The New York Herald Newspaper, January 6, 1856, Page 2

THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. Annual Report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office- Guvmmat Laxy Nov. 30, 1855. ‘Sm—I have the honor to submit the following report of Cr cpustionn ot thie oilice for the toca years June 20. , and for the quarter enc! " 3455. From bar 3, 1864, tothe bof Septem: 21,067.36 '3,188.79| 121,007. | 224,246.15) 3,188.7: 9,977/274.61 . s9.97/ 4,211, 214.68) 283,009.97! 3 520°622.05 (02,837.76) 72. ‘ 24,801.64, "841,626.91 >y' 131.60) 19,106.: 025. pepe ag sl 286.75, | 5,907,456.70, 297,306.67! 5,070,450.03 '958'051.40, 55,040.50| | 903,011.40 41,814.79} 2,560.00) 39,254.79 |[5,a46, 288.48) 119, 721.02 14,695,602.16 ‘The authority to extend the public surveys into the Ter- ritorles of W , Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Utah was ‘hy the legislation of July, 1854 and February, 1865. The surveying machinery was Biemplly transferred to these Territories, and is now in operation, and already important surveys, requiring high professional skill, have ceen made therein, also in the Slate of California and Territory of Oregon, embrac- ug the establishment of initial points, extensions of prin- eapal meridians. bese lines, and township exteriors. During the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1855, Acres. there were sold for cash... ease oL0)720, 524.88 Located with military warrants. «e+ 1,346, 580,00 Making atotalof......... eee eeeneseseers 17,075, 104.88 Ym addition there’ were swamp land grants............ mt improvements, railroads, &e. Making an aggregate of..... 24,557,409.50 For the quarter ending S0th ‘September, 1852, there were:— Sold for cash (part estimated) ............. 2,928,337.38 Meeated with mil. bounty land warrants... 851,140.00 Making 0 totalof............. + 28,336,886.85 Reported under swamp land grant. 21,553,192.39 Making an aggregnte of 0.0... s+... +-20)890,079.24 ‘This shows an incroaso in sales for cach during the last fiseal year over the preceding of 8,695.789.81 acres, while ihe aggregate disposed of exceeded that of the pre- eeding year only 1,519,006.45 acres, owing mainly to the fact tbat the locations with military warrants and other eertificates, and the selections under the swamp land ia- terval improvewents, railroad and other graats were 7,874,693 36 acces less than during the preceding fiscal fer the fiscal year ending June 50, 1855, the receipts frem the sales of ine public lands amounted to $11,485, 384 75, and for the quarter ending September 30, 1855, 325,788.31, as reported and estimated. ihe following tabie extibits the quantity of land sold at veguiar and graduated prices, located for military boun ties, and selected under swamp grant for the fiscal year enéing June 30, 1855, and for the quarter ending 30th September, 1855:— Sanaa AND Orme Disposats or Prsuic Lanps. No. of Acres Suid for Cash No. of Acres at and above Amount Sold at the Minimum — Received Graduated Price, $1.25. therefor. Prives. Daring the tis- eaiyearend- ¢ 40, “s sr, 7,009,050.54 $9,126,46617 6,720,474.54 Daring ‘the ethird quar- ter ating Sept. 3 166. 1,540,461.04 10, 260,956.48 Np. of Acres Reported un ‘Military der Swamp Warrants. Land Grant. cal year end- oe 30, Fa We cere e $2,958,918 58 1,945,680 00 7,470,748.62 Daring the third quar- ter ending Sept. 3 BD ......) 498,290 06 661,140.00 3 G4 © 2,100,720.00 9,023,059.01 No. of Acres Teal Amount Tital No. of Granted for — Received for Acres Sotd for Internal im = Land Sold Cash, and provements, for Cashat otherwise Dis- Railroads, de. “all Prices. Daring the fis- eal year end- Jane 30, : 2 11,588.00 $11,485,984 75. 24,557,402.50 None. 2,325,783 21 6,332,660.74 11,568 00 $19,811,105 06 29,800,079.24 *Part estimated. : ‘This office has no means of knowing, except to a limi- ted extent, what lands are purchased for speculation, and what with a view to setilement and cultivation; but so fer as the purposes are known, aud so far as au opinion can be formed from the sive and nnwber of the tracts of each purchase, the proportion of the puolic Yands taken by individuals for actual rettiement aad cul- tivation, as compared wi ales and locations, is much Jarger during the last than the preceding year. This fact, which is ratifying to the advocates of a policy favoring settlement snd cultiva jounted for im part by the reduction of the price under the opera. tion of the graduation Jaw, but mainly the unosual de mands of agriculture, and toe large investments which have been made in that branci of industry daring the past year. ‘The following table exhibita the condition of the Dounty Jané buriners under the acts of 1847, 1850, 1852, and 1855, on the 20th of September, 1855 — ‘Act ov 1847. Acres Acces No. Acree Grade of Number embraced Num'r embraced out- embraced Warrant. isned thereby. located. thereby, sian'g. there. MeO acres... 09 12,753,440 72,790 11,644,640 6,990 1,108,809 oo”. 297.560 “5795 "231,840 11638 * 65,520 Foal... 430 §,588 1,174.30 ‘ACT OF 1850. soe BT 221 4,385,960 24,873 9,979 680 2348 375,680 TUist'se4 4,602,720 48,277 150 9297 740.530 ib 83545 800 20 004 03,700 639 4,145,560 U3 54,890 Sst ana 6 7 318,500 2670 163,400 211,840 4,176 668,160 560 Ua Loe em + 29,000 5,450,000 SUMMARY. 78,575 11,576,480 | 3.568 1,174,320 i 3,640 S169 1, S00, Jes2. 11762 |" 682,000 + 7855. 29,0:0 8,450,000 Total..... 316,209 30,316,440 250,127 2 From the foregoing it appears that tuese warrants embrace 20,316,440 acres, that 24,207,200 acres have ‘Deen located, and 6 019,240 acres are yet outstanding. — The following tabies exhibit the condition of the busi- ness under the grante of the swamp and overflowed lands to the reveral States, by virtue of the acts, March %, 1949, and Sept. 28, 1860:— No.1, Exhibiting the quantity of land selected as enuring to the several’states, unvier the provisions of said act:— “Bd Gr. 1854. 4th Qr., '64. Let Gr... 155. 2d Qr., 55 24,577.94 = 761,407.63 134830 34 24,801.72 fisson — 364,486.19 — — ‘Alaborma .| 98,360.00 — 12,813.13 41,096.44 Mireisetppi. 619,715.80 — 280,000.00 _ ps 760 45 000.00 72,054.39 6,947.60 69,1211 Michigan... 320,000.00 - — ~~ Arkanras 283,886.77 = = 600.00 Florida... ~_ = 8,184,786.27 ps ‘Totals. 1,400,062 67 1,198,607.81 4, 242,004.28 126,158.90 Fear ending Total since 256.85 2,700.52 ~ 02,808.57 1,099/615.80 67,242.62 172,123.13 320,000.00 ‘ — 28+ 486.77 2,769,813.15 8,784,786°27 ss eeee 2,820,013.14 7,054,092.96 47,849,799.45 No. 2 Babibite the quantity ot swarap and overflowed and approved unde the provisions ot #vid ac if spe juarter 4th Quarter lal Quarter Ul Quarter Staten, 4 1866. 1H55. IMiinois.......+ — 269,775.55 23,159.94 468,977.09 Missouri... - = = 1,108 504.89" = 447,829.19 - - 133,517.10 23,211.67 - 371 962.36 ~~ . — — 778,028 48 1,614,130.22 -160,000.00 1,479,069.72 = = 961,000.51 2,330,181 56 2,909,906.64 1,973,107.91 ct Tal unter 3a Quarter Your ending 1866. June B®, 1865, grants ‘rom earliest date, S86 2 756 912.08 108,604.39 iS =e 8. bags a9. 104,751.84 & Neseseesss § EEE Cis 440.56 T0819 9 Spoo | fF = & Missiaatp pt. @PI e-dayia oo, which wee rejected Nov. 22, Now 36 tity of swamp and overflowed lands ered to. the following States. under the provisions Of the second of the act of Congress. Approved Sepveu der 28, 2000. Quarter. Ist Quarter. 22 Quarter 1854. 1865. 1856. 929,198.16 56,856.43 a 119,528.24 = a 068.81 . 