The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-11

t .iSc oo ss town se he estimates it's value at
Cyrus Alarich thinks il was worth $40 an acre for
agricultural purposes; but, considering its advan-
tages as town site he estimates its value al from
forty to fifty dollars an acre.
Capt. George Thorn says the property could have
been sold 30 as 70 have brought $i50000, and per
Hilleary B. Hancock estimates its value at
5000, 900.
Capt James II. Simpson thinks that portions Of it
would have sold at $500 an acre. and none OF it ess
than $40 an acre.
j. C. Hall supposes, on an average, the land worth
SIS or $40 an are.
These are all the witnesses who testify to value
exceeding that for which it sold by the commits
sioners.
Hezekiah s. Culom supposes II was worth some
thing more than $ll per acre.
j. G. McVeigh-From my knowledge Of the land
think IT sold for full as much as II was worth. DO
not think it will bring that now.
Madison Sweetzer-l do not think il was worth
more than 0000 the question has been frequently
asked, and have always said never would give
$4,000 for il; would not give that to-day; if had
the money would not purchase it for 100000.
Alexander c. JOnes-Take the whole tract toge-
Their would not think it worth more than So or 81
an acre.
Andrew Ellyson-The land sold for more than I
would pay forit.
G. B. Cltherall fixes the valne of the tract after
careful estimate OF its different soils and capabilities,
at $55 ,00Q
full value; if had been the purchaser would not
have paid that much for it,
Francis T. ROsser-I would not like to give, even
for purposes of speculation, more than 81 or IS an
acre.
Hon. George L. Becker should think it would
hardly be considered worth than 49, $40 or $l2
an acre.
Capt. j. A. whithall-I do not consider the land
worth the price given for IL; said at the time it
was the best sale Of government land had ever
heard of.
W.T.. Cullen-I expressed my opinion to Mr.. Steele
at the time the sale made that thought it sold
for all it was WORTH and that he would never get his
money back, and have not changed that opinion in
the least.
Col. Francis Lee, U. s. Al think they paid a
H. 1. Dousman-I thought they got a fair price; !
told Steele at the time that he gave about what it
was worth.
wv. Lynde thought it was worth from IS to $40
8. A. Medary thinks the average value from IS to
$l4 an acre.
A. M. Fridley-worth now about IS per acre; at
the time Of sale about $40 per acre.
B. W. Brisbois estimates il from $40 to $l2 per
Charles Fl. Oakes-I think 500 900 was more than
the land was WORTH and 80 stated at time of SALE
VIM. II. Forbes estimated value at between sl2
and SIS per acre at time of sale.
j. E. Fletcher considered the land worth sl2 SO
per acre.
George Culver-Ten dollars per acre would be
fair price for the whole property.
Hon. H. NJ. Rice supposes, as a whole, it was worth
50 or "a per acre.
Hon. s. A. Douglas would not estimate the land
at more than $40 per acre.
Hon. Charles E. Stuart thinks the commissioners
acted wisely in selling the entire tract at $4,000.
Vim. K. Heiskell thinks it sold beyond its true
value.
Major Eastman-Since the sale have thought we
got too much for it. l have made many inquiries,
and have to that conclusion from the inquiries
as to the price of land in that country.
Upon this evidence the undersigned, as impartial
judges of the fact, canAeach no other conclusion
than that this property sold at its full and fair value
and that this is one OF the rare instances in his
tory where the government, in parting with any por-
ton Of the public domain, has realized price APP
proximating the true value Of the property.
The undersigned conclude their report by submit
ting the following resolution as substitute for the
resolutions recommended by the majority of the
committee -
Resolved, That the recent sale Of the military
ton at Fort Smelling, having beer made by the Secretary
Of War, under the direction Of the President OF the United
States in strct conformity 10 law and the evidence
ported by the seect committee having fAed 10 exhibit
any fact circumstance tending in the slightest degree
Of the officers agents of the concerned In
the same, 70 exhibit any fact circumstance which
should make the sad sale proper subject for the opinion
and action Of this House. s ordered that the committee
be discharged from the further consideration OF the sub
ect and that the report Of the said committee be laid
the table. CHAS JAS. FAULKNER.
II. c. BURNETT.