, 1860-12-07
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY Ol
THE INTERIOR,
fcorrespoadsnea otthe Chicago T11bune.]

THE 1NIE1k1OAs
From the Report Of the Secretary Of the In
terror, VIC make such extracts as will bcof
interest to our readers:
THE prnEc LAND SYSTEM.
During the fiscal year ending June 80, 1sG0,
and the quarter ending the 30th Of September
last, To- ,3Gl acres oil public lands have been
proclaimed for sale. During the same period,
1,6a9,as1 acres have been surveyed and pre-
pared for market, and 1860 ,o5S.ss acres have
been disposed Of in the following manner:
3,9s,619.60 acres hare been sold for cash, yield
ing g., OIL lbs ~; 1870 030 acres lave been ab
sorbed by the location of bounty land war
rants; 3,037, ,1s0.a3 acres approved to States
under the swamp grants; and 2665, ,623 acres
under the railroad grants. The number Of
military bounty lind warrants outstanding on
the 30th Of September last was Il ,4463, and they
will require 6,196, $50 acres Of the public do
main to satisfy them.
In former reports have expressed my teci-:
dcd approval Of our existing public land sys-
tcm, aud MT objections to any radical change
in it. Forty years ago, the minimum price Of
the public lands was liked ut $l.35 per acre,
and at this rate the principal portion Of the
lands in thirteen large and popnlous States on
the eastern slope Of the continent hare becu
settled, purchased and improved; and two
States on the Pacific coast have now risen into
importance, and arc rnpidiy advancing to pow
rs to the price at Which public lands arc sold.
The system Of surveysis perfect, the price is
moderate, and the settler il secured III bis i'm
provemcnts. This being done, the lands not
taken BY pre-emptors are offered at public sale,
|: the unsold Eands become subject private Gu
try, and the settler on such tract is allowed
twelve months within which to make proof
and payment for the quarter section upon
which lie has fixed bis home.
When lands have been subject to private en-
try for more than ten years, the price td actual
settlers and culttyators is reduced, from time
to time, until, after the expiration Of thirty
years, it Is only twelve and a half CENTS pcr
acre. The donatlon-impsopcrly1 termed homa~
stead-policy, based upon the E4llacy that
residence on tract Of land for certain nuna-
bcr Of years shall, instead Of Z fixed price, be
made the consideration which shall cntitle the
settler to tho land lie selects and occupies. has
been tried, and, as stated in my annual reports
met with public condemnation 1t was annoy
ing to the settler, productive Of controversies,
aud injurious to the communities in which
the donations were made.
During the past year, In every case Of the
proclamation and public Offering OF extensive
portions of the public landa, urgent requests
have been made, as heretofore, for postpone
ment Of the sales thus ordered. These re-
quests could not be acccded 10 without inter-
rupting the harmonious operation Of the Laws
constituting our land system, which requires
| the public lands to be brought into market
lands are disposed Of and other Lands surveyed.
| As there has not been any considerable ctnl-
petition or cash demand Tor new lands during
the past year, the settlers on the lands brought
| into market, who Ecrc unable, from particular
| mfsfortunes, to make payment before the day
OF sale, have generally been able to ale deca1a-
tory statements after the Jay Of sale and thus
| avail themselves Of the twelve months credit
secured By law to prc-emptors Of lands subject
to private entry. It Is believed therefore, that
settlers have suffered no serious harlshtpe.
| Owing to the slight demand for Lands as an in.
sales have been ninconsiderable, when compared
| With, the quantity Of land offered.
Experience las demonstrated the wisdom
| aud prppriety Of tho recommendations con-
tanned III my last annual report trst, that, IN
| spirit OF Gberality to a]t settlers upon unof-
fertd lands, two years should be allowed, from
the date Of settlement, within which to make
proof and payment; and, second, that it Should
be made Incumbent upon the Executive to
| offer ut public eale, BY proclamation, within
two.yeafs after surrey, al the lands that have
not been claImed hy settlers.
Theincome from The public lands during four
years past has not been 50 great IA was e
pectcd. The Commercial revulsion OF 1857,
followed us 1t was By short crops in most Of
the new States and Territories, checked imnf
grafton; aud also the inclination OF capitalists
10 make further Investments But this is not
the sole eanse of reduction II this revenne.
The manner Of disposlng Of the public Lands
has been mado topic Of political discussion
and, whilst some enigrant families hare made
settlements and delayed giving the proper no
ticc, OF making aoy payments, in the 7e1pecta'
i ton Of donation, other persons, who are con
templating emigration, have deferred their re.
moTal IRON their old homes and the purchase
/ OF lands for settlement awaiting some definite
legislation upon the subject Should tho dis.
j cnssion Of alterations in our land system
cesst, It Is believed that this revenue derived
annual average, especially il the quantity o
i uulocated land warrants outstanding shoplG
continue to diminish from year 10 ycar as ia,
three years past
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