New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-10
FROM NEBRdSK 4.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The n. Y Tribune.
OMAHA, y. T., Dee "a, 1856.
That part of Nebraska which is now being sur.
veyed, and which will soon be brought into market
has the Missouri River from Sioux City to the
Kansas border, for its eastern boundary. Its
width on the south is the length of line CON-
mencng at the above mentioned river, and running
60 miles due west, on a line between Kansas and
Nebraska. Its western limit is guide-neridlan,
drawn from the point last indicated, l6S miles due
north or until it strikes the Missouri, near Sioux
Cny The amount of land wi hin these lu'its is
about 100 TOW nsbips not lar from 800 600 acres
But this il not all surveyed o. yeti aud 1t prob
able that only three four tiers Of townships along
the river Will be brought into market the ensuing
stasOD. The documents relating to the survey have
already passed through the Surveyor Generals
hands, have been ins pected by the Department at
Washington, and are now on their way to the land
tffce in this city. As soon as they arrive, the
tffce will be opened for preemptors.
There is no homestead law which applies to Ne
bIaska. GOyernmt ut lands are open for settlers
as soon as purchased from the Indians. That Is,
en- individual can 60 upon the public domain,
whether surveyed or not, stake out his claim, put
his improvements upon it, and have il registered in
the County Recorders Office, and by virtue OF the
sQuatter Club laws, he can hold this land against
all intruders. The CLAIM ants of q given locality
usually unite, form an association for mutual pro-
lection, and bind themselves to attend the public
sales TO assist each other in entering their lands,
and 10 see that they are not bid upon. The claims
associations are usually strong enough TO accom-
plish their design; and the intruder who should at
the sales, venture to bid upon q squstters claim,
would, no doubt ind it a hazardous undertaking.
As before remarked, public lands can be claimed
even before the Government surveys are made.
But in such q case, the settler must run the risk
snd the Inconvenience of having claim which does
not correspond with tie Government lines This
is in all cases, undo .Irsble; but the elaim-laws
bind the owners Of neighbOring tracts Of land
which lie in this manner to deed and redeed 10
each other, 50 that their original boundaries shall
remain the same. That is, n, in given quarter
section, A claim l43 acres and Is the remaining
IL, the section will be entered, for instance, by A,
be being obligated by the claim-laws TO deed over
to his IL acres on the receipt Of the Government
price therefor; and Is would be under obligation TO
do in Ike manner, we're be the purchaser. The
lands about Omaha, for several miles, we're claimed
previous to the surveys; and the consequence is,
that many OF them run every which way with tho
Government lines. | would advise all who come
here for the purpose OF settling upon unoccupied
lands, to secure the services Of a competent sur.
veyOr, who, for trihing sum, will run out claim
which will correspond with the Government lines,
much less trouble al the sales than if it did not
The club-laws allow the settler from one to two
months 10 make his Improvements upon his land
at the close Of whch time If be has not done 90, his
claim is able TO be entered upon by any one who
chooses TO do so.
AS Of the great objects of the club-laws 10 10
encourage actui settlement q non. res dent claim
holder Ill not be protected unless he has agent
actually living upon his land But a resident in
the Territory, ii he has the requisite amount of
Improvement upon his claim, can hold it, although
however, the clubs will, by special permission,
allow claimant to be absent; as for instance for
bic i,niy, or on other important business. But
The general rule is 40 / have indicated.
he amount Of improvement necessary to make
a valid claim varies III the different clubs. From
$50 10 $50 is the 81 cunt Usually required These
improvements may consist Of blowing, cabin, or
fencing, or anything which actually makes the land
more valuable. But the mere cutting and stack.
iDg Of grass upon claim is no. considered an i'm.
pTOveMtbt
The claim associations are recognized BY the
Territorial AVS, Which permit the settlers living
IN the same vicinity to form neghbOrhood regula-
tons, which, On being fled in the Office OF the
Register Of Deeds for The County, become the
laws Of the association.
A valid claim upon the public lands shall no. ex
eetd go acres. This may be in two tracts.
and ~ acres VI it may be timber The claim
holdtIs are to decide whAt shal be the boand. of
the ASSOCIATION, but they must in no case extend
ever The county lines. Claims are eOusidsred IA
real estate; they can be sold upon execution. and
may be transferred by deed, by mortgage, or by
attachment.
AL tie desirable lads are elaiueG for IS miles