The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-07
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.

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INTERIOR.
This document by calling attention 10 the
subject of the public lands Our system of dsposing of
them is just and equal and at the time conducive
to their rapid settlement and relaxation from wild and
uuproductve state 1t is system peculiar to the United
States and based upon the principle that the public
domain is the property of the people of all the States
collectively any individual desiring to appropriate
himself any particular portion of it is allowed do
by paying into the treasury moderate consid-
Grafton Large grants have been made by Congress from
time time to the several States of portions of the
public lands lying within their respective limits to be
applied to public and these grants have been justi
fed the principle that the enhanced value and
ready sale of the remaining portions is full
ton to the government for these donations Grants
been made to individuals with but few exceptions
except remuneration for meritorous services OF
for the public benefit In Florida, and in the
Territories of Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico,
donation grants have been offered to persons who
should emigate and settle within specified periods of
time, a of public Defence and for the purpose
of increasing the military strength of distant settlements
exposed to the hostile attacks and predatory visits of In
dian tribes but this has proved aacious matter of
public policy, account of complications in determn
ing the titles to lands thus granted In many cases.
tiers have preferred to pay for their lands under the pre-
empon laws and their titles at once than
for years and obtain their titles without the payment
of any consideration complying with the condition of
actual settlement and cultivation. Acts passed in
1912 and 1874 granting two hundred thousand of
land for the armed occupation of Florida and only about
onetwelfth of that amount has been secured finally
to claimants, while than twothrds has been wholly
forfeited The Secretary therefore expresses the opinion
that system of donations of this character while it
not called for by the bona de settlers is unwse unjust
unequal, and aught with mischief 1t has embarrassed
communities and retarded rather than accelerated settle
ments
Under the system of public sales and presumption
rights settlements have been made and per-
manen basis. The tide of emigration has rolled west
ward from the Atlantic coast driving the Indian before
it, and leaving in its prosperous States until it has
reached the heart of the continent while from tho
shores of the Pacific the enterpsng pioneer is on his
steady march eastward exploring unknown territory and
bringing to light the rich mine and the prolific soil which
the industrious settler will soon occupy and improve
The system yielding these results has been the work Of
enlightened legislation extending through half century
it peculiarly adapted to the and characteristics of
people, and needs material change.
The report of the Commissioner of the General Land
Office shows that during the fiscal year ending June 80
1858, there have been disposed of to individuals 1907
05S 46 acres of the public lands, of which g. sO4 9Os
sold for cash. yielding So ZIG, 1853 and sO2
1853 located with military bounty land war
rants. OF the quantity sold for cash. only sl7 529 IS
sold at and above 81 25 per acre. while the
remainder sold at graduated prices There has been
greater dimnution of cash receipts from the sales of
public lands than anticipated. This has been owing
in part to the filure of the crops in places and
the prevalence of sickness floods in others while the
scarcity money everywhere prevalent and paray
ing For these reasons there has been postponement
of sales in many but liberal indulgence has
already been afforded to the settlers upon unoered lands
it is contemplated to bring into open market several mil
lions of acres during the ensuing year. Much of the lands
which have been sold and located during the year were
for actual settlement cultivation.
On the 3Oth OF September, 1858, the quantity of sur
veycd lands ready to be brought into market was Gil
95l 069 and there then subject to sale at
private entry at all the land offices so 900 acres
Under the various acts of Congress Sic 1853 military boun
tyland warrants have been issued requiring So 800
of the public domain to satisfy them OF these
4l6 have been located Al $50 acres of land
II is expected that during the year the receipts from
the sales Of public lands and the quantities sold and To-
Gated will be greatly increased that the income from
this source if change be made in the system will
reach at least five millions of dollars.
The amounts Of swamp and ovcriowed lands granted
to the several States reported to the Both of Sepem
Der asst, nearly forty-onc million acres Patents
have been issued under the acts lS4g and 1850 for
more than thirty-six million acres.
During the saith Congress several acts were passed
making grants Of lands to different States for railroad pr
poses, and the department Withdrew from market those
public lands which it supposed would be likely to
fall within fifteen miles of the proposed roads The
grants to the States have been transferred to railroad
companies who have been notified that reasonable time
would be allowed to locate their routes definitely and in
the event of their failure to do the suspension of the
lands would be removed The length of the roads Thus
provided for is about $50 miles, and the quantity of land
which they will receive about III 1882 Gs7 acres or the
lands which had been withdrawn from market more than
10 500 900 have been restored since March 8 1857
and it is expected that additional quantities will be re-
stored early in the year 1859
The Secretary suggests the propriey of passing gen
eml law rcservng all auriferous, silver and cinnalar
mines for sao for the and occupancy the people of
the United States under such regulations as Congress
may prescribe and leaving those lands containing copper
iron, lead and coal subject to the ordinary laws Of settle
ment and sale for their development The extent of
these dees estimate and gives to people in
the future of unboundcd wealth
The propriey Of establishing land office in the Terri
tory of Utah Is also suggested and at the same time