, 1879-11-29
NogTE PACIFIC RAILROAD LANDS.
Northern Pacific Rai,rocd. Company.
LETTER FROM G rN SPRiGJE.

Ia accordance with requests from numer-
ous settlers on the land grant OF the North
ern Pacific railroad company We addressed
a letter to the superintendent, Gen Sprague.
asking the questions embodied below. We
thank Gen Sprague for his sneedy. cempli-
ance with oe. request and say that nothing
can be more satisfactory than his answer
which we publish below ia eItenSo.
OFFICE OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, /
Netc TdcoAiG, ". r., Nor. =, 1879. e
FRASK J. PARKER. ESQ, Editor Ct the Walla
Wal!a SraTEsN :-icGT ST. IGn ask me
the following questions
l. Can the Northern Pagisc E&iiroai com
pany give GOOD and Iihc.ent titles IL ihe lands
they now offer for s-l=!
, What il congress shall declare their grant
forfeited,
3 VIII the railroad company refund to those
who pay purchase mGnsy now!
4. When will the la:,.s OF the grant in this
immediate vicinity be in the market,
> All railroad lands are understood to be
mortcagcd the signature Of the Trustee
|. make valid decd
To .yusr- first question, l reply: This
company has net vet acquired full title to
the lands srantc,thy tie government to aid
III construction Of the Pen d'Oraillc division,
that part OF the cOmplIy's road is now being
constructed, AND waen ceirileted, the com-
pany viii have as good TILE IS the United
States government can give
Answer 10 secoid question Ii congress
shall declare the grant to this company for
felted before tie completion OF the road
nov under construction then, probably,
the company would fail to acquire title to
the lands referred to. There is about as
mnch probability of congress taking such
action as there is of congress deliberately en-
acting tnat the United States shall surrender
and forever b. under the control Of the late
southern confederaey.
Answer to third question: Ii for any
carse tins company cannot or does not give
GOO! title to all lands sold by them, the pur-
chased money will be refunded promptly,
and as a matter of course.
Answer To fourth question The railroad
lands il the :Ircdiate vicinity of Walia
Walla will most likely be offered for sale
soon after tie exact limits OF the grants have
been officially announced by the Hon. corr
missioncrs OF the general lant Office Of the
United States.
Answer to fifth question: Al lands
granted to aid in the construction Of ell rail
roads III the United States are usually mort
gagged. Trustees ale appointed who have
fail power to unite III conveyanceS OF titles to
such lands, and when they are paid for the
lands are entirely free aud clear OF all incum-
brances on account ot sach mortgage
desire to say IN conclusion thar al moneys
received or 10 he received from sales of land
on the Pea 'Oricl!e division will be set apart
and Sacrcdly reserved, under charge OF the
moT:.aged trustees for final Equidation of
tie mortgage. Tins company Was induced
TO offer the lands OF the Pen ofOrielle divIs-
ION thus early on account of numberlesS ex-
preSslons ~ anxiety on the part OF settlers
on railroad lands 10 knO,Q Whdt the lands Mcy
'rere tmprOriny TOgid cls them. Recognizing
the reasonableness of this DESIRE of settlers
the president, Hon. Frederick Billings, au-
thorIzed me to offer the lands for sale at such
price as | should deem advisable Acting
at Jnree dollars per aere-ote fourth cash
and the remainder IL four equal annual pay
ments with seven Per cent. per an:u'n inter
ISL ~ y subsequent meeting Ol lNc DDaTu
OF directors Of tins company resolu ion was
passed authorizing the sale Of the companys
lands for cash at two dollars and fifty ce;Its
per acre with ten cents per acre added to
cover Office and other expenses. Tais reso-
luton has been extensively pGL.ished and
need not be repeated here. For term sales,
the price and terms heretofore announced
Will be adhered 10.
This company believes that in k.ng such
action III relation to It's lands it has shown
a friendly spirit % hberall;y to all who have
settled or may hereafter settle on railroad
lands, that has never been een..Ied By any
railroad company III the United States.
If the people of Washington territory are
in the development and prosperity
Of this country the Northern Pacific railroad
company is equally interested, aud By Its
OF It's land grant and in al
other ways desires to manifest It's devotion
to the best interests OF the commonwealth {;
progress and prosperity uneqGalled, are rap |
idly dawnins upon the people CT the north
ern portion OF our Union; let us wisely CO.
operate and secure the best fruits.
Very Respectfully,
j. W. SFEAGUE, GeuL Supt