Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-18
cve flow by tidewater, ana therefore rot In q
condition : n

veiflow by tidewater and therefore rot in o
condition TO be surveyed.
Because thought the disposition OF the
Ian dS was lot clearly authorized by law
8. Because did not deem II proper to dispose
or lands situated in the immediate vicinity OF
,1t .ne cry OF washington, at nominal sum to
private parties, who could hold and use them
SO as to impede and obStruct harbor improve.
ments. unless the law clearly and imperatively
made 1t my duty to do So"
WHAT THE LAND OFFICE RECORDS SHOW.
ABOUT the same time OF this hearing before
the House committee correspondence was
held with the Land Offlce authorities as to the
circumstances under which the patent was
issued to Kidwell. In January, 1873, the House
of Representatives passed a resolution calling
upon the Attorney General to report to tn at
BODY whether the United States at any time
situated on the Potomac river or the Eastern
Branch thereof. from the Little Falls OF the
potomac peo 70 Jennings bridge on said Eastern
oranen; and II SO; to report whether in his CHE
tents convey valid title.'
Ihe Attorney General sent the communica-
,sH tion 10 Secretary Delano, and it was by him
Oliice 1or report In bis report the COmmis-
Upon examination OF the records and files in
been issued to John L. Kidwell on the 5th day
OF December, 1862 for a parcel OF land near to
and adjoining the Washington shore OF the
fotomac river, separated from the main land
py boat channel from three to five feet wide
and extending from 21st street west to Easily S
snip yaId. 6s per plat accompanying copy Of the
patent herewith.
The land was surveyed under the provisions
OF joint resolution OF Congress approved FeO-
ruary 16, 1889, United States Laws. volume s
page se5.l and regulations prescribed by the Sec.
retary OF the Treasury. dated August 10, 1882
printed copy inclosed herewith.
ID thlS connection deem 1t proper to observe
That. apart from the said patent issued to Mr.
:kldWell for forty-seven and seVenty-one
lhundiedths acres OF land, the records of this
oonlce. show that another patent was issued
March 81 1856, to John Moore for tract of
land called 1.-The Three Sisters situated in the
Potomac river just above Georgetown, d. C..
containing three acres and two rods.
Although the records and files OF this Office
disclose the fact that but two patents have
been issued for lands in the Potomac river since
the passage OF the resolution OF Congress in
mace oy persons to enter vacant lands In the
river on which money appears to have been
paid to the United States Treasury, and his
orders issued TO the commissioner OF the
general l land Office to have the lands applied
Among the most recent applications OF this
klEd 1s one made by the aforesaid John L. Kid
.e "en @ aasea SEPTEMBER 5, 1871 for the survey OF
Tue Potomac River between the Maryland and
Virginia channels OF the Potomac River south
OF me Long Bridge, and as far south as the
land extends In the District OF Columbia. con
tanning by estimate thirty. i've acres.n Also
lhe tract north OF the Long Bridge, containing
1lVe acres. more or less this latter application
Celng supplemental to and cumulative OF his
application for said last piece of land, made
June 10. 1861, the two tracts containing togetner
fOIty acres, more or less. No action, however
has been had by this Office as yet looking to the
Issuing OF warrants of SURVEYS to the siIryayor
OF the county OF Washington
NO moneys under the resolution of February
Is, 1889 have been made or warrants for moneys
Issued since took charge Of the Land Office.