The true Democrat., 1857-05-05
Important Information Conceyuing
 Certain Land Titles.


 land titles, have been decided by the Commis- sioner of the general land office, as will be seen from the following communication: GENERAL LAND OFFICE, i January 5th, 1857. | GENTLEMEN:-The attention of this office has been drawn to the condition and rights of ownership in the tollowidg described tracts, viz:
 The S. w. fractional Ii of section 23, and the w. fractional part of s. E. fri Ii 23, $. R. West-Arkansas. These tracts were sold-the first in 1S39- the second in l84O, and patents for them have long since issued, whereby the title Of the Uni ted States has been duly vested in their vendees, under whom Rob't w. Johnson, it is under stood, holds by purchase. The matter now comes before us for informa- ton as to the rights o property which exist Tn the premises, and in connection with the adjoining lake.
 The sale of the tracts above described was made by the United States, according to a township plat approved in 1638 The physi- cal features of the tracts, on the north side, l bordering on the lake, have undergone change within the lapse of eighteen years since the 1 first plat was certified, as will appear on con- pairing the annexed plat of 1858, with that of | 1856.
 1 Now, the lst question presented is as to the right of the vendee of the purchasers from the United States to the solid land, which may have been formed by gradual accretiOa to these tracts
 1 The ri ght of such vendee is clear to the same, and ace So recoguze it upon the ,oeH established Ip7nqpies of tt,C-aS succnctly stated by the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of New Orleans vs. the United States-lO Peters, page 717, as follows:
 "The question is well settled at common law, that the person whose land is bounded by a stream of water which changes its course gradually by a.luvia formations, shall still hold by the same boundary, including the accumu- lated soil.
 No other rule can be applied on just princi- ples. Every proprietor where land is thus bounded is subject to loss, 5y the same means which may add to his territory: and as he is without remedy for his loss, in this way, he cannot be held accountable for his gain.
 This rule Is no less just when applied to public than to private rights.'
 The 2d point presented is, as to the right o ownership to the bei of the luke, which bounds these tracts on the north. Upon well settled principles and our established decisions and practice-thc swamp act of 1850 has no appli- cation whatever to shallow lakes or ponds. Il consequently, in no way affects the bed of this lake-which is u'snueyed land, and n its pre- sent coudit on not liable to sale or claim of any kind under any laws of the United States lo the disposal of the public land Should the lake disappear by natural causes, and become dry lard, then the executive may hereafter in it, judgment and discretion, order the lines of the public surveys to be extended over, and direct the disposal of the same.
 lou are requested to make known the pur- port of this communication to the Governor o the State, to the authorities representing ths swamp interest, and to all other parties con cerned.
 Very resnectEully ynur nh,t serv,t