The Placer herald., 1867-02-23
The Mineral Land Bill of Congress.

SEC l. Dn it enacted. That the mineral Lands of
the public domain, bo h surveyed aud unsniveycd,
are hereby declared to be free and open TO cXplora
tion and occupation by all citizens OF the United
States, and those who have declM ed their inteu-
,ion to become citizens. subject to such regula-
tious vs. may be prescribed 10y law. and subject
also 10 the local customs or rules OF miners in the
several mining districts, SO far as the same may
not be in conflict with the laws Of the U. States.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted. That when
ever any person or assocati"n OF persons claim Il
vein or lode OF quartz or other IT ok in place.
bearing gold, silver, cinnabar. or copper, having
previously occupied and improved the same ac-
couing 10 the local custom or rules Of miners in
the district where the same is situated, and hav
ing expended in actual labor a'd improvements
thereon an amount of rot less than S 900 and in
regard to whose possession there is no controver-
sy or opposing claim. il shall and may be Lawful
Tor said climIi or association OF claimants to
lille in the local land Office a diagram OF the same
so extended ulcrally or otherwise rs to conform
to The local laws. customs, and rules Of miners,
and to enter such tract and receive pal cnt there
Tor. granting such mine. together with The right
to follow said vein or lodc with its dips. angles
and variations to any depth. although it may en-
ter the land adjoining which Land adjoining shall
be sold subject TO this condition.
SEC $. And be ii further enacted That upon
the filing OF the diagram as provided in The SEC
ond section OF this Act. and posting the same in
IL conspicuous place on the claim together with "A
notice of intention TO apply for patent, the reg.
lister OF the Land Office shall publish notice of
the same in n ncwsp per published nearest TO the
| location Of said claim. aud shall also post such
notice in hi Office Tor the period Of 80 days; and
after The expiration OF said period. if no adverse
| claim shall have been filed, 1t shall be the duty
of the Surveyor General. upon application of the
party, TO survey the premises ana make pla
thereof. endorsed with his approval. designating
the number and description Of the location, the
value Of the labor and Improvements. and the
character OF the vein exposed; and upon the pay
ment to the proper officer OF s. per acre. togeth-
er with the cost Of snch survey, plat, and notice,
and giving satisfactory evidence that said dia-
gram and notice have been posted on the cllim
during said period of 90 days, the register of the
Land Office shall transmit TO the General Land
| Office said plat, survey. and description, aud !,
patent shall issue for the same thcrcupon; but
'aid plat survey. or description shall in no case
cover more than one vein or Lode and no patent
shall issue for more than one vein or lode, which
shall be expressed in the patent issued.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted. That when
such location and entry OF u nine Shall be upon
unsurveycd lands, il shall and may be lawful
alter The extension thereto Of the public surveys
| to adjust the surveys TO the limits OF the prem
ises according TO the location and possession and
| plat aforesaid, and the Surveyor General may. i'll
| extending the surveys, vary the same trcm a reg
tngular form to suit the circumstances of the
country aud the local rules. laws and customs Of
| miners; provided that no location hereafter
made shall exceed 200 feet in length along ,h,
vein for each locator. with an additional cluim
for discovery to the dseovcrcr of the lode will
the right TO follow such vein TO any depth with
all its dips, variations and angles. together will
il reasonable quantity OF surface Cor the conven
lent working Of the same as fixed by local rules
and provided further, that no person may max,
more than one location on the same lode. aud no
more than 5000 feet shall be taken in any ont
claim hy any association OF persons.
SEC 5. And be it further enacted, That as
further condition of sale in the absence OF ne
cessiry legislation by Congress the local Leeis
lature OF amy State or Territory may provide
rules for working mines, involving easements
drainage, AMI other necessary means TO theii
complete development. and those conditions shall
be fully expressed in the patent.
SEC 6. And be it further enacted, That when
evcrany adverse claimants to any mine located ant
claimed rs aforesaid. shall appear before the ap
proval OF the survey. rs provided in the thrt
section of this Act, all proceedings shall be stay
ed until Il final settlement and adjudication il
the courts ot competent jurisdiction of the ri sht
of possession to such claim, when patent may
issue as in other cases.
SEC. Z. And be it further enacted. That The
President of the United States be. and is hereby
authorized TO establish additional land districts
aud to appoint the necessary officers under exist
ng laWs, wherever 10 may deem the same neces