National Republican., 1883-05-09
Tho New Orleans Pacific Land Grant.

The following letter was yesterday written
and delivered by Senator Van Wyck in per.
son, to the secretary Of the interior:
wAsHISGTos, May 8, 1Ss3-Dedr Sir When the
order was made recognizing the claim Of tito New
Orleans Pacific Railway company TO u land grant
many years forfeited, felt II my duty to ask your
department TO be informed OF the progress OF pro-
ceedings with the view TO oppose any further le-
public domain by p CORPORATION Which had Soi nI
even the sefnblance or legal or equitable right,
and also to protect settlers who have beon occu-
pylng aud improving portions of this dead grant.
The Now Orleans, Baton Rouge, aud Vieksburg
Railway company In 1871 obtained q large grant,
specifying That said company shall complete the
passage Of the act"
Five years expire, not mile built; not even
survey not q definite location The only act was
10 issue aud distribute bonds among the patriots
who were intent upon developing the country.
Five years more pass. and the grant Is, doubly
dead.Inot yet mile constructed or even definitely
lis third act was In December $780, to assign
whatt DID not ownto another corporation, which
1875, 10 build through substantially the same sec.
ton without the expectation OF any aid, known as
the New Orleans Pacific company, which finally
also been patrlotically developing the country so
that millions OF dollars and millions Of acres had
rewarded their sacrifices and exerlions
1t became necessary for the system of roads they
controlled to connect with New Orleans. They
built without any assurance of aid from the land
u
definite location Of any portion of the road. They
knew only congress could vitalze the dormant
grant. II is great presumption even for a railway
corporation TO assume that this could be accom-
plished simply by their fiat And now they hope
TO forestall action by this recognition they have
obtained from your department.. The must well
know that the title TO these lands Is not complete
until final action by congress.
realize your embarrassment when congress, at
It's last session failed TO act, aud tho attorney
general had given to your department, in re.
sponse to the request of your predecessor, an
opinion that tho company had a right to said
grant.
An additional necessity for this notice is that
the present company--the New Orleans Pacific
are about issuing mortgage and bonds on the
basis OF this forfeited land grant, aud thoy
naturally desire 1t legalized long enough to place
these bonds on tho market. Two trustees are
named, one In tho interest OF the present COM
pany and one In the interest of the bonds Issued
Twelve years ago. So the victims arc to be the
people-the settlers on that portion Of tho public
domain--or purchasers Of the bonds,
My object Is that congress shall not be met next
session with the plea that innocent purchasers
have bought these bonds and that thoy should bo
protected.
A patient governments has been delayed thirteen
years, aud now a few months further delay will
work no Injustice, rs the corporation endeavoring
not In an impoverished condition.
You will allow me to malse this public, as my
purpose Is TO aid tho public and prevent imposi.
ton BY the sale OF bonds secured by q forfeited
title, which may be declared worthless.
Yours respectfully, q. N. VAN WYOK.
HON. HEsRY NJ. TELLER, Secretary OF the In.
terior.