970,036.87 210,942.79 ps - 226,345.18 Total.....1874,795.19 426,893.90 437,287.97 ‘Total wae 3d Quarter. Year ending rant — from 1855. JuneB0, 1855. earliest’ date. = a 25,640.71 = ee 929,912.37 86,319.39 _ 86,319.39 = 986,054.57 1,695,928.03 = 119,528.24 2,013,080.98 3,483.92 907,048.47 1,367,602.82 143}347.29 — 143,347.29 pe 226,345.18 226,345.18 233,160.00 9288, 970.40 6,488, 176.77 Itshould be here observed that the act of 24 March, 1849, granting swamp and overflowed lands to Louisiat does not require the iasue of patents, while the law of 1850, mating it the general grant, dces require them. In'numerous it has been alleged that the se- lections under the swamp lend grant, by the agents of the States, were fraudulent, embracing dry land fit for cultivation. Where an applicant to purchase a tract of this description files an affidavit, showing the land to he of such a character as to exclude it from the grant, the practice of the office has been to direct that notice be given the authority representing the State, and to the contestant, and if after proper hearing, it is ascertained that the lend is uot within the grant, the affidavit of the contestant ia treated as an application, and he is allo ved to enter it, provided the State selection has not been af- firmed and reported to the local land office; but if it has been affirmed and reported, the land must be re-intro- dced to market, after thirty days’ notice as preliminary toits sale. The set of 2d March, 1855, authorizing the issuing of patents upon sales and locations of swamp lands under hmitations and with indumnily to the States on certain conditions, has relieved purchasers and this office by al- lowing the issue of a large number of patents that had been held in suspense. The relections ot land for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, in Missouri. under the act of 10th June, 1852, have been completed and the lista approved; the quan- tity, however, fulls short about 182,000 acres of that which would have accrued under the grant, had th been sufficient nt lands for selection within the pi scribed limits. The sections reserved to the United States within the six mile lim‘t have been offerei at pub- lic cale, to be sold at the double minimum, and the lands heretofore withdrawn from market outside of the six mile limits have been restored to private entry. A deficit of 1,€00 36-100 facres, to cover small discre- ancies, remains yet to be selected for the Ilinois Central Raiircad ard braaches, for which the necessary instruc tions have been given, and that quantity will close the adjustment of the grant. ‘The map of final location of the Cairo and Fulton Rail roed and branehes, in the States of Missouri and Arkan- sas, have been received, and the grant mace for them by the act of February 9, 1858, is im process of adjustment, the States inte*ested having appointed the proper agents fo- that purpore. Without waiting for the final adjast- ment of the grant, it is oontemplated at an early day to advertise for sule, at the double minimum price, the lands reserved to the United States within the six mile limits, and to restore the lands outside of those limits. Under the act ot August 4, 1852, entitled “an act to grent the right of way to ail Tailroads, plank roads, and macadaroized turnpikes g through the public und belonging to the United Stater,”” the Iron Mountain Rail- road Company of Michigan, and the Milwaukie and Mississippi Railroad Company of Wisconsin, have filed the required maps of the location of their respective reade, and claimed the benefits of the act; and the lines of the roads have been laid down on the official plats of survey, se as to protect the rights thus acquired, and the travis ¢mbracing the location will be sold subjest to thore rights, ; No formms) applications have yet been ma > to this office for the benefit of the provisions of the act of February 17, 1865. granting the nght of way two hundred fect in width through the public lands for s line of telegraph frem the Missouri or Mississippi river to Franciseo, vor of the act of March 3, 1855, making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department, which allows Se: righis to each contractor ‘engaged, or to be epgagedgin carry rails through any of the Territories of the United States west of the Misiissippt river. Shoald any applications be wade under the la ter law, they will be treated on their icdividual merits, taken in convection with the Various questious which will eciso under the Indian treaties and the general land Jaws applicable to the case, ag intimated in the recent order cf tue Departmen’. By the act of August 3, 1854, the Governor of the State of illinois was authorized to select the residue of the land to which that State was entitled, under the set of March 2, 1827, te aid m opening a canal to connect the waters of the Illinois river with Lake Michigan, the quantity to be ascertained om the priuciples which governed the fival adjustment of the grant. to Iodiana, for the Wabesh and Erie Canal, under acc of May 9, 1848. On- this basis were founa due to the State of Hliroie On August 15, mitted and approved, for 27,709 60 Mitebeltig ss. C8525 Nesi'sss0enck tue sess tool OMOORD selected but net approved, on account of contlicts. ‘The grant of land mare to the State of Wisconsin by the act of Angust 8, 184¢—amended by the act of August 13, 1654, with the «xplanatory resolution of March 4, 1855, a8 construed by the Department of the Interior, gives to that State 684,269 acres, of which there has been sglected and spproved 208,008, leevirg to be selacted 475.936. To fecilitate the remaining selectiors, under the grant, a special certificate was issued on April 26, 1856, excluding frcm lceation 60,832 seres of the alternate sec'ions reser ved to the United Siates for the reason that they had not been ¢flered.. The cifficuliies which have arisen under the operation of Graduation act of 4th August, 1854, are very numer- ovs. Notwithstanding the instructions issued by teis office fur the direction of the local officer in mak ug sales of lands under this act, many entries have been per- mitted in disregard of those instructions, and in confi with the riglits of others, in the aajustment of which a large amount of correspondence hax ensued. ‘The contested cases are principally of the following clastes:— 1, Where the Innd entered was under s¢ttlement at the date of the law by a party who claims a superior right by virtue of such settlement. 2. Where the entry was made for the use of an adjoin- ing farm, and the land entered does not, with the farsa, form a compact body. 3. Where the entry was made for the use of an adjoin- ing farm, and it is alleged the party owned no such farm, and the eutry was made in fraud. 4. Where the entry was male for the ure of an aijoin- ing farin, but in which the tract is wild, unoccapied lend, ‘and not in fact @ farm within the contemplation of the law. 5. Where the entry was made for actual settlement aud cul.ivation, and it is alleged the party sold the land soon after it was entered at an advanced price, and before any rettlement had been mae thereon. 6. Where the entry bye minor. Al! such contested cases tried before the proper local land «fMficers, after due notice to all interested. Those officers have received ample instructions for their adjudication, and the testimony, wi'h their joint report, is teynired in each case to be submitted to this office fur revision All epproved pre-emption entcies under the se29n4 sec tion of the act will be patented. All certiScates of purchase for en‘ries for the use of adjoining farms under the third section, where the en- tries are regular and uncontested, will be patented. All certificates of purchase for entries for actual settle- ment and cultivation, under the third section, where sat- isfactory evidence exists that the settlement and cultiva- tion have been made, and the entries are in other reapects regular, will be patented. A’l certificates of purchase ‘or entries for actual settle. ment and cultivation, where there ism) evidencs before the office that the settlement has been made, are with- held fiom patenting, and treated as ia suspense until further orders. Minors who are heads of families, and others entitled to the benefit of the pre-emption act, of 4th September, 1841, are also Py geo ag entitled to the benefit of the provisions of this act. It has been proposed to mocify the circular of lst May, 1855, by extending the time from two to twelve months, within