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

SEC l. Be it enacted That the mineral Lands OF
the public domain, bo surveyed aud unsnivcycd,
are hereby declared to be free and open TO cXpora
ton and occupation by al! citizens OF the United
States. and those who have declM ed their inteu-
tion to become citzens subject to such regula-
tious as may be prescribed by law. and subject
also 10 the local Gust oms 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 association OF persons claim
vein or lode Of quartz or other rock in place.
bearing gold, silver cEnabar. or copper, having
previously occupied and improved the same ac-
corine 10 the local custom or rules Of miners in
the dist rict where the same is situated, and hav
ing expended in actual labor aid improvements
thereon an amount Of not less than S 900 and in
regard to whose possession there is no controyer
~ or opposing claim. ii shall and may be lawful
iur said clamu t or association oil claimants to
lille in the local land Office diagram OF the same
50 extended Mtcrally or otherwise as to conform
| TO the local laws. customs, and rules Of miners.
and to entcr}uch tract and receive patent there
Tor. granting such mine together with the right
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 shall
be sold subject to this condition.
SEC. $. And be it further enacted That upon
! the filing oil the diagram as provided in the sec
ond section OF this Act. and posting the same in
conspicuous place on the claim together with Il
notice OF intention TO apply for patent, the reg.
lister OF the Land Office shall publish notice of
the same in a ncwsp lper published nearest 10 the
location OF said claim. aud shall also post such
notice in hi Office Tor the period Of 80 days; and
after The expiration oil said PERIOD if no adverse
claim shall have been filed, 1t shall be the duty
OF the Surveyor General. upon application OF the
party, 10 survey the premises an'. make pla
thereof. endorsed with bis 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
mcnt to The proper officer OF s. per acre. togcth.
er with the cost Of such survey, plat and notice,
and giving satisfactory evidence that said dia-
| gram and notice have been posted on the lain
during said period of 80 days the register Ct the
Land Office shall transmit 10 the General Land
Office said plat, survey, and description, and a
patent shall issue for the same thereupon; but
laid 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 aud entry OF y mine Shall be upon
unsurveycd lands, it shall and may be lawful
alter the extension thereto Of the public surveys
to adjust the surveys to the limits OF the prem
ses according TO the location and possession and
plat aforesaid, and the Surveyor General may. III
extending the surveys, vary the same irom Il rec
tangular form to suit the circumstances of the
country ANA the local rules laws and Gust Ors o
miners; provided, that no location hereafter
made shall exceed 200 feet in length along ,h,
vein for each locator with an additional claim
for discovery to the discovcrcr of the Lode Will
the right 10 follow such vein to any depth will
all its dips, variations and angles. together will
II reasonable quantity OF surface Cor the conven
lent working Of the same as fixed by local rules
and provided further, that no person may make
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 Lees
lature OF amy State or Territory may provide
rules for working mines, involving easements
drainage, AMI other necessary means TO thei
complete development, and those conditions shall
, bc fully expressed in the patent.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted That when
evcrany seclaimants any mine located an,
claimed as aforesaid, shall appear before the ap
proval OF the survey. rs provided in the thir,
section OF this Act, all proceedings shall be stay
, ed until final settlement and adjudication il
the courts ot competent jurisdiction Of the right
, of possession to such claim, when patent ma,
, issue as in other cases.
SEC. Z. And be il further enacted. That th
President Of the United States be. and is hereby
! authorized to establish additional land district
, aud to appoint the necessary officers under exist
ng lava wherever bs NAY deem the same neces