The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-08
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
wAsHscror, NCv. Q, 1856

The California Land Tina-Wh0t Mr.. Gushing Ine1ds 70
do pih hsm
There are at che present time the offcs OF the At
orney General Of the United States between eight and
nine hundred cases. rather transcripts OF cases. Of
settled California land titles. Thess have been
cumulaiing since the commission appointed by sn
OF Congress passed March 1851 the object Of which
ascertan and settle the titles lands in California
The commissioners consisting or three persons ap
pointed and the board established Immediately after the
passage Of the act After four years Of assduous labor
Judging or that by the amount Of work contained In each
oasfor there hundreds and even thousands Of pages
Of closely written fooscap In Of them; this vast
number-besween eight and nine hundred cases-havng
been passed by the commissioners, and Of them
ected and those rejected in accordance With the law
carried before tho District Court OF California and from
thence 70 the Supreme Court of the United stxtes and by
that have found her way into the Office Of the
Attorney General OF the United States, where exami
nation Of the transcripts will be made with the
csconiinuance OF appeals In al cases where law equity
and justice requires t. and can be done without mani
fest prejudice 10 the Unite d States.
One or TWO of these cases have already been tried
Marposa for instance, and some others Of lesser mag
nitude-and decided against the United States aud
IL favor OF the parties, claimant: under the spa
the part Of parties claimants OF the remaining
bow in the Attorney Generals Office, that the de-
cded settles the principles involved in the remaining
ones. The Attorney General contends believe, that
the principles involved the decided does not set
tie those remaining; and that is his purpose to take up
each separately and examine thoroughly, and
tsheo that s according to law Gnd justice and be
done without prejudice TO the United Saes, the
shall be dkmiesed He bas already, understand, dis
missed quite number OF the suits And Il W his purpose
before the 4h OF March next when his term OF oce
presf not according to the consttuton OF the United
States at least according to recent decision Of Mr. Bu
chanan-to have all these disposed or that hs
successor, whoever he may be- will have trouble with
hem and that he may acc0n pllsh that object he has
procured the services Of few able and clear headed legal
gentlemen whose business II will be to take each
separately and examine carefully and report the same
TO him.
Itw, have ne doubt be very gratifying TO our peo-
pie In California TO know that there s 70 be dspo
stlon and that too at early day, Of these trouble
some cases which have been In litigation for tme
II was the general supposton and so given
out and understood, that each case was
to be tried separately before the Supreme
CouIt Of the United States. Had that idea been
carried out well nigh half century would have elapsed
before the last OF these would have been disposed
o. Hence It Was that attempt was made In the last
COP TO pass general law confirming all the land
titles In California; and II would have passed but for
few busybodies who started the story that the aw
for the especial benefit OF Fremont, and that passed
would be uaed by the republicans and other parties In
ereeted in carry ing California against Nr. Buchanan;
and II bad the effect OF influencing many democrats In
both Houses Of Congress to oppose It.
But there viii be necessity for such law, for
the Attorney General carries out the plan he has adopt
ed-and have doubt he WILT obyiAtes the necessi.
" FOR such . law.