which the seitlement is required to be made after the land has been entered. We must cither ciscard the requirement of evideace of sestiement, and carry urcontested entries of thia clast wfixa period within which the settlemeat under the entry, and prescribe measures for the production of testimony on this potnt, #> that hereatter we may perfect the title or cancel the entry. Should it De decided that the Department has the legal ability to preseribe the rule and measures suggested, cases of this class will be placed in train of setuement; but if otherwise, the interposition of Congress will be required, By the act of Congress of May 20, 1830, al! military warrants inued by the United States for rerolutionary service, purruant to the act of September 16, 1776, and subsequent acts, which are merely extensiona of this act, are now satisfied by the issue of land scrip thereoa—such issue being in favor of the warrantees, their heirs at Jaw, or devisecs, the rights of assignees not being regarded. ‘The amount of sc-ip issued by this office, purauent to the above act, from September 0, 1854, to September 30, 1865, both dates inclarive, is 626', acres. Virginia mili- tary warrante are now satisfied, pursuant to the act of Avgust 31, 1862, by the fasue of scrip theraon, in favor of the ‘present propriet warrantees, their heirs at Inq, devisoos or assignees, as the cave may be. This appropriation is general, applying ‘to sil warrants or parte of warrants which have been is- ued oF allowed by Virginia,which are outstanding or un- satisfied. [The following acts have been passed by Congroas, mak Appropriations for the satisfaction ol Virginia. inilicary warrants, viz. — Acra. May 20, 1830, appropriating ses. 310,000 July 13; 1642, « 300,000 March 2) 1893, « ’ 200000 March 3, 1836, ; 160,000 Total approprialion........++s«.+++ <++41,460,000 —which amount has been absorbed hy tie warrante filed pursuant to the above act. During the year ending September 90, 1855, the qnan- tity of 4,600 werer was patented upon Virginia mii'ary warrants, for services in the Continental line, which were located in the military district of Ohio, betwaen the “Little Miami and Sciota river, northwest of the rivar Ohio.” The act of August 31, 1862, pursuant to which Virginia military warrants are now satisfied by the ineue of so-ip, is Indefinite in is appropriation, providing for ail rants or part of warrants now outetanding. sores, orannt of rerip thus far issued in pursuance of thie uring the year ciate, 10 Heptember 90,1865, te 54a 70) ‘19 781 meres was iatued NEW YORK HBRALD, SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1856, Under this act of August 31, 1852, all cases filed for serip have been promptly allowed as far as cog be done ip justice to the United States, ana wich strict regard to the Jaws of Virginia, granting land bounties to her officers a soldiers. an government ia assuming th» respon ity of Virgin'a, m sa n 3, has placed iteelf im the position of thet. Wgie, and le istertinior the itabl itien, the laws of Vi ‘must of course govern. streas has deen laid on the suppored tact. that an apne or a decision of the execative of Virginia in rela- ion to her lands, is to be taken ws obligatory and con- clusive upon the action of the De partment. But what are we lo where we find an executive at one ; e-iod rigid in his requirements and clear in his in- terpretation of the laws, disallowwg numerous claims, e afterwards another ‘allowing ‘without additiowal ptoof, and Fe been previously rej in the face of the auverse decision’of his predec: ee ac pe ae of ac- exp! t st ee en ee Interior, he chall, as Cane Oh) to the issue of seri be satisfied ‘by a revision of the -peoofs or by adiilional testimony, that any warrant thus su was fdr. ly and jus’ ay issned in pursuance of the law of sait com- monwealth for military services so rendered.” The ac. tion on has been controlled in its pro- ceations te business by the mandate of the law, which must yn whilst it remains upon the statute book. In the Virginia military Cistrict there is a” residvim of some 60,000 acres, supposed to be worth from 1t cents to 10 Per acre, and principally in the soutbern part cf the district. T repeat’ the reocmmendaticn that a donation be made of there lands to the state of Ohio for school par- pores uncer a restriction of the privilege of purchase to thore havirg curren immediacely adjacent. War warrants of 1812 are now ivsued pursi to the act of 8th February, 1854, which authorizes the location of them within five years from 26th June, 1353, whoa the period for location will terminate. | It is suggested that an act be without restric- bein to time within which sueh warrants mty be lo- cated. Reference is made to the reports of the diff-rent Sur- veyors General herewith, for the Brogress of the public surveys within their several distric:, and only a synop- is thereof is bere given. In Michigan, surveys of an original character are neat ly completed, operations in that State being mainly re- stricted to the correction of errors in ancient gurveys, and the office work is progressing with @ view to the sur- nder of the surveying arcnives to the authorities of the ce, pursuant to the provisions of the act of 12th June, In Arkansas, the original surveys have been completed, but some serious defects in the o1d surveys, yet fully to be reported, remain to be corrected. In the surveying dis:ricts of Illinois and Missouri, field operations are confined to the revision, correction and renewal ot surveys. Tae connection of the public sar- veya with the boundary line between the States of Mis- souri and Iowa, as e-tablished by decree of the Supreme Court, have been completed. limited to corrections, private Jn Louisiona field and to the location ims. In the surveying cepar'ment of Iowa, Wirconsin and Minnesota, field work bas been pushea torward with great euceesr, In | Florida, im addition to certain corrective work, the s"ryeys are progressing in the vicinity of Lake Kis- simmee, and O-kve-che-bee, by an extension ofthe lines of former surveys to the limits of the Indian country, and which wiil result in opening up to the settiers a new region of country of an interesting character. Tae sur- # in this State aro drawing to a close. the fifth section of the Indian Appropriation act of Mach 3, 1855, provision is made for the surveys ia the Territory of Kansas, required by the Indian treaties of 1854, and for the classification and appraisement of such of the ceded Jands as under the provisions of said treaties are to be sold for the benefit of the Indians. The manage - ment of the surveys, classification and valuation of these trust lencs having been placed under the control and direcifon of this office, proper instructions were given the Surveyor General in relation thereto, requiring him to press forward the surveys, and to cause the requisite classification and yaludtion tables to accompany the township plats in triphcation. By the report of the Sutveyor General of Sept. 4, this ofice is advised that the trust lands amount to nearly sixty Lomzships ané that the surveys thereof will pe completed as follows :— Towaya.. November 1, 1855 Wens and tribes eorfederate, January 15, 1856 Should it be determined to canse there }ands to be sold, after the usual no‘ice of the sales of public lands, the sales might take place ns follows :— ; March 1, 1856 Toways,. . a Delawares. April 1) 1856 Weas and tribes oonfecerate Jane 1, 1856 The periad tor the asle of these lands may be either shortencd ar extenicd, as circumstances hereafter may sugecs!, under the discretion given by the law to the President. From the base ine on the fortieth parallel which torms the boundary line between tue Territories of Nebraska and Kansas, at « geht €0 miles west of the Missouri river, a guide merijian has been ordered to be’ extended north in Nebraska, to the head of the Nebraska river, and south in Kantas. to the distance of 120 miles, aa