The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-06-17
Sr LOUIS. June z, 1858.
Hon. SAMUEL d. gAsHrs, jr.

RAUeHn0, u:
SIR:-Itis our impression that we wrote |
you letter recently, concerning Missouri
lands, wherein we may have stated that the
Act Of Congress had been changed. We
retained no copy of snch letter, but as we
are OF opinion that one was written, we
might. with better propriety. have said that
the affidavit has been chGnged-but as the
Act of Congress prescribes the form of tn"
sffidavit, you can see for yourself that
change in the one moy safely be called q
change in the other.
| The Law, and the only ldiO may be found
| in the United States Statutes at large, and
consists of three eections. There ID no
other law pertaining TO Graduated lands, OF
which we have any knowledge. unless II be
The act confirming all entries made prior to
March 80, 1857. The affidavit is in effect
the same as the Sd section Of the act, by
which you will see that there is nothing
compelling the person making it, to settle
within a given time. There is no time re-
striction in the act. The time is unlimited,
hence vou can settle when YOU Please.-
Therefore, practically, no settlement is neces
sGry. This is our opinion only-nnd we
believe $4,000 business men in st. Louis
will coincide with US. If you think fuller
explanation necessary, we will give 1t
But we never intended to convey the idea
that one man could acquire mare than 52C
e acres in his own name.
L But If ether men acquire it, and quit'claln
n it to you, we can certainly see nought tina
is Objectionable therein. This has beef
done ever since the act WIS passed, an
e thousands have received their patents there
:. for--and now, that precisely similar cir
IT cumstances exist, why will not others ge
their patents. The Commissioners instruc
y tons are by no means law. His inslruC
ID ti6ns are binding in so far as they fnciltat
f. the administration of the law-but whe
% they are al variance herewith. as in til
:. instance, where they establish time RI
, striction, of which noueht is said in tn
~ law, they are no longer considered author
ID tv. Yours truly,
b. REED g. SCOTT.
ct In conclusion, will now only add. tn
le it must be very interesting to all the prescl
er and prospective members of Congress,
is learn what they will do in walking in Il
I'd footsteps of their honest and "illustrio'
d, predecessors. Let them and the public
,e "the constituency"--be thankful that the
u. sis yet q prophet in Israeli" and let evel
speculator "grab" all the land he cnn, +
te he has the ''sure word of prophecy that
as prospe ctive Congress will confirm oil the
fraudulent entries and give 'men OF strav
n. power 10 quit. claim their entries to en-
in of means"
en- Since these men have been so frank
N giving the above legal opinion, ard sin
u. they have given assurance that it will
s. backed up by fifty thousand business men
a. 81. Louis, the editor of the Missouri Den
~ ~ crGt certainly ought to apologize for
i'm reckless tbrusts, at Gland spcculntors W
feed upon the vitals of the people," ma
In the article which you re published fro
;, that paper.
oe Congress, the Commissioner of the Ge
10 eral Land Office, the Secretary of the In
10 rior, the United Stntes Attorney Gene
III and the people Of the whole country, w
no doubt, be very grateful for that clear q
learned legal opinion, and will in due tin
ell d doubt, suitably reward the authors.
VS. VS. Is it not reasonable to hope that they W
e. speedily communicate to "uil the world a
IN. the rest of mankind" the modes opera'
IN of entering lover ten thousand acres il
~ hurry by working ut night" and get Fl
is thousato business HE" 10 co'nc'ue
their opinion that there is nothing obj
u tionable in it.
TO- Respectfully yours,
l' "o w. s. BAKER