The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-11

results of sales in those States first, that
we have twice the amount of these lands in
proportion to our area--and three or four
times the aggregate amount; second, that
under the appraisal method of those States
the interests of the fund have been uniformly
sacrificed to the interests of local combina-
tons. While, therefore, they have managed
to get rid of a large amount of lands in q
short space of time-which has seemed to be
the main object-they have realized only
small proportion of their true value to the
State. The minimum of $l,25 which the
Legislatures of those States adopted, shows
at how low rate they priced the national
boon.
The results of their short>sighted policy,
ought to be sufficient warning against the
errors of their example. Considerably
more than half of the school lands have
been sold in these States within the last ten
years, and the fund realized in each case has
been less than two million dollars. 1t would
be mere repetition to say thatunder proper
system, nearly the same results might have
been obtained from third of the land sold.
In Michigan, when minimum of 50,
originally obtained, afterwards reduced to
30, out of only million acres of school
lands, one-third have been sold in twenty
years, with resulting fund of 81, 6l3,434.
1t is worthy of remark, that over 100000
OF this was produced by the sales of the first
five years, at an average of 81 per acre.
You will not understand me as attempt
ing to fix a precise valuation for the school
lands, but as simply indicating the princi-
pies upon which, in my view, the minimum
should be adjusted. But while adhering to
a high valuation, it will be desirable to
facilitate sales by the most liberal condi-
tions consistent with the security of the
principal and the prompt payment of the
interest. A quarter of the purchase money
paid down with interest on the remainder
at seven per cent. for thirty or more years,
would probably be considered better bar
gain to the purchaser than much lower
price, accompanied with those higher rates
of interest and restricted time usual in pri-
vate cOnveyances.
The same general principles which have
suggested for the disposal of the school
lands will apply, with some notifications to
the university lands. These, embracing in
all 46,0S0 acres have been selected, I doubt
not, with care and judgment-a considera-
BILE portion of them lying in the heart of the
finest agricultural region Of the State, and
the remainder consisting of choice pine
lands. For the farming lands would sug-
gest the Michigan minimum, OF about twelve
dollars per acre, and for the pine lands,
about
The capitol lands embracing 6,4OO acres,
selected in the county of Kandiyohi, it is
to be presumed, are entitled to high valu-
alton.
The value of the Saline lands depends
very much on the saliferous character of the
lakes or springs to which they are attached.
The disposition of these may we'll be re.
served until we are better informed on the
subject
The amount of swamp lands accruing to
the State under the act of March IL, 1860,
is not accurately known. Within the limits
of the United States survey their area is
computed from the original plats and field
notes in the Office of the Surveyor General
at l,029 400 acres.
In communication, dated the third in
slant, General Emerson furnishes me the
following other interesting statements;
Area of land surv'd into Townships 27,2lO,sSO
do subdivided into sections 2l,S55,C04
do unsurveyed, (estimated) 25,80O960
do do swamp land 6,450, 24O
Undoubtedly the larger proportion of the
Swamp Lands, to which we are entitled, are
embraced in the unsurveyed country, in which
lie the rich savannas of the Red River val
ley and the great lake region Of the North.
In my own judgment, however, the estimate
of 5000, 900 acres, as the aggregate amount.
is sufficiently accurate for present purposes.
The character of this immense surface, diff
fers largely from that of lands designated as
Swamp in some other States. Instead OF
miasmatic bottoms reeking with the elements
of disease, they are generally fiat, low lands
of the summit levels, where numerous lakes
feed the sources of our streams. The fertile
meadows which are interviewer in all our lake
districts and the wide valleys of our streams.
subject at long intervals to overflow, make up
the mass of these lands. From the nature OF
their situation, they are capable of easy
reclamation and in fact, this is being grad
ually effected without expense, by the pro-
gress of cultivate and settlement. And
it is we'll known fact that constant
and rapid process of drainage is going on
in the upper lake country, by the silent
agency of nature, which in no long time
will add largely to the agricultural areas of
the State. In climate so dry as ours, We
may naturally expect that lands of this
class will eventually be the most valuable
in the State.
In this connection may properly call
your attention to communication of the
Secretary of the Interior-requesting to be
advised whether the State in its selections
of swamp lands will abide by the plats and
field notes of the U. S. Survey, or prefer a
re-survey by her own agents. As the def
milton of swamp lands is left for the most
part to the caprice of the surveyor, the
State would probably obtain large increase
of area by ordering partial re-survey. If
you should determine such survey advisa.
BILE, would recommend that it be made
by contract at established prices-each con-
tract covering q. S. Land District-as the
returns, am advised, will have to be sent
to the department in that form.
A great part of the swamp lands, EN-.
bracing islands and bottoms of the Missis-
sippi river, and in the northern districts Of
the State are covered with valuable woods,
demanding stringent laws for their prOtec-