New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-10
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
SALE OF THE DELAWARE TRUST
LANDS IN KANSAS

LANDS IN KANSAS.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Jan. {, 1857.
Dispatches have already announced the arrival in
this city, from Kansas. of the Hon. Norman Eddy,
appointed by the President on the Odd of October
last as Special Commissioner 10 superntend the
sale Of the eastern portion of the lands in Kansas
Territory ceded BY the Delaware Indians 10 trust
to the United States; also the fact that he has sub
mitted report of his dOings thus far.
The Commissioner, upon his arrival IN Kansas,
proceeded to Fort Leayenworth and communicated
with Gen. Smith, commanding the western division
of the United States Army, aud with Col. Sumner,
the officer in command, and was furnished by them
with such accommt dntiOns rs they could afford.
Great misapprehensiOns existed among the set
Tiers Az TO the intention of the Government in
regard to their improvements and homesteads upon
tie trust lands but the instructions Of Commits
siOner MsnypcnDy, furnished Mr.. Eddy, relieved
their anxiety and they not only acquesced ia them,
but cordially united in carrying them out.
The sale commenced in conformity with the
Presidents proclamation on the 18th of November,
1856. The want of proper boarding accOmmOda-
ton at the Fort compelled the Commissioner and
his clerks and other officers TO seek 1t az Leayen'
worth CITY. three miles distant from the sale thus
losing much time aud effective labor. This, how
ever, was soon remeded, and the sales progressed
rapidly.
On the Goth and 27th of November the Commits
sioner suspended the sale, from conviction that
combinations existed and had been formed between
the mere claimant and unscrupulous speculatOr to
absorb as far possible all the unOccuped tracts of
land He excuses the mass of the capitalists
from any share in these combinations. Measures
were promptly taken 10 dissolve such combinations
as did exist, and to prevent their reformation.
The Commissioner has no doubt that in many
instances tracts of land we're subsequently
smuggled through cOntrayentlOn Of Instructions.
The sale from the date last mentioned to Dec. To-
the day of the last suspension was without any ma
teral incident and therefore without interruption.
NV dispatch to TIE TRIBUNE of yesterdays date
gave information not only Of the aggregate amount
Of sales up to the day of suspension but also OF GER
tain tracts withheld from sale for causes. These
causes are that in all instances where there were
col flcting cam tO the tract OF land and the
Improvements thereon clearly within the in-
sIlctions Of the Indian Department, the Commits
siOber eudeavoIed to procure reconciliation and
settlement of opposing Interests, and MS general
thing succeeded.
Upon the receipt Of Il letter ffon Commissioner
Monypenny of the Department Of Indian Affairs
bearing date Nov. 20, Commissioners Eddy directed
u suspension Of the sale for single day in order
to ascertain if other unsold tracts and lots not in
Ieavchwor'h City or vicinity were likely 10 come
within i;s application. he inquiry satisfied him
that no such combinations existed in reference 10
such lands of ally force aud therefore the sale was
Ie,un ed op the following DAY.
Mr.. EDDY r.ceN I'd Instructions OF ABOUT the same
dale alluded to above that II the property. holders
OF LtGyeuworih City IN connection with other per.
srus, formed party Of sufficient strength Ia deter
The people from bidding at the sale, or II pre-
tended rivalry was got up BY these parties, by
which there was apparent competition without ANY
material advance above the sPpraisement on the
lois, 10 AT once postpone the sale; that il 10 be
desired that the lots should bring prices approXima-
ting their true value; that a bona 6de competition
among all parties would run them up to q price
which ought 10 be considered their just and fair
value.
In the same letter, Mr.. Commissioner Eddy was
directed in the event that there were bidders upon
the ground who were deferred from entering into
competition by mcs sures resulting from such com
binatiOns, but would consent 10 90 30 st. Louis,
and there bid upon the lots to adjourn the sale to
early day 10 that point These instructions
satisfied hun that free and untrammeled com
petition was deemed by Mr.. Mapypenny a pre-
requisite 10 the sale of the unmproyed lots aud
lands, and be sought diligently every means of ill.,
formation that Was accessible, and the result uf
lis inquiries was that such competition could not be
had; that the City OF Leavenworth could only BE-
sold az prices arbitrarily fixed by it's own population
The nOn-Tesdent CAP iali,s had either left the Ter
ritory, by purchasing an interest in these very
lands had identified themselves with the other pro-
prietOrs, and therefore united in common cause
with them. An adjournment 10 ST. Louis was con.
sequeutly preclueed by this condition of affairs.
There med, then, but alternative, and that
wss TO adjourn without day; ard Mr. Eddy 50 an
need "a the officers Of the sale, and would have
Cared bis purpose into effect ON the following day
Monday, tie 18Th ult.) but for he strong and |
urgent circumstances of Gov. Geayy and Gen |