1st. For an approximate estimate of the swamp lands from the plats and field notes of the public surveys, would cost not less than $200. 2nd. For full diagrams as per sample No. 1 enclosed, of the school sections in each surveyed township, on a scale of 20 ch's to the inch, showing topography description of the soil, timber, and the establishment and bearing trees of all the section, quarter section, meander and witness corners, at $2,13 for township of full sections, or at the rate of one eighth of a cent per acre. Sample No. 2, $3,20. 3d. For statement showing what fractional townships as far as surveyed, are deficient wholly or in part in the school sections, and the amount of such deficiency., 4th. For statement showing what portions (if any) have been pre-empted prior to survey, and whether such pre-emptions have been allowed or otherwise, by the Register and Receivers of the District Land Offices, $75, but to which must be added the charges of the land officers for the information to be given by them on the lists furnished them for that purpose. I would remark that all of the foregoing information proposed to be furnished the Legislature on the terms above mentioned, has to be supplied by the clerks of this office out of office hours, and altogether apart from their regular official duties, and will consequently require a somewhat onger time to complete. It could, however, I think, be furnished by the meeting of the Legislature in December next. I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, Surveyor General. "G."-(COPY OF REPLY.) STATE OF MINNESOTA, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Hon. Chas. L. Emerson, Surveyor General : DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your communication of the 23d ultimo. The information in regard to the several sections of school lands, the fractional sections and fractional towns, with the diagrams you submit as samples, is remarkably full and interesting-and I shall feel myself compelled to advise the Legislature to put the State in possession of this information. As the beginning of a comprehensive system in relation to the public lands of the State it is indispensable. As I am desirous that the Legislature should, at an early day have all the information before it, to determine wisely as to the proper method of selecting swamp lands, I would request you to furnish me an estimate of the amount of swamp lands to which Minnesota would be entitled in the lands already surveyed, not including those already entered, claimed or sold. The expense must not much exceed the amount you named, viz: $200, and I should prefer that it should not at all exceed that sum. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed.) “H.”—(Copy,) .. An Estimate of the amount of Swamp or overflowed Lands accruing to the State of Minnesota, (from the surveyed portion thereof,) under the Act of Congress of March 12, 1860. NOTE: The following estimate is based on the plats and field notes of the public surveys selected therefrom, in accordance with the mode prescribed by the Commissioners of the General Land Office, in cases where a State elects to take the swamp lands from the data thus afforded. |