Minnesota weekly times., 1857-05-02
The RAILROAD GRANT.

The RAILROAD GRANT.
This being the first day Of the Extra Session,
We republish the bill for grant Of certain lands
TO this Territory, as it passed Congress, March 8,
that the members may have it for reference during
the somewhat eventful session begun this morn
ing, and also for the benefit Of our readers gem
orally, who desire to know on what the Legisla-
ture is to act: 5
AN ACT making grant of land to the Territory
of Minnesota, in alternate sections, to hid in
the construction Of certain Railroads in said
Territory, and granting public lands in alter
nate sections to the State Of Alabama, to aid
in the construction Of a certain Railroad in
said State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Re-
representatives. of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That there be, and is hereby
granted to the Territory of Minnesota, for the pur
pose of aiding in the construction of railroads from
Saltwater, BY way of ST. Paul and. st. Anthony, to
point between the foot of Big Stone Lake and
tho mouth of Sioux Wood River, with branch
via Saint Cloud and Grow Wing, to the naviga-
BILE waters of the Red River of the North, at such
point as the Legislature of said Territory may de-
termine from Saint Paul and from Saint Antho.
ny, via Minneapolis, to q convenient point of
junction west Of the Mississippi, to the southern
mouth Of the Big Sioux river, with branch via
Faribault, to the north line of the State of Iowa.
west of range sixteen; from Winona, via Saint
Peter, to point on the Big Sioux river, south of
the forty-f fifth parallel Of north latitude; also
from La Orescent, via Target Lake, up the valley
of Root river, to point Of junction with the last
mentioned road, east of range seventeen, every
alternate section of land, designated by odd num-
bers, for six sections in width on each side of
each of said roads and branches; but in case it
shall appear that the United States have, when
the lines or routes of said roads and branches are
definitely fixed, sold any sections, or any parts
thereof, granted aforesaid or that the right of
exemption has attached to the same, then it
shall be lawful for any agent agents, to be ap-
pointed by the Governor of said Territory or fu-
ture State, to select, subject to the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior, from the lands of
the United States nearest to the tiers of sections
above specified, so much land in alternate sections,
or parts of sections, as shall be equal to such
lands as the United States have sold, or other
wise appropriated, or to which the rights of pre-
emption have attached, as aforesaid ; which lands
(thus selected in lieu Of those sold, and to which
pre-emption rights have attached as aforesaid to-
gether with the sections, and parts of sections,
designated by odd numbers as aforesaid, and ap-
% oAOToodAuj cuoll p0 uoAV Wy 1cC.
ritory or future State of Minnesota, for the use
and purposes aforesaid Provided, That the land
to be so located SHALL in no case, be further than
fifteen miles from the lines of said roads or
branches, and selected for and on account of each
of said roads or bran ,hes Provided further,
That the lands hereby granted for and on account
of said roads and branches severaly, shall be ex-
clusively applied in the construction of that road
for and on account of which such lands are here
hvv~ I'D rI ahon hol oe L., khn
work progresses, and the same shall be applied to
no other purpose whatsoever; And provided,
further, That any and all lands heretofore re-
served to the United States, by any act Of Con-
gress, or in any other manner by competent nu-
thority, for the purpose of aiding in any object
of internal improvement, or for any other pur-
pose whatsoever, be, and the same are hereby re-
served to the United States from the operation Of
this act, except SO far as it may be found necss-
sary to locate the routes of said railroads and
branches through such reserved lands, in which
case the right of way only shall be granted, SUBJ
ject to the approval of the President of the Uni
ted States.
SEQ. 2. And be it further enacted, That the
sections and parts of sections of land which by
such grant shall remain to the United States,
within six miles each side of said roads and
branches, shall not be sold for less than double
the minimum price of the public lands when sold;
vate entry until the same shall haye been first Of
fered at public sale at the increased price.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the
said lands hereby granted to the said Territory
or future State, shall be subject to the future dis
posal of the Legislature thereof for the purposes
herein expressed, and no other and the said
railroads and branches shall be and remain pub
lie highways for the use Of the government Of the
United States, free from toll or other charge up
an fhn fv~ ~kox.o o%
Of the United States.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the
land hereby granted to said Territory or future
State shall bs disposed Of by said Territory or f4-
tpre State only in the manner following, that is
to say that a quantity Of land not exceeding
one hundred and twenty sections for each of said
roads and branches, and included within con-
tinuous length of twenty miles of each of said
roads and branches, may be sold; and when the
certify to the Secretary of the Interior that any
twenty continuous miles of any of said roads or
branches is completed, then another quantity of
land hereby granted, not to exceed one hundred
and twenty sections for each of said roads and
branches having twenty continuous miles COM
pleted as aforesaid; and included within con-
tinuous length of each of such roads or branches,
may be sold and so, from time to time, until
said roads end branches are completed; and if
within ten years, no further sale shah be made,
and the lands unsold shall revert to the United
States.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the
United States mail shall be transported over said
roads a9d branches, under the direction of the
Post Of6ce Department, at such price as Con-
gress may by law direct: Propidsd, That until
such price is 6xed by Law, the Post Master Cen
eral shall have the power to determine the same.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That in case
any lands on the line of said roads or branches
are within any Indian Territory no title to the
same shall accrue, nor shall the same be enter
ed upon the authority of said Territory or State
until the Indian title to the same shall have been
extipgpished.
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted; That there
be, and is hereby, granted to the State of Alaba-
ma, for the purpose Of aiding ip the constructions
Of railroad "from the line Of Georgia, on the
Chattahoochee river, to the city of Mobile, Ala"
through the counties of Henry, Dale, Coffee, Gov
ington, Conscuh, Baldwin and Mobile, and a
branch railroad from Eufanla to Montgomery,
'sthrough the counties Of Barbour, Pike, Macon
and Montgomery" chartered by the State Of Al
ALBANIA, by an act entitled can act to authorize
the Savannah and Albany Railroad Company to
extend their railroad from the line of Georgia on
the Chattshoochee river to the city Of Mobile,
Ala, and to extend branch road from Eufaula
to Montgomery" approved Dec. Goth 1853, al
ternste sections of the public lands to the same
extent, and in the same manner, and upon the
same limitations and restrictions in every respect
as was granted to aid in the construction of o;h-
or railroads under an act of Congress entitled
san act granting public Lands in alternate Sec
tions to the State of Alabama, to aid in the con-
struction of certain Railroads in said State, %
approved june 3, 1856. -
Approved March 3, 1857. .gsaaoT