from such guide meridisn, correction. para lels, at pre- scribed intervals, are requiced to be extended castwar¢ to the eastern boundaries of said Tercitories. The es tatiichwent of there governing lines will admit of effect ing tke subdivisions] smyey# im such manner us to wc commodate he set‘lers by engaging the surveying force in thore particu'ar Iccslilies in which settlements have betn formed, where the necessity for surveys is more urgent than in other localities, and this without marring the system when ultircately ecmpleted. From on irelsted hin, with analtt ude of 210 feet, situ a ed in the valley of the Rio Grande, on tue west bank of that river, nearly opporite the town of Juquita, the Sur -ey- or Gexeral cf New Mexico, on the If th of April last, com- menced to establish his prineigal mesidian and base line, whieh he reports to be inJatitude 20 deg 19 min., and fom it the mericion has been ¢xtended 96 miles north ard 60 nilessouth, This work was accomplished uncer serious a) prebentions from the hostility of the Indians, aud uoder tbe rctection of an armed force, at the expense of the leputy. From this meridian a correction Itne is being ex*ended near Furt Staunton, on the :iver Boaita. ‘The office of the Surveyor General of New Mexico is at Sants Fe. From the reports of the Surveyor General of Oregon Territory. it appears that the fourth standard parallel has been extended west to the Pacific coast, which it in- tersects at a point # short distance north of the Umpqua- tires, near the forty-fourth parallel of latitude, and will prove a good base of connection for the further cpera- ticns iu the velley of that river. Steps have slo been taken for alike ex'ension of the firet end second parallels, but were subsequently post- poucd. It is, reported that 1.400 donation claims have in surveyed rince the 21st cf November, 1834, leaving 810 claims under contract, and that the whole pumber of claims, up to dete, surveyed and unsurveyed, fumounts to 3,560, Surveying operations have been hitherto restricted to the dountry lyirg between the Pacific coast and the Cas. cade range. ‘Their extension is recommended by the Sur- veyor General, from # new meridian, to the country lying east of that range, part of which i reported as inviting to settlers. Sorveying operations io Washington Territory, wes! of the Cascade mountains, were instituted some years ago, defore its orgaxization into @ separate Terri*ory, under the direction of the Surveyor General of Oregon. After the records of these surveys were duly prepared and trapaferred fom the 0) ‘to the Wasb! office, the Surveyor General of W: instituted survays of da. hireble portions of the country in the immediate vicinity of Fort Vanccaver, Puget’s Sound, and Bellinghen Bay, and instructions have been given’ for the survey of Whilley’s Ieland, lying between said bay and Admira.ty Inlet. The extension of the necessary correc'ion para from the Williamette meridian north of the Columbi+ Hiver, west of the coast, has been, contracted fo secord and fourth completed, but insurmou stacles to the extension of tbe fifch parallel to Puget’s Sound, compglied the surveyor to abgndon his contract. Portions ofthe -third, ith and sixth correc- tion paraliels, east of the merician, have also been re- turned as completed, together with ‘twenty-four miles of the gv ide meridian, enst of Poget’s Sound The Surveyor General, in his annual report, representa the country on the northern bank of the Colum ‘a river end ‘the rhores of Puget’s Scund as of good soil, with endrmous growth of vegetation. “ Firs, many of them fifteen feet in diameter, ani 200 feet ia leagth, prostrate, encumber the ground; trom am‘dst the rains ofan ancient forest srises another of the same characte:, apparently many hundred years old, growing among the rearcely decayed trunks of the first.”? “Feras, freqiteutly of fifteen feet elevation.” He recommends the survey. (the item betcg provided for in the existing appropriatisa:,) of the township Lines east. of Puget’s Sound, Bellfog iam Hay, aud Guif of Gurgin, tojthe§ British Tine'in 49°". ot noith latitude, and the sub-division of some townships east of the Sound on the Dwamish and Suo-quaimle river, represented as embraciog rich lauds, partly rairie. The Surveyor Gereral adverts to difficulties and putes between tke citizens and British subjects, con cerning the ownership of certain islands between the Straits of Fuca and Guif of Curgia, for want of a proper adjustment of a territrrial line, but there can ho no ques'ion that the group b«longs to the Uniied States, con sisting of Oreas, Waldran, San Juan, Skaus, Lopez, Blakely, Decatur, Henry, and some other’ eighteen islinda and inlete, afl lying’east of the Straits of Haro, the great chennel which separates them from Vancouver's Island. Still it in desirable that tho line should bo defintely fixed and determined nnder the treaty, by cowpetent au thorities. The Surveyor General has been inatructed to rexpect the “ posnessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Cora pry. under the thied article of the treaty betwosn the nived States and Grest Britain of June 15, 1840, and close the lines of thepublic urveys thereon up to thelr ac- tual enclonures, as they existed at the dato of the treaty. Under the fourth article of said treaty, it is declared that the ‘farms, lands and other property of every de- scription, belonging to Puget’s Sound Agricultural Com pany, onthe north side of the Columbia river, sball be confirmed to said compavy. In case, however, the situa. tion of these farms ani lands rhould be considered by the Unter States to te of publie and poiitical importance, and the United Ststes government should signify a desi to attam weasion of the whole o: an; sen thereot, ha ‘so required shall be tranciorted to the sn fbi) at a hh al valaation, to be agreed upon between the Mr. William Frazer Tole, styling himself a for the said company, addressed a communication, Inat, from For ically, in Washington TerritoM to the Surveyor G , in re to that claim, xocompa- pied by ai me, purporting to show the copy of the plot has been furnished the Surveyor General to this office. As respacta ke authority of mid plot, as showing the genuine claim of | maid | company, as recngnized by the treaty, and the authorily of Mr. Tolornie as the agent of such company, this office possesses no sati«factory in- formation. Under all the circumstances, however, the action taken has been to direct the extension of the townehip line through said claim, in order to maintain dne connestion in ublic surveys; and, more over, to @irect the Surveyor Gensrai to stop short the atja- cent subdivicional surveys at the Jegal corner bouni- artes, whatever may be their deromination, nearest to tho alleged outlines of the claim, a# indicated by the plot eg i ‘The plot 1s an imperfect one; on eetimating the size of the alain frown the seale, it presvate the average length may be set down at eighteen miles, and the average vreadth at fourteen miles, wi:h on e-timated area of one bur dred ana sixty-one thousand acres. The third section of the act of 34 March, 1853, regu. lating the su veys of toe pubic lanis in California, pro- vides “thet none other than township lines hall be sur- veyed when the lands are migeral or are deemed untit for cultivation.” The attention of the office was called early last «pring to the importance and necessity of bringing into market all the Ca'ifornia lands which hed bees r= sap tate sec ions, of which large returns had been re- ctived, and which would smount in the aggregae to 6,328,709 acres; but upon examination it was found that seat we Janda so raaveyed, whadeayrieh 2 districts which, by common report, inc goli placer. The Surveycr Gever:] was’ at once ‘called on sh copors whether, in mabing the sub-division of these Jands into sections, the restriction in the law above quoted had been observed. In his reply of the 15th May last, he reports that