The Placer herald., 1866-10-13
The Mineral Land Bill Of Congress

SEC l. Be it enacted, That the mineral lands OF
the public domain. bo h surveyed and unsulvpyed,
are hereby declare 10 be free and open to cxplora-
ton and occupation by all citizens Of the United
States. and those who have declared their inten-
tion TO brcome citizens. subject 70 such regula-
tions as may be prescribed by law. aud subject
also TO the local customs rules oI miners in the
several mining districts. TAR as the same may
not he in conflict with the laws Of the U. States.
SEC. 2. And he ii further cuacted. That when
ever any person or ASSOCIATE II OF persons clairn a
vein or lode OF quartz or other II ok in place.
bearing gold, silver, crnabar or "copper" having
previously occupied and improved the same ac-
cOring 10 the local custom or rules OF miners in
the district where the same is situated. aud hav.
ing expended in actual labor Il Il improvements
thereon an amount Of not less han 5 900 and in
regard TO whose possession there is no conirovcr-
sy or opposing claim. ii shall and may be lawful
Tor said claimant or association OF claimants TO
lle in the local land office Il diagram Of the same
so extended atrrally or otherwise as to conform
to the local laws. customs, and rules Of min"rs
and to enter nch tract aud receive patent there
for granting such mine. together with the light
to follow said vein or lode with its dips. angles
and variations to any depth. although it may en-
ter the land adjoining which land adjoining 81 al
be sold subject to this condition.
SIC. 8. And be ii further enacted That upon
the filing OF the diagram as p Divided in the SEC
ond section OF this Act and posting the same in
Il conspicuous place OIL the claim together with a
notice Of intention to apply for a patent the ree.
ister oI the Land Office shall publish notice of
the same in newsp per published nearest to the
location of said claim. and shall also post such
notice in hi Office Tor the period Of 90 days; and
after The expiration oil said period. if no adverse
claim shall have been fled It shall be the duty
Of the Surveyor General. upon application OF the
party. TO survey the premises an. make a pla
thereof endorsed with his approval. designating
the number and description Of the location. the
value OF the labor and improvements. and the
character o lhe vein exposed; an upon The pay
ment 10 The proper officer OF So per acre. togeth.
er with the cost Of such survey. plat. and notice,
and giving satisfactory evidence that said di,.
gram and notice have been posted on the claim
during said period Of 80 days, the register f he
Land Office shall transmit to the General Land
Office said plat. survey. and description, and a
patent shall issue tor the same hereupon but
said plat. survey. or description shall in no case
cover more than one vein or lode, and no patent
shall issue for more han one vein or lode which
shall be expressed in the patent issued.
SEC. t. And be il further enacted That when
such location and entry oil n ne shall be upon
unsurvcyed lands. it shall and may be lawful
after the extension thereto Of the public surveys
to adjust the surveys 10 the limits OF the prem.
ises according to the location and possession and
plat aforesaid, and the Surveyor General may in
extending the surveys, vary the same from "A re,
country and the local rules. laws and customs OF
miners; provided, that no location hereafter
made shall exceed 200 feet in length along the
vein for eac, locator with an additional claim
for discovery to the discovcrcr OF the lode. with
the right to follow such vein to any deptb with
all its dips. variations and angles together with
Il reasonable quantity OF surface .or the conven-
lent working OF the same as iixed by local rules;
and provided further that no person nay make
more than one location on the same lode and not
more than 5000 feet shall be taken in any one
claim by any association of persons
SEC. 5. And be it lurihar enacted That az n
further condition Of sale, in the absence of ne
cesslry Legislation by Congress. the local Lecis-
latnre OF any State or Territory may provide
rules for working mines. involving easements.
drainage, an other necessary means to their
complete development and those conditions shall
be fully expressed in the patent
| SEC 6. And be it further enacted. That wben-
ever any adverse claimants to any mine located and
claimed as aforesaid, shall appear before the an
proval Of the survey. as provided in the third
section OF this Act, all proceedings shall be stay
ed until n final settlement and adjudication in
the courts OF competent jurisdiction of the ri iehts
of possession TO such claim, when a pateut ma v
issue rs in other cases.
SEC 7. And be it further enacted, That the
President of the United States be, and is hereby.
authorized to establish additional land districts
and to appoint the necessary officers under exist.
ing laws, wherever he may deem the same neces.