The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-02-01
HILLSDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, FEB L. 1859.

twenty five cents per acre, and but one
fourth being required down, to actual set
tiers, and the balance in ten years thercaf
ter, at an annual interest at seven per cent
has given very general satisfaction.
But the requirement by law of persons
desiring to settle, of making their affija
Wits before the Commissioner only, it is
thought should DO dispensed with, as use.
less burthen upon those living at distance
from the Land Office, amounting in many
instances to an absolute barrier of purchase
10y poor men, for settlement, who are una.
BILE to bear the extra expense Of this mode
of obtaining their certificate of title. l
would therefore respectfully suggest the
Importance Of such modification of this
feature Of the law, that any person desiring
to settle Upon these lands can do so by ma
king the required affidavit before any per-
son in his town or county properly qualified
TO administer an oath, and forwarding the
Same to the Land Office; and if satisfacto.
ry to the Commissioners, and accompanied
by the required fourth payment down,
that the Certificate be issued upon such sat
isfactory affidavit, and be returned to the
applicant, as he or she may direct. This
was the practice by the applicants as nd
joining owners and settlers, under Sec. o of
this law, and it was found TO work equally
as safe and satisfactory TO the interests Of
the State, and all concerned, as when til,
affidavit wac made before the Commission
or, and saved the settler living remote from
the Land Office, and unable to bear it,
much unnecessary travel and expense.
All Of this class of lands have been ad-
vertiscd according TO law and brought into
market, for which patents have been re-
ceived and the re-surveys perfected by the
general government.
The amount is 4,526,s92 67-1Oo acres,
and the cost Of advertising 81, ,554 rs of the
$4,000 allowed by The law for advertising
the same by full descriptions in every coun.
ty in which paper was published at the
time Of the passage Of the law. The bal
ancc Of these lands yet unpatcnted and con.
still out of market in the State,
and where located, can be seen by refer.
ence to the annual report of this depart
ment of December lst 1857. It is respect
fully submitted whether general notice of
The public sale Of the balance of these lands
under tho restrictions Of the present law, as
hey may from time to time be patented
10 the State, insteal of full descriptions as
required by the present law, would not be
simply sufficient for all practical purposes
If bringing them into market for his pri-
1ate entry.
have been assured by His Excellency,
he Governor, upon whom it devolvcs more
specially. TO call for tho patents of these
ands from the general government, that
hey will be made out and forwarded at
he very earliest practicable period. This
5 much TO be desired, as numerous applica-
ions have already been made for their pur-
.hasc for settlement and cultivation, By
persons living in their immediate vicinity,
IS well rs from many others resident in
md out of the State.
A portion of tho unpatented lands, rs
will be seen by my report Of December 1,
s57, being located in counties considera-
'ly settled, have essentially retarded the
ettlement and cultivation of these lands
n some Of these counties. Such has been
he cagcriness to settle upon some of these
ands. that many have already done SO, be-
ore and since the passage of the present
aw, trusting in the good faith of tho State
hat it would at its next session re. enact
he main features of the law of 1858, ia
oring settlers and adjoining owners, with
uch notifications as might seem called for
o take effect as soon as these lands shall
'e patented TO the State, and to be in force
S long as may be deemed advisable,
Persons residing in the vicinity of the
900 acres of these lands in the township
f Lansing, Meridian, Bath and Dewitt, in
he counties Of Ingham and Clinton, which
'erc kept out Of market by the act of the
legislature Of last session, to be improved
y the Agricultural College, have been cx-
eedingly for an opportunity to effect their
purchase, settlement, and cult alton, as
oon as these lands should be brought into
market. They much desire their speedy
gttlemett and cultivation in their particu
'r localities, entirely irrespective of any OBJ
'cts to which tho proceeds of their sale
nay bo appropriated, as their present un-
coupled condition remains n serious incon.
ehieuce and annoyance to their respective
eighborhoods, like much of the unim-
roved marsh lands in the immediate vic;n-
y Of settlements.
COUNTY TREAsURERs.
Act No. 1873, s. L. 1855, authorizing
'ounty Treasurers, under certain regua-
ons, to receive money on account Of the
rust Fund Lands in their respective couu.
es, makes provision for the purchas ,rs of
ny those lands, their agents, assignees,
r attorneys to pay interest, principal or
cnalty, 10 County Treasurers in anv coun-
, in which the lands lie who shall have
reviously executed n good and sufficient
ond to the State according to Sec. of
he Act.
According to Section s Of this fact, the
Commissioner of tho Land Office is re.
uircd to send out by tho first Of February
each year, to all the County Treasurers
tho State, blank bonds with tho penal
I'm fixed therein of not less than double
,e amount liable to come into their hands |