The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-10
STATE OF THE NATION.
Annual Report ofths Secretary ofshe Interior.

SR-In presenting exhibit OF the operations OF this
department attention is first invited TO the important and
diversified interests connected with the administration of
our public domain respecting which the accompanying
port OF the Commissioner Of the General Land Office fur
n1oes interesting details with gratifying view of
ext>I land system American legislation has shown
its sor practical wisdom by its simplicity and adapa
ton TO the wants of people in its code of land laws
in regard to the improvement, of which few suggestions
can be made.
The leading fact attracting attention
tent OF the operations Of the Land Bureau.
The public domam surface, exclusive of water,
OF one thousand four hundred and fifty millions of acres
II stretches the continent and embraces every
riety OF climate and soil abounding agricultural, mine
raj and timber wealth. everywhere inviting to enterprise,
and capable OF yielding support to man.
This grea, inheritance acquired first by the vo-
unary OF several Of the original thirteen States
then by the Louisiana purchase obtained from Napoleon
BY treaty OF 1903 The next enlargement of Ter
rory effected by the treaty of 1919 with Spain ced
>ng the Floridas to the United States then its
further extension was effected by the treaty of
ls4s, at Guadalupe Hidaigo, with Mexico, ceding
New Mexico and California. subsequently, Texas
accepted the proposition OF this government establish
ing boundaries for the REIMBURSEMENT by the said
The last accession to the public domain is that
in 1854 from Mexico known as the "Gadsden purchase
covering surface Of % 900 acres south Of the ella
The Supreme Court said in reference to acquired
lands that people change their sovereign their right
TO property unaffected by this change" Conse
auenty when the United States succeeded TO the
ship Of that portion Of territory, derived from treaties
with foreign powers the nrst and paramount duty the
disposal OF the public lands was to separate private from
In 70 this well settled principle of public law
and under the special obligations the United
States have established Boards Of Commissioners confer
red on registers and receivers opened the courts
OF the United the adjudication of foreign titles,
aud in mundes OF cases confirmed such titles by speca!
acts of legislation.
scripon OF 'private land claims aud Of every spe
ces from minute parcels the form OF lots in Spanish
to rural claims ranging in size from one hundred
arpents and less 10 million ana nan oil acres.
These titles of British, French, Spanish and Mexi
origin all depending for validity on the colonial laws
Of their different soveregItes And there is no branch
OF Jurisprudence where greater research and extent OF lie
gal erudtion have been displayed by our judicial trbu
mails the determination of the intricate questions
which have arisen been discussed, and judicay deter
mined in connection with this branch of the service.
These foreign claims OF every diversity of shape and
everywhere scattered the public domain interrupt
Ing the regularity OF our surveys, with which they arc
necessarily inerocked and exhibit in striking contrast
the irregularities of the foreign surveys when compared
with the simplicity and beauty OF our own rectangular
system showing the difference in the modes Of dstribut
ing estates OF which comedies to the fayores OF
princes bodies Of the Oh ocest lands, whilst the
other suodivdes the public territory to deal with
every citizen a spirit OF enlarged hberal!ty In the
growth Of Territory the way and by the
already mentioned there remained and stu remain
nuexneuished the claims, rights and possession of the
aborgnees The general government Of the Unon the
down Of political existence adopted the principle
serted by the Col0nlIlg 10
effect that the absolute title was IN the United States sub
jec only 10 the Indian right OF occupancy and with
unconditional privilege OF extingushing that right
Under the operation OF these principles the purchase
and exnglishment Of the Indian right has been gradually
progressing IN the ratio mi which lands in Indian occu-
pancy demanded by our people for settlement.
Par pdSu have the Lines Of the public surveys been
carried IN preparing the way for homeseads and the
means by which TO pass TO our people unncumbered and
iadeie as bic titles.
The surveying system organized twelve diff
feren districts and The lines of the public surveys have
already extended than fourth OF the
whole surface Of the public domain
That surface heretofore stated is 450 900 900 acres
OF this, there have been surveyed and
prepared for market, Of net public
lands, that Is, exclusive Of school
or which quantity ............... 81 80, $40
have never been offered, and are,
Consequently now liable TO public
sale, in addition TO which, there were
Subec, TO entry private sale the Soth Sept, last
OF the public domain there have been dis posed OF by
private claims grants sales, &c, embracing surveyed
unsurveyed land ......... sos, So, .64 acres,
Which, deducted from the whsie sur
face above stated leaves unds
posed OF aof.............. 0s6lS7 $50 acres
qusrtc ending sept So 1857 public lands have been sur
veyed and reported the Of % $50 AL 90
During the same period .......... II 100 037.21
Have been disposed OF as follows
Located with mil ,ary warrants. 1850
Returned under swamp land grant. 3,16i4I5s6 "
Estimated quantity Of railroad grants -
The amount 81 money received on cash sales Is - 22s,
eOs Ia
Tbs shows falling on i land receipts from those for
the corresponding period the preceding year OF - b.,
las With falling CI during the same period 10 the
location q lands with warrants, o. more than twenty
per cent
the fact demonstrates that long before the prostraon OF
al credit by the suspension Of the oanSins institutions
In the territory Of the United states there eighty
three organized land districts each having register aud
receiver or the sale and disposal OF the public lands Yet
have land district Cor either the Territory OF New
Mexico Of Uab In New Mexico the public surveys have
been executed very limited extent, owing TO Indian
hosltcs IN Utah the surveys had rapidly progressed
ont q surveyor General abandoned his post, owing 10
reported hostes " the Mormon authorities al Salt
City The extent Of the surveys, since the beginning Of
the operations Utah, exhibits sphere Of beli work
emgracfDg 2 600 O00 acres
due regard Tor the public interests a. well as
proper respect for the prosperity aud advance.
melt n New Mexico would justify, Il not loudly call
upon Congress establish a land Office and Board
q Comm Tor the adjudication Of spanish aud Mex
lean claims In that Territory important 70 T. fut1re
prosperity promptly 20 separate private property from
The public lands before the settlements become dense
and consequent conflicts Of clam and title arise.
BY the act u April q. 1920, the old credit system 81
sae- Of land was abolished the cash system instituted
and the minimum price Fixed at 81 = per acre. THIS
TIE great basis o cor present system s4es Inc Pocy
o. the leU 4 70 favor the actual settler IL y humane
aud just policy. When the harty pioneer breaks OF
from the comforts and security Of long settled commu
uy snd encounters The hazard and eudure- the hard
ship ami dep-vaons II settlement In the forest
he has rendered positive service to the government and
81 deny him the right ~ securing hts home and improve
rnenis preference all others who would prodt by his
sacrifices, would be a crying injustice.
when actual settler goes upon lands which have
been offered for sale and builds himself house the
lac allows him twelve months within which 10 pay
for nre empt ION right of ono hundred and sixty acres
II he enters upon unohered land, lands which have
been surveyed he i permitted % he his declars
Ton Of Intention q enter and no, required % pay for
hs PR emptou ull the day appointed by proclamation
for public sale Of the lands Public policy may cause an
indefinite postponement Of the sale o. the land and the
Consequence that with this inchoae, imperfect right,
he occupy without perfcciing hts title Tbs
privilege 70 enter being personal rght it transfer or
assignment l. prohibited by law.
By thus conceding privilege and nxng no time m
which, Ne u required 20 perfect his title an interest
created In opposition a public sale by proclamation
when TIE good U the country may require H. The sug
Eesou therefore, that settlers upon unofcred lands
should he required 70 make their proof and payment with
y SPECIFIED period Is approved -
Ire emp, upon uusurvey "a lands limited TO
particular States and Territories general Law author