The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-10
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.
DxrAHfassr or THE INTERIOR.

81
sa In the administration OF the Interior Department
there s subject Of greater magnitude of deeper in
tercst to the people Of the United States than that of the
public lands Our system of dsposng of them IN the
most Just and equal, and. at the time, the most
conducive to their rapid settlement and reclamation from
wild and unproduetiye state that has been devised
by any government which has possessed extensive tracts
OF enchltivated land IL is system peculiar to the
United States and is based upon the simple but just prn
cpc, that the public domain is the property of the
people Of all tho States collectively any individual desr
ing to appropriate to himself any particular portion of IT,
is allowed to do so by paying into the common treasury
moderate consideration.
Large grants have been made by Congress, from time
to tme to several of the States of portions Of the public
lands lying within their respective limits TO be applied to
public uses The principle ON which this has been usi
fed s that, landed proprietor, the United States
ceyes full remuneration for the grants in the enhanced
value and ready sale of tho residue of the public
lands resulting from the execution Of the respective trusts
by the several States
With hut few exceptions grants have bccn made
to individuals except remuneration for nierorious
services, or for the public benefit.
la earlier Legislation provision made for pass
ing the title TO individuals for limited quantities of land
embracing their improvements when their only claim of
title possession settlement at prior TO certain
dates This policy which grew out of the peculiar
don of French, Spanish and British settlements, was
but temporary applicable to certain circumstances, and
regarded of Justice and for quieng titles
rather than donation OF lands.
In Florida however, and In the Territories OF Ore
gon, Washington, and New Mexico, not only prov
sion made for the allowance of the claims of settlers
who were then upon the public lands, without the pay
ment of consideration, but donation grants were Of
fered to persons who should emgratc and settle with
Ia specified periods of time Such donations though in
uring to individually made q means OF public de-
fence and believed to be well calculated to promote
the military strength OF distant settlements exposed to
the hostile attacks and predatory visits of Indian tribes
but of public policy, it has proved falla-
cious and ought not to be renewed. These profered
donations have always been coupled with the condition
of actual settlement and occupancy for period of not
less than four years and the rights and benefits accr
ing therefron though not aenable by the settler have
been secured to his heirs in of his death On
count of the length of residence required, and the
other conditions imposed claimants the result thus
far has been that complications have arisen in deter
mining titles, and in these complications and consequent
delays the titles to the adjacent lands have been in
volved.
The enterprise and fondncss for change which charac
terzc the frontersman too often make him impatient Of
long residence before enjoying the absolute control
Of his settlement and improydent forfeiture Of his
claim is frequently incurred.
Wherever the pre-emption laws are available a
of securing homes the settlers will generally pre-
fer to pay for their lands and complete their titles at
once rather than wait for years and then obtain their
patents without the payment of any consideration This
is made evident by the fact that Congress has been
constrained from of justice to those who have
sought avail themselves of the benefit of the several
donation acts, to pass laws for their relief substituting
payments in cash in lieu of further continued residence
AS apt illustration of these views, will refer to
the practical working of the donation system in the State
of Florida The grant Of land under the act for the
armed occupation Of Florida, approved August 4, 1872
limited to two hundred thousand The eager
Of settlers to avail themselves of the benefits of this
grant shown by the issuance of one thousand three
hundred and twenty permits for hundred and
sixty each, which amounted in the aggregate to
two hundred and eleven thousand three hundred and
sixty acres.
In the year 1914 supplemental act passed, sub
situting cash payments for the condition Of continued
residence and under the original and supplemental acts
only hundred and sixteen claims have been finally
approved and patented amounting to eighteen thousand
five hundred and sixty acres
On the LIST of July 1S4S another act passed for
the relief of those to whom permits had been granted
dispensing with continued residence tho specific tract
This act required the employment of agent for the
adjustment Of this class of cases. and it appears that two
hundred and eighty three claims under it approved
and patented amounting to forty five thousand two hun
dred and eighty There still remain fiftyfeycn
claims suspended for various causes amounting to nine
thousand hundred and twenty acresand few if any,
of these will be carried into patenwhst there
eight hundred and sixty five claims which have been abso
lucly forfeited and cancelled amounting to hundred
and thirty eight thousand four hundred From the
foregoing statement it will be perceived that only about
onetweh of the whole proposed to be granted has
been secured finally to claimants under the acts of 1912
and 1874, (and small portion of this was paid for y
that not oncourth has been finally secured under the
levng act of 1S4s and that more than twohirds has
been wholly forfeited.
have no hesltancy, therefore, IN expressing tho 0ln-
ion that system Of donations Of this character, while il
is not called for by the bona tide settler is unwsc, unjust
unequal and fnught with mischief 1t has embarrassed
communities and retarded rather than accelerated settle
ments.
Under system of public sales and pre-emption
rights settlements have been made and per-
manent basis. The tide OF emigration has rolled west
ward from the Atlantic coast driving ire Indian before
H. and leaving in its ourishng States and prospe-
communities till it has reached the heart Of
the continent while from the shores of the Pacific for
several years past the enterprspg pioneer has been
his steady march eastward exploring unknown territory
and bringing to light the rich mine and the prolific soil
which the Industrious settler will occupy and i'm
prove.
The system yielding these results has been the work of
enlightened legislation, extending through half a centa
y is peculiarly adapted to the wants and character
scs Of people 1t lies at the foundation of our
rapid progress nation, has developed our physical
resources and in my opinion, needs material change
The report of the Commissioner of the General Land
Office which accompanies this communication shows the
scope and magnitude Of this branch Of the public service
and demonstrates the promptnes and energy with which
Its operations have been conducted.
During tho fiscal year ending June 30, 1858, there
have been disposed TO individuals 1907 06s 46
Of the public lands of which 3s0t 90s sold
for cash, yielding 81 and $500 l53 acres were
located with military bounty land warrants.
Of the quantity sold for cash S7 529 35 acres were
sold at and above dollar and twenty cents per
acre, and yielded 81 lJ5O ls6 73 whilst 9S7 397 IL
sold at graduated prices for which the Of
s9G6 ,60l 20 was received into the treasury.
These figures show greater diminuton Of cash
cepts from the sales Of public lands than anticipated
But the condition of the people in the frontier States and
Territories SUCH that to bring lands heretofore
offered during deemed