the surveying contract and instructions urually ecotained clauses prohibiting the sub-division into rections of lands of this cbaracter—but giving no de- finite and eer ce vpon the main subjest of in- quiry. In considerfti ‘the above, and ofthe fact that some of the sub-divicend lands are situated only six miles south of New Heivetia, on the American river, where it inpuid the first diccovery ofgold was made, and another large body of the section is fntersected by the Kern river. rich in gold, aceorcing to t report, and other bodiva are situated in minerat localities, it is~ deemed able to teke no steps for offering the lands for sale, without urther examination or direction of Cor, ia order that the original iatention of the restriction may no} be de‘eated, ani that ifany error has been committed bj surveying mineral lands, an opportunity may be aifurd ‘o apply the pepe remedy. Tre Mount Diable merician in California has been ex- tended north for!y miles, and a party is in the field to continue the survey to the northern boundary of the state. wit w toswyey and sectionize, in'connsc- tion iberewith such valleys in that part of the State as are desirable for settlement and cultivation, The base line bas been run east entirely across the Sierra Nevaia, to a point the last boundary of the State, and of the mountains township have been run therefrom, noutbeas! about one hundred miles. ‘The second standard north has been sw denst to the opposite side of the mountains, terminating at the lower end ¢f Carson's Valley, and near the eastern boundary of the State. ‘This valley is reported as very extensive and produc- tive, the larger portion being situated in Utah Yerritory. Since the standard lines have been surveyed, together with the extericrs of 2 large number of townships on the seacoast, sonth of East Monterey, in the valleys of the sacramento and Joaquim. or near the Tulare Like, and on the east side of the Sievra Nevada, between the sixth and seventh standard , andguch lands as are desirable “for cultivation] have been ‘tbaivided into sections. The surface of the extreme northwest angle of the State intersected by the Humboldt mer‘dian, is repre- sented to be rugged and heavily timbered, in consejneace of which surveying cortracts for only » small amount ara taken, whilst fa the southern part of’ the Ststef survey- ing cperations have been very active in connection with 1n Herpardino meriéian and base lines. The meri Gian bas been extended 120 sniles orth, the ba-e line eastward. in Jine, and by offsets 86 miles over ile derert, the third stendard parallel to the banks of the Colo- do river ; the ex’erior lines of a large number of town ships on the Colorado, between the last mentioned s'in- and the south boundary of the State have been rua, abo the exteriors of several townships, together with some sub divisions north of the base line, and south snd scutheast of the ‘Tejon Pass,” situated in towmship 11, uorth of range 16 and 17 west, the great turaing point of the Sierra Nevada for several of the projected Pacific rail- road routes. There surveys eomplete the connec'ions, by actual measurement, from the head of the Sacramento Valley to the mouth of the Gila river and the southe:n boundary of the State, and of the Sierra Nevala range with the sea- at several points, as will be seen by reference to the map of the whole State, which accompanies the Surveyor General’s report of this year. ‘About thirty years ago General Coffee, in executing sur veys in Alaboma, adjusted a line as. boundary between that State and Ficrida, and subsequently the surveys in the Jattex were closed upon it, By an act of Congress iu 1831, it was made the duty of the United States Surveyor General of Florida and Ala- bama to run the line on the thirty-first parallel of lati- tude. ‘The Hue known as “ Whittner’s,’’ or “ Elticott’s,”” is now held to be the true boundary between these States. On the 3d May, 1864, 2 contract was made, pursuant to instructions ircm the office of the Surveyor General ot Florida, with a United States Deputy Surveyor, for the survey and ec nstruetion of the lines on the Flotida side, ard complete returns of thore surveys were received at this office during the Jast summer, showing that on2 hundred and fifty sections of public land, which, accord- ing toCoffee’s line, fell within the liants of Florida, are now within the Stute of Alabama, and they will be dis- pored cf accordingly. On the 20th of June, 1858, a joint resolution of Congress was passed, directing that the ecnneetion of the public surveys in Alabama jwith the boundary between (Mat State and Florida sfiould be made under the dizection of the Commissioner of tha General Land Office. Tn July, 1854, a United States ity Sur- veyor spplied for a contract wader thie rerolu,ion, but the late Commissioner deculed to Rostpone acti under that recolution until the return of the Florida’ connec- tions, 0 as to determine what new field operations, if apy, were neeersary. ‘tie return of the Florida surveys renders; as had been anticipated, any field operations on the ‘Alabama tide of the line are unnecessary, as from these returns it is practicable to protract the necessary plo‘s, by which sales may be made of the lands falling on the north side of the bundary in question. Instructions have been given for the survey of islands in the Miesirsippi, upon t! ene ‘thet where special application is made by individuals for the survey of islands incensiderable in extent, but valuable} to aij1- cent property holders, such survey rust be maze at the cost ot the applicants, who are to take the ri-k pf obtain- ing them by purchase, after they are subject to free competition. ! In a wemorfal received at this office in Augast. 1854, froin 81 “‘residen’s and citizent’’ of the north shore of vhe Lake Superior country, in Minnesova, the attention «f ‘bis office was dravn to the great anxiety manifested by fettiers to have eurveyed the tract of country esded by the Chippewas to the Umied States, by the treaty o! Sept. 20, 18€4, as ratified Jan. 29, 1855. he Department, on the 12th January last, submitted an estimate cf $40,000 for this specific work, but the ap- propriation fatied. On the 22d of August last this office called the attention of the Surveyor General of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesote to the sudject, that the matter might be appropriately eet forty and commented upon in his report, with a view again to ask of Congress timely and necestary appropriation. Atten- pon ts Teqrested to the report of the Surveyor General on the subject. During ts year ending 30th September, 1855, the al- tervate sectious reserved to the United States on the routes of the southwest Pacific, the Hannibal and St. Jeseph railroad, and a residuary portion of thé alternate sections, on the Mobile and Obio railroad, in the States of Alatatra and Bississippi, were proclaimed and offered for sale, at the miaimum fixed by law for their sale, and the lands within the Itmits of the grants to said roads, but outeide the six mile limite were restore] to private entry. Tapelamgation was made for§sales of about five and a juarter millions of acres in the Territory of Minnesota, dareg the months of October and November, but thi jamation were subsequently so ount to be offered to 1,178,003 acres. bi ed were selected with great care, being in desirable locelities, on and near the Mis- aissippi and St. Croix rivers, as follows:— orcer of rale aud the For sale at Brownsville se Winona Wed S08) Fe Mi he 1,178,003 There lands coroprixe the total quantity advertiset du; ing the year, except the railroad lands, bsing a much Jess quantity than the average offered anoually for seve- yal years pat. Yhe extracréinary activity and despa with whik the surveys have been pressed forward under the liberal appropriations provided by Congres: a! its last session, # accumulated an extensive body of land, chiefly situ: ated in fowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, yet to be brought into market as the demands of emigration and settlement may require, Under the ation of the several acts of Congress of 12:h June, 1840, 4th September, 1841, and 3d March, 1853, requiring those land offices to be closed, and the busie.s transferred to the offices located at tie respestive «ate of gc verpment of the States whenever the lands shall amount to less than 100,000 acres, the following offices been closed during the calendar year, and the ne- cessary measures for transfer have been taken, to wi 6 Mlinois—Chicago, Dixon, @uincy, Palos'ine, Edwards. ville, Shawneetown and Kaskaskias, to Springfield. Obi0o—Defiance, to Chilicothe..,. Indiana—Jeffersonville, Vincenne: Indianapol: 45 Wisconsin—) "¥ lowaa—Fairfield, to Chariton... Michigan— Kalamazoo, to Ionia... ‘the office y }, Missouri, been meved to War- saw; and the office at Danville, illinois, was dlosed tem- porarily for examination, bat by fnstructions given on tke 10th September last, the land officers have been re- quired to re-open the salet after giving thirty days pab- notice. The following new land offices, established by laws of the last session, have been opened by the appointment of land officerr, and are now in operation, to wit: — New office. California—Uppes district, office at Marysville iddie «+ Benicia ee Lower Los Angelos Wisconsin—Fondalae = Superior ........ 1 qua « Winchester. t Florida—Tampa igh Tampa... 1 Towa Taree a peeled Dacorrah Fort Dodge Fort ven Sioux river“ «& Sioux City } The land officers have been appointed for the Pawnee and Omah districts respectively, in Kansas and Nebras- ka, and the proper steps have been taken for organizing and 0 igs offices. in the administration of the pre-emption laws, cases frequently occur, where, by reason of failure on the part of the claimant, to comply strictly with the le ter of the law, or omission or neglect on the part of the district offices in requiring the roquilaite testimony at the yer time, and whieb could then be furnished, but which cireumstances beyond control may prevent the parties interested from producing at a #u'sequent period, the entry is suspended or cancelled. To meet and confirm not only cases of thie character, but also purchases at ordinary private sale, a remedial statute wes passed by Congress on the 3d day of August, 184%, which law havin expired by limitation, was revived oy act approved March, 1 and is to contirne in force for ten years from its date, the adjustment of suse mded entries and locations exicting at the © of it# passage. A number of cases similar in character having arisen and been suspended vince the 84 of March, 1653, and the Executlye Laving no power under existing legislation (o release them from suspen- rion, it is recommended that Congress so amend the sant act Cf 1853 that all devective entries of the chara:t?: ¢ n- templates by the acts of 1846 and 1853, made on and af- ter March, 1863, and prior to the passage of the proposed new law, may be adjustec or contirmed. United States reserved sections are no! liable to entry upder the pre-emption act of 4+h September, 1841, bu: hy the act of 'd March, 1853, such sections are subjec‘ed to pe passes. retilement sod entry, at the maimuim fixed by law for their sale, provided the settlement and improvement on which the ciaim is based be made “prior to the final allotment of tne sltermite sections to such railroads by the General Land Office.” 1: has been de- cided by this cffice that these seccions, after thay have been ex; o#ed to public sale scain become subjest to pre- emption at the minimum fixed for their sale, It is propcsed to amend the act of 1853 no ay to render such sections able to pre empti n, aa well when the set- Uement was made after as bef re the allotment—chat is, at any time after the withdrawal of the lands for railroad purposes, and before the Rape sale, The pre-emption act of 1811 confers a preference right only where the settlement is made sud equect to the sur- vey. This was moditied by segisiation in 1863 and 1854, zo as to extend to upsurveyed Janis in California, Ovegoa, Minneso‘a, Kansas, Nedrarka and New Mexico. It is supgeeted that the pre-emption laws be so zmended a8 to authorize settlements gecerally on uusurveye! lands, and whenever pon a return of survey two or more settlers are found reriding upon the asme qnarter section, vhat the entry be made by them jointly, allowing to each settler, in addition, adjicent legal gubdivisions ot un- ocen) ied land, vot ty exceo: 1,600 acres in tall to each piymanrnt settler, and not to impair the ight vf any other rotual settler to bis previous settlemen’. The Jaw allows Registers to purcnase lands of the go- verrment by application to the Surveyor Gereral, aod practice has tacctioned purchases by the receiver, upoo éiect applies n to the ister, as im ordinary cases. The common and civil law altke forbid the uutoa in ths same person of the eopselte character of bayer aud seller, even ina fiduciary. 1 se no 1eason why the exc'usio. from purchase should not be exteaded ‘equally to tie \ cal and all other officers connected wish tae admiaiscra- tion of the land system, as now exists by law in regar to the cnployés of this office, and as to all snch I recom- mend the exclucion be directed by pos! Attention is again respecttully uvited + y condition of the records of Virgin‘a mililary patents, in which are numerous instances where, instead ot a plete record of a grant, the plate and surveys them: are merely posted In volumes, as evidence of the issue of a patent, It is suggested tuat authority be given to per- fect these records 1n a prrmanent and systematic man- ner, so that transcripts from them shall be ot equl va- welty as evidence of title, as an exemp'ification from tha origival patent itself, the act of Congress approved July 2, 1885, provides, ‘that the tracts ot land in the Territory ot Wisconsia including the towns of tort Madison and Burlington, ia the county of Des Moines; Bellevieu, Dabaque, aut Peru, in the county of Dubuque,” and Mineral 1 ia the county of lov a, “shall be ‘aid off into town lots, dut-lots, &c.,” and thet *‘wiuhtn six months thereatter, the shall be offered to the highest biider at public sale, unser the direction of the President of the United States, and at such other times as he shail thick proper.” ‘The amendatory act of Murch 3, 187, pro appointment of a Board of Unnmissloners t: pre-emption claims to lots, arising under the aforesaid act of July 2, 1886, und coacts that after ull the pre- exoption ceser shall have been heard and determined, the resi¢ue of the lots shall be exposed “‘t> public sale to the highest bidder, after advertising.” &e. ‘This legislation provides only two modes for the aispo- sal ef the lows in’ question, to wi’: “by pre-emption” aad by “public sale,” ane this office hae decided that pzivate entries of such lots carrot be permitted without further legislation authorizing the same, and fixing a price at which such entries may be made. Legislation to this elect is recommended. By the act of Congress approved July 22, 1854, creating the office of Surveyor (enecal of Nex Moxic», it is msde his duty, under instructions from the Cepartment, “to ascertain the origin, nature, charactec and extent of all claims to lands under the law, usages and customs of Spain and Mexico, and for this purpose way issue notices, summon witnesses, admi sister oats,” and to make a full report on all such claims. The'instructions con’emplated by the law were passed uncer'date of 2Ist August, 1854, and dispatched to the Surveyor General, prescribing the line of his duty, and directing the course to be pursued, to place the tive at Washington in poesession of such n report as wi enable C gress to legislate understandingly in the way of confirmation. Ina leiter of 31st May last, da‘ed at Santa Fe, the Surveyor General refers to the ‘vast labor whtet has been pertcrmed in settling the