The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-06-19
MINERAL LAND ENTRIES.

The opinions of Commissioner Wilson
in regard to the amount of mineral lands
that may be located by individuals or
companies appear TO have undergone a
change that will materially affect those
desiring to take up leads under the law
OF July 26, 1866. In reply to letter of
Hon. Bella NJ. Hughes, of Colorado, some
time since, the Commissioner stated that
under the provisions and within the
meaning of tie Act, two or more persons
would constitute an association author
lied TO locate 1900 feet. This letter has
in many localities been accepted as a
ruling, and was published in Yates
San Francisco treatise on mining laws
The erroneous impression conveyed in
this letter the Commissioner is about to
correct in letter TO Mr.. Yates, and a
decision soon to be made in n mining
case that comes within its scope in the
Marysville District, California. This
Information is conveyed to the press of
Colorado by Messrs. Britton & Gray,
Attorneys, Washington, who are init
mate with the views now entertained
at the General Land Office. The follow
ing extracts from the communication,
coming as it does vouched for as relia-
BILE, we deem of sufficient Importance to
Montanians to reproduce:
When the commissioner addressed General
Hughes the whole subject of mining laws and
customs was new 90 his Office. No opportu-
nifty had been enjoyed to collect and digest
such information as would enable him to put
the law in operation upon sound principles of
construction. Hence his rulings at that early
date were immature, and in the nature of a
''leap in the dark" But since then, Mr.
Wilson has been a close student of mining
law, and his mature judgment rejects much
that he had heretofore adopted. This is the
case with the question. in point. He now
holds that parties may apply to him for a
mining patent, either as locaters of the mine
or purchasers. IF as locaters, that they are
restricted to the number of feet allowed by
the local law and customs, so long as tAe
game does not exceed the maximum of two
hundred feet allowed to EACH locator by the
act of congress. In such case it would re-
quire fourteen applicants to receive a patent
for 3 200 feet, if one is claimed by discovery.
But if as purchasers, then even one appli-
cant, by exhibiting certificates of purchase,
or other lawful chain of conveyance from
sufficient number of original locators, can re-
ceive patent for three thousand feet.
We understand the conflict in your Terri
tory to have reference to the location of
mining claims. In such case not more than
two hundred feet can be located by one per-
son, with an additional claim for discovery !;
and an association of locators can only take
in the same ratio to each member up TO the
maximum for the whole of three thousand
feet
The Grass Valley Union has the latest
reason for the selection of Colfax as Vice
President on the ticket with Grant.
Being the more Radical of she two, he
was nominated as kind of life assur-
ance for Grant. his more extreme views
assuring that Grant will not be Boothed
as long as such an unmigitated Radical
stands heir apparent to the office