The Placer herald., 1867-02-16
The Mineral Land Bill of Congress.

SEC. l. Be- it enacted, That the mineral lands OF
the public domain, bo' h surveyed and unsurveycd,
are hereby declared 10 be free and open 10 cxplor,
.ion and occupation by all citizens OF the United
States, and those who have drclMed their inten-
tion to become citizens. subject to such rcg,ila-
tions as may be prescribed by law, aud subject
also TO the local customs or rules OF miners in the
several mining districts, so Tar as the same may
not he in conflict with the laws OF the U. States.
SEC. 2. And be ii further enacted. That when
ever any person or association OF persons claim II
vein or lode Of quartz or other rock in place,
bearing gold, silver, ciCnabar. or copper, having
previously occupied and improved the same ac
cor.lng 10 the local custom or rules OF miners in
the district where the same is situated, and hav
ing expended in actual labor ard improvements
thereon an amount Of not less than $ 900 and in
regard to whose possession there Is no cOntrover-
~ or opposing claim. |, shall aud may be lawful
Tor said claimant or association OF claimants to
file in the local land Office diagram Of the same
50 extended IatcrAlIy or otherwise rs TO conform
10 the local laws. customs and rules Of miners,
aud TO enter such tract and receive pat cnt there
Tor granting such mine. together with the right
10 follow said vein or lO,lc with its dips, angles
and variations to any depth, although it may en-
ter the land adjoining. which land adjoining shall
bc sold subject 10 this condition.
SEC. 8. And he il further enacted. That upon
the filing OF the diagram rs provided in the sec.
Ond section OF this Act aud posting the same in
a conspicuous place on the claim together with II
notice Of intention 10 apply for patent, the reg.
i,trr OF the Land Office shall publish notice of
the same in ncwsp per published nearest 10 the
location OF said claim. and shall also post such
notice in hi- Office Tor the period OF 80 days; and
after The expiration OF said period. IL no adverse
claim shall have been fled 1t shall be the duty
vi 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
charac ter Ot the vein exposed; anl upon the pay
ment 10 the proper officer OF IS per acre, tOgeth-
cr with the cost OF such survey, plat. and notice,
and giving satisfactory evidence that said dia.
gram and notice have been posted on the claim
during said period Of 30 days, the register the
Laud Office shall transmit to the General Land
Office said plat. survey. and description, aud II
patent shall issue for the same ihereupon; but
raid 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 lodc which
shall bc expressed in the patent issued.
SEC. 4. And be II further enacted. That when
such location and entry oi Il nine shall be upon
unsurveyed lands, il shall and may he lawful,
after the extension thereto OF the public surveys
TO adjust the surveys TO the limits OF the prem.
ises according 10 the location and possession and
plat aforesaid, aud the Surveyor General may. in
extending the surveys, vary the same trum !, rec.
WuSuttr IOTHI W SuIt lne circumstances OF the
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 each locator. with IN additional claim
for discovery to the discOvcrcr OF the lode, with
the light to follow such vein 10 any DEPTH with
all its dips, variations and angles, together with
II reasonable quantity OF surface Cor the conven-
lent working OF the s,ne as fixed by local rules;
and provided further, that no person may make
more than one location on the same lode. and not
more than 5000 feet shall be taken in any ono
claim by any association OF persons.
SEC. 8. And be IL further cnac ted That as
further condition of SALE in the absence of me-
cess,ry legislation by Congress. the local Lesis-
laiuve OF amy State or Territory may provide
rules for working mines, involving easements.
drainage. AMI other necessary means 10 their
complete development and those conditions shall
be fully expressed in ihe patent.
SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That when
ever any adverse claimants to any mine located and
claimed as aforesaid shall appear before the up.
proval Of the survey, us provided in the third
section OF this Act, all proceedings shall be stay
ed until q final settlement and adjudication in
the courts OF competent jurisdiction OF the rights
Of possession to such claim, when u patent may
issue as in other cases. u.r
SEC. Z. And be it further enacted, That the
President Of the United States be, and is hereby,
authorized 10 establish additional land districts
aud TO appoint the necessary officers under exist.
ns laws, wherever he may deem the same neces-