titles to toe private lund claims in this Tennitory,” stating tha’ “thirty-five han- dred dollars is alluwed to the Surveyor General of Oregon ond Washington, and forty-five to the like officiats in California, ag salaries, there they are exempt f om this Gescaigtion of duty,” ard, to give “‘anitea of the amoant ct busines tn the claim department of this office,” reports “that in accordance with” his ‘ instructions’’ he ‘eal'ed upon the Surveyor for all the Epes = aa’ the claims, put up in bundles as reference to what w enormous werk to mak blic archives relating to the private when he shewed” him ‘a mass ¢ ge as goods boxes, them, and said it was an the selections necessary, end that he could rot have i: performed,” &e ; that + there seemed to be about. two wagon loads of paperd, the ac- cumulsticrs of some two hundred and fifty years.” The Surveyor General furtuer reports that he placal * two real business mev, Spanish scholars, makiog tec tions;” that ‘they Lave been at it from the firs! ary to the present without getting throng “found a very large number of importan: pape” in re- tation to the lands granted to settlers in New M-xts which, for intelligent action, ‘he thinks necessa: travelated.’” As these claims are to be exanti acjucicated by the “Surveyor General, who hus ales to attené tothe donation. :t and the surveying of the pub: lic lands,”” it fs ¢ na{dered just and necessacy that an ap- prcjrittion Fhould be made, eufficiea: at least to eaable bet officer to bave sucha systematic arrangewent of there archives, selections and translations, as wi'l fur vish him reHable data in acting upon these ancient titles. In bis annval repor! just et hand, ani received since the foregoing was written, the fact is commuvicated that there are many lend titlen in the arch'ves of the county seats of the Territory; that he ia acvi-ed thata’l the grants mate between the first conquest of the Territory, und its re conquest in 1678. are in the archives at Hi Peso, the former eapital, whore are also depositet the grants to individuals in the Mosilla Valley, and in the territory acquired by the Gadsden treaty of 80th Decem- ver, 1885. It is deemed important that an appropriation be made to enable that officer to collect and properly arrange all the archives of the Territory emmnected with unadjusted private land titles. Further legislation ix also recommended by the Surveyor General, with a view totheiradjustment and authority desired for run- ning the boundary fine between T-xas ani New Mexico, in order that he may close his surveys therein. The act of 27th July, 1854, made provision for a board of commissioners a tVincennes, to ascertain and adjunt the titles to land in Inciana, under the several acts of Congress making and confirming grants to se‘tlera. It was provided ‘ that every claiman‘ to any tract of land +o gianted, or apy patt cr subdivision thereof, who can produce to much commissioners regular chain of title from the origisel confirmes to himself,” &e., ‘shall be confirmed in the ti le ;” and eection seven ai-ecta thit a patent thall issue ‘to each claimant *o confirmed in bis title.” ‘The construction given to the lew is that it applies oniy to such rural elaims as may have been sub- Givided, and not to town lots, anf doves ro*, therefore, conteruplate the issue of a patent for each portion of a claim, where the same may have been ent up irto town lots, or parts of lots, but that one patent sha'l issue fo- the original claim, so that the title under it will inure t the lotholéer. This construction was offictally commu- nicated to the commissioners for their government. By the limitation of the sixth section of the act, the boaid was required to close its sessions on the Lat of <ept., £55, They were closed accordingly, and « report bas been received. The cocket snows o list of 220 ciaima ; about 90 are marked * confirmed.’? Want of time has pre: vented proper examination of the report. It is evident. however, that the business hss not beeafa ly completes,and in order to close it up satisfactorily, it will bo neceswary to revive the board, or to create a new commission. And in case of further legislation for that purpose, it is sug- gested that one commissioner be appvinted fo: a lim'ted period, to decide upon claims which from any case have failed to be acted upon by the iate board. The Register and Receiver atSault Ste. Maris, Michigan, have recently made their report, under the act of Con: gress, approved September 26, 1850, entitled “An act Previding for the examination and settlement of clairas for Jand at the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.” Thoy return 150 case brought before them, 124 of which have been arproved by them, U1 rejected, and the remaining 12 not “ofinitely acted upon. The action of this office upon said report, #9 far as time hax permitted, has resulted in favor of the confirmation of 60 of theclaims, the suspension of 41 for further con- sideration, and the rejection of 26 of them. bad In the ‘progress of the business some difficulty has arisen from conflicting titles, in a few cases, but little trouble is apprehended iu their final settlement. Under the set of March 2, 1855, the account betwean the United States and the State of Alabama was adjusted and s‘ated on the 22d of March last, as required by sard act, from which it appesrs there was due the State— For the 2 per cent tund the sur of, ++: $51,884 57 For the 8 per cent fund the sum of, 77,001 86 Making a total... ses sees $198,385 42 In creatirg the dis 's subject to sale at Sault St. Marie, Michigan, oll the islands of Lakes Michigan and Huron were attached to that district, thus making it very inconvenient for the purchasera, on account of the dis- tance, rome of the falands being sftuated in x = in the lakes adjacent and op} ‘A similar course should be pursued in regard to the islands in Saginaw Bay, islands eouth ot the Sheboygan district, by attaching them to the adjacent land districts. Operations under our Yan bp sped have besome moro complicated, growing out of its connexion with our In- dian relations. Tho policy of enlightened patriots of the t and present ago has been one of forveatance and humsnity towards the aborigines. Their purpose has been to make provision for their physical wants, and to bring them within the pale of tion. Present ex- perience, however, teaches that the period has pissed when extensive reaiene of country can, with security, bs vet apart and established as permanent homes fur theve wan ge BeBe Causes, apparent to the world, are ra- aly dimiuishing the supply of game, and conse uextiy ta ‘away the means of support provided by nature for them in the forest. Before the advancing step of our people, all the great tribes that roamed over the country east of the Mississippi have disappeared, But a vestige of them remains, The tile of emigration, which never ebbs, cannot long be re- strained by the arm of mment, but will flow on until the vast extent of Territory between the Mis- fissipol and the Pacific shall be fillet wi h our own race, Already our settlements are pressing tho tribes wert of the Missiesippi from the locations we have given them. Where are they to ‘And what provision will the gov. ernment make for ? Our fature policy seems to be indicated by the enactment of ~hne f impor! ant law, a) roved 19th December, 1854, enti “An act to provide for the extinguishment of the title of the Chippown In. dians to the js owned and claimed by them in the Territory of Minmesota end State cf Wiscomsin, and for their domestication amd civiliza'ion.”” Aud providing not only for the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands within those limits, but alto for securing to each Indisn sho is the head of a family, a portivn of said lands in fee to hunself, but without the power of aliena- tien Ifthe polley trdizated by this legislation prove sucdesstul, the trives as such, will cease to own the which will become the individual proporty of the heads of families, and each Indian family will bs sepa: ted in interest apd pursuit from the tribe, being thus more easil; successfully brought under the influence of our cus and institutions, and the measure adopt- d by government for their etvilization and domestica tion. Chia \flice will cordially co-operate with the other branches of the public service in every proper effort to secure the success of ® policy belleved to be #0 wise and humane. ee oe have been made under recent treaties, as 8 MicaiGay.