preference right of entry But where the lands have been approved, and certified copies of the approved lists issued from this office, no such preference right of en- try can be acquired; lands so situated must bt restored to market, and thirty days public no tice given, before they can become again subject to private entry.
 It may be proper to remark that the public notice and these instructions, have no reference whatever to the States of Michigan and Wis consin, where the swamp lands " have beer selected by the United States surveyor genera from the field notes in their respective offices.
 With these rules, instructions, and remarks the subject is entrusted to your care; and it i sincerely hoped that you will lend to this of flee your cordial cooperation in the endeavol to bring to a close this tedious and difficult bu siness. A careful observance of these nstruc tions will enable you to dispose of the cases il a brief period, and, it is hoped, in a name satisfactory, not only to the authorities of the several states, but to parties seeking to acquire titles from the government.
 Very respectfully, your obt serv't.
 THOS. A. HENDRICKS,
 Commissioner