Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-01-10
VIRGINIA LAND BOOKS
Containing Matters Referring to the
Counties Now Within
WEST VIRGINIA BOUNDARIES
Asked for by Governor Flening-A Letter Ad-
dressed to Governor Mckinney Of Virginia
on the Subect-PermiSSiOn Asked
to Copy Other Books
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CHARLESTON, w. VA, January g.
Despite the severe illness by which
Governor Fleming has been confined to
his room for several weeks, he has man
aged to give considerable attention to
all the important affairs Of the Execu-
tive Department, and is now engaged IN
a commendable effort to procure from
the Commonwealth of Virginia certain
original books and papers pertaining to
titles to lands within this State, and the
privilege of obtaining copies OF many
others, with view to saving TO the
people of the State some OF the difficult
ties and expenses heretofore involved In
the examinations of land titles.
In the present state of affairs, scarce
ly any title can be traced back to the
Commonwealth or its condition be as
certained without sending an attorney
to Richmond to make examinations OF
records and documents deposited there.
In this State, many of the cheaper aud
wilder lands are rapidly increasing In
value and frequently changing hands,
and in many cases there are serious con-
flicts of titles. Large surveys are often
claimed under old patents, frequently
covered by junior grants.
To determine the questions OF for
feiture and other important questions
about these titles, recourse must be had
to some or all of the books and papers
which the Governor desires 10 obtain
from the Mother State. 1t is certainly
very important to procure from Vir-
ginia and have within our own State
where easy access to them may be had
by our own people, all the books and
papers necessary in the investigation OF
titles and real estate litigation.
Within year after the formation OF
the State of Kentucky out Of part OF
the Territory OF Virginia, the Virginia
Assembly November 11th., 1888,
passed an Act, under which were
turned over to the State Of Kentucky
all books and papers pertaining to the
titles to lands within that State, and
similar to the one which Governor
Fleming requests in behalf OF West
Virginia.
The following is communication
from Governor Fleming, forwarded
yesterday to the Governor OF Virginia.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
CHARLESTON, January Q, 1892.
His Ercellency Philip ". McKtnney
Governor of VirQipid:
SIR:-Referring to our conference in
November last, 1t was understood that L
would address to Your EXcellency
communication indicating such original
books and papers, now in possession OF
the Commonwealth Of Virginia and per-
tanning to lands within the State OF
West Virginia, as 1t is desired TO be de-
livered to the authorities OF this State;
and OF what books and papers this
State desires the privilege OF obtaining
copies.
| now hand to Your Excellency list
of such books and papers, viz.:'
l. All the original land books OF all
the counties now in West Virginia,
which were made since such counties
were formed.
2. The privilege Of copying the land
books of the counties from which the
West Virginia counties were taken,
where part of the original county still
remains in Virginia.
3. The original surveys returned to
the Virginia Land Office from all the
counties now in West Virginia, or If they
cannot be had, the privilege Of copying
such surveys.
4. The privilege of coping the grants
of lands now in West Virginia, and also
of coping the surveys on which such
grants issued, il the original surveys
cannot be had.
5. The returns Of Sheriffs' Of delin-
ouent lands, or the privilege OF copying
the same, and also the sales by Sheriffs
of delinquent lands, or the privilege OF
copying the same.
1t seems to me that have requested
the delivery to this State Of only such
of the books and papers as are wholly
useless to the Commonwealth OF Vir-
Vlnia; but which are of great value to
the landowners Of this State, and with
out which we have not within our own
State the means, IN many instances, OF
showing the condition OF land titles.
Many OF our lands are rapidly increas-
ing in value, thus making il very impor-
tant to have, within easy reach, all the
records relating TO them.
trust It will be the pleasure OF Your
Excellency to recommend to the Legis-
lature now in session the passage OF an
Act to authorize the delivery to some
agent Of this State whom shall appoint
to receive the same, OF such books and
papers as ! have indicated; and further,
to accord to this State the privilege OF
copying such books and papers as this
State desires, and which cannot proper
ly by,surrendered by the Commonwealth
OF Virginia. Very respectfully,
A. b. FLEMING.