—For Ontonagon band of Chippewas, four Hec- tions, under treaty of July 80, 185%, on south’ shore of Lake Superior, eight or ten miles north-east of the mouth of Ontonsgon river. 3 Southern peninvular, for Tndian purposes, twenty, full townships, situated north east of Grand Traverse ig 6 For Indian mission parposes, sixteen townships, being all of Jeabella coucty. For O:tuwas and Chippewas, under treaty of 3ist July, 1856, elght full townships north-west of Grand Traverse bey, one small tract east of same, ané two others a Thunder Bay Northern peninsula, under trenty of Stat of July, 1886, one tract on Suyar Island, Nebish Istand, and part of main land; part of o township at Iroquois point;’part of « township west of same, one township at, Montisque lake, aro Garown ané High felands in Lake Wisbigan, ‘Wi coeiv,—Under Chippewa troaty, of 80th Saptember, 1864, for Lause und Vieux desert bards, four townships at h side of Keweeran and Huroa bays, from whish to relections. 3 other Indians, six fall townships west of the mou! treal river, ‘For other Wisem- Fin ba. ds at Lacs de Flambeau and Conrt. rritltes, the quantity of rine townships; adjacent to exch, fom which to selest six towaships. MINNSSOLTA TERRITORY, Under the same treat; ‘ond du Lae bands, 100,000 acres en the right bank of the St. Louis silver, immedistely below the Sa- vanvuh river. For the Grand Fortage band, a tract ecteniling back to Pigeon river, under the second article of the treaty of Febroary 22, 1855. For the Mississtppl band of Chippewas, four townships on couth side of Millo Lacs and Same istands, under the secord article of the Winnebago treaty of 27ta February, 6 For +a'd tribe, nine townships south of the geent bend of Mirnesota river, unter treaty of 16th Ju'y, 18390, and act approved 17th July, 1864. For the Sioux half bresds, fourtoen townships on west shore of Lake Pepin. Under treaty of 284 January, 4862, for Dacotah band, ten miles ench side of Minnesota tiver, tom’ near the great bend to its source. j OREGON TERR|TORY. For the Umpqua and Williamette t/ibes, on the Pacific coast, frem Point Lookeut toa point near Umpqua river, one hundres miles by twenty miles. ‘The revolution of the House of Representatives, of the 4th August, 1854, requires:— . “That the Secretary uf the Intetior cauée to be pre- pared, for the use of tne House of Represen’atives, dur- ing the recess of Congress, a statemen of the time the public lands may have been ist market, as well as the quantity, classilied accordiug to tho ect gcaduating and reducing’ the price of the public lands, passed 4th August, 1864." ‘The information called for by this resolution will be communicated in a separate report. The accounts of the Receivers of Pubic Moneys ani of the Survey r# have been adjusted, includiog the latest dates, and the multifarious and intricate daties incident to this branch of the public service have been discharged very grnerally with ability and energy. Respectfully sub- mitted, THOS. A. HENDRICKS, Commissioner. Hon. R. McCLutianp, Secretary of the Interior. OUR NATIONAL FINANCES.. Annual Report of the Secretary of the Txca. sury. Treasony Derantment, Dec. 3, 1855. Sim—In obedience to,the a>t supplementary to the act entitled ‘‘An act to establish the Treasury Department,” spproved May 10, 1800, the following report is submit- ted:— wt The balance in the treasury on the Istof ‘uly, 1854, WAS sceescseecscesseceessesesssetseee ses $20,137,067 50 The actual receipts of the first quarter of the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1855, vir., the quarter end ing Sept. £0, 1854, were:— From custoins, + $18,639,798 45 from lands 2,731,654 12 850 28 Miscellaneous 1 tia Ub ses seas aes s$21,521,802 85 other three quarters, The estimated receipts’ for the re Miscellaneous, Totph.ss ses scosrecsesscserssscses This, together with the ‘actual ;ezeipts quarter, and the balance in the Treasury on the lat of july, 1864, made the aggregate sum estimated cf $81,159,- 274 36 for the service of the fiscal year esdiog the’ 30th June, 1855. The actual expenditure for the first quarter of said year war $16,160,320 62, as follows, to wi :— Civil, miscellaneous and fereign intercourse $5,241,749 31 Interior. 2,175,737 18 8,307,039 92 Navy Department. 2,558,791 09 Redemption oi pubite debt and premia 1,876,018 17 ima'ed ¢xpenditures for the remaining three- of the year were a4 follow: ‘ at, foreign intercon ee, and miscel- laneous,.. senereeee $95,085,031 13 Deficiency in the Post Office Department. 2,719,464 00 Interior + _8)133,655 25 13,648,350 90 11,258,095 71 2;370,003 60 Making the actual expenses for the Arst quarter, and the estimated expenver for the other three quarters, $64,245,021 21; and leaving an estimated balance in abe treasury on the Ist of July, 1855, of $19,762,049 29. The actual recelyta into ‘the treasury for the fiseal year cessesee $48,176,590 59 ending 20:h June, 1855, were, for the Ist quarter.—From customs... $18,630,798 45 From lands + 2,731,664 12 «cellaneous. 2 7149/80 28 Totel.....+20s000e- 08 21,802 85 2d quetter.—From custom: + 10,317,864 41 From | + 8,873,039 80 i 87,558 12 Total........++ + 14,278,862 33 84 quarter.—From customs, + 12,646,068 From lands. 1,763,644 41 Mircellaneous 157,210 19 Making. Balance in the treasury, ist July, 1864 Total sum for the rervice of the fiscal year ending July 1, 1865.. The receipts from customs w ‘The receipts fiom lands wore, Miscellaneous... Total........ The actual expen Ist quarter 2d quarter 3d quarter 4th quarter., Total ..... + 66,209,922 04 The expendi Civil, miscellaneous and foreign intercourse 24,183,487 43 Interior + 4,126,739 00 War 2 14,778,826 36 Navy" 2 13;281,341 01 Recemp' le by PEMHUM vee ee cesses cee Balance in the trensury, ist July, 1865, (as Appears in detail, per statement No. 1,).. 18,931,976 01 It will be seen by reference to atateneut No. 1 that the sum of $0,844 528 24 wae expended duriog the year in payment of interest, premiums and tion of the ublic debt, waking the expenditures Seva hee Br $50,360, 500 aad Pe upon other obje: In my last rep:rt the estimated receipts for the fixcal | be ending the 80th of June, 1860, were a3 follows ‘rom customs, , $56,000,000 00 ¥rom lands i 6,000,000 00 Miscellaneeus 600,000 00 Lo Pee Omens ++ 62,600,000 00 Add estimated’ ‘balance in “the treasury, DARE: WOO e err te ckeasy seileeed 19,762,046 29 Total extimater for the service of the fiscal PAT 1858... eee eve : 82,262,040 20 gine entimaisd expenditures for the same were’ as fol- 8 Balance of former appropriations to be ex- pended this yent...ssssss esses ¢ Permanent and indefinite appropriations to be expended..... + 7,094,411 70 Appropriations asked for. 41,722}516 47 MOG is ee Ni gexvictes $60,860,833. 37 Leaving an estimated balance in the treasury on the rin, Se oe reels ita thet 92, actual reeeipts into the treasury for the first quar- ter of said year, viz.: the quarter ending 2 s y ber, 1865, have Leen as follow ee ne . 917,085,238 28 From custom 2/356,725 87 333,496 98 ssa $10,774 400 18 ‘The estimated receipts for the ‘remaining theres quar- ters are now Ket down as follows From customs. Total......cee... + $48,144,274 15 Making the actual’ ‘rec rst my ‘ quarter, and the estimated receipts for ¢ remaining three quarters, $67,918,734 26 Add balance in the tressury, f 18 18,031,976 01 Mani, e $86,860,710 27 for the service of be al Tke actual expenditures for the first quarter of sald | | ¢