The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-05
LAND TENURE IN THE UNITED
STATES.
Startling Facts and Figures-How Land Is
Bebins Gobbled Up.
New York Herald. I


The land within the present borders
of the United States have been obtained
by wars with England and Mexico,
purchased from other nations and trea-
ties with the Indians, comprising in all
X 3,607, ,604 square miles, or 2,30S, 1866, $50
3 acres authorities differ on these
amounts.
In 1903 we bought of France for SILL
10000 what is now known as the
Louisiana purchase" lying west of
the Mississippi River, including Texas
and part of New Mexico, and extending
to the Rocky mountains, together with
Oregon, Washington Territory and the
western part of Montana and Idaho.
geSere the principal, interest and
claims of all kinds were paid, this in
vestment cost us ST., 100000.
We bought Florida of Spain for &c.
100000.
December %, 1915, We took in Texas,
she keeping her public lands and CIV
ing US her State debts and three years
war with Mexico, which cost US $685.
5000.
After conquering the territory en-
braeed in New Mexico, part of Colo
RADIO, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Cali
fornia, from Mexico, we paid her Sl5,-
100000 for the greater part of it and
$40, 100000 for the balance, known as
the 'Gadsden purchase"
In 1867 we bought of Russia 577,390
sqnare miles Office and snow, known
as Alaska, for s7,2O0,0OO. All the rest of
our lands we got when We cut loose
from Britain, but had to fight six years
TO get good title-first in the Revolu-
sionary War, costing US in reported
killed 7,343 and over $4,000 wounded
and s1s5, 1913, 100 in money. Afterward
the War of 1912, costing US in killed
and wounded ), 5,6l4 and in money Sl07,-
$4,000.
We have paid everybody but the In
dians-.the only real owners. But thanks
TO gunpowder, whiskey, red tape,
smallpox, cholera and other weapons
ofcivilization, there are not many of
them left to complain. However, Uncle
Sam has paid his Indian agents in be-
ealf of the Indians (?), from 1871 to
1851, thesum of Sl93,o72,6s7, to say
nothing of the lives lost and money
spentin Indian wars from King Philips
war down.
The above expenditures OF blood and
treasure have been made by the people
10 secure this heritage to themselves
and their children. Let Us see what
has been done with it.
In 17S5 the Continenta l Congress, in
an ordinance providing for the sale of
lands IN the Northwest Territory. re-
served for public schools section Is in
each hfe#nship. This act practically set
apart one-thirty-sixth ofall that terri
tory. This ordinance was drawn by a
committee of which Jefferson was
chairman. It recommended among
Z other things that all Of the Western
territory be formed into nine States, to
be named Chersonesus, Sylvania.
Assenisipia, Metropotamia, Polypo-
tarnia, Pellissipia, Saratoga, Wash
ington, Miehigania and Illinois.
1t is lucky thing we didn't
inherit that category. The ordinance
further provided that after the year
1890 slavery should be prohibited in all
these States. This clause was lost be-
5 fore the act was finally adopted.
This act was superseded by the ordi-
nance OF. 1857 which provided for the
organization of the Northwest Terri
tory and concluded with six unalter-
bie articles of perpetual compact. First
glgious freedom; second, trail byjury;
aird, writ OF habeas corpus; fourth, the
Dill of rights; fifth, encouragement
schools and for good faith, justice and
manity toward the indians, and
tn, in regard to the exclusion of
9ery.
1854 Congress provided for the
soflands in the Indiana Territory,
eomprised the present States Of
1nuiana, Illinois and Wis
(which act section l6 in each
Up was expressly reserved for
support of schools. Michigan's
ee was estimated at 1,l48, $50 acres.
acts of 1904 and 1924 Michigan also
eixed $1,000 acres to found univer-
When it is remembered that
re are forty eight colleges endowed
land grants and the common
sools of nearly all the States and Ter
0ries are likewise endowed, some es-
naate can be made Of the provisions
education.
In 1855 Congress passed an ordinance
recting the Secretary of War to draw
lot certain townships for bounties
@ Continental soldiers. Meanwhile
tiers began to locate on public lands
hout authority and soldiers were
busy from 1874 to l7S6 driving
m OFF and burning their cabins and
ees.
\ 17s7 the price Of land was reduced
sxty-six and two-thirds cents per
j, while Spaniards holding land in
lois offered farms free to actual
ers.
1896 the present system Of survey
lands was adopted; as recommended
efIerson and amended by Monroe.
1900 land offices were established
the price fixed at - per acre, one
down.
1870 an aot was passed to sell il
Cf