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G.-Estimate for the surveying service in the district of Nevada for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.

For survey ing township exteriors and subdivisions near Walker river..

For surveying subdivision lines in Paradise valley, and on the Humboldt river adjoining...

$9,000 00

For surveying standards, exteriors, and subdivisions on the Humboldt river, on the line of the Central Pacific railroad..

9,000 00

For surveying subdivisions in the Reese river district

20,000 00

For surveying standards, exteriors, and subdivisions in Ruby valley.
Rent of office, stationery, and incidental expenses, including messenger
For compensation of surveyor general
For compensation of clerks

Total......

7,000 00

5,000 00

4,700 00

3,000 00

8,400 00

66, 100 00

No. 18 H.

SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Boise City, Idaho Territory, August 1, 1867.

Sir: In accordance with your instructions, under date of March 26, 1867, I herewith submit the following report, in duplicate, of the surveying service in this district, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1867, together with the following statements appertaining to the office and field work :

A.-Estimate of expenses incident to the survey of the public lands in the Territory of Idaho, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.

B.-Statement showing the condition of surveying contracts, entered into since the office was opened.

C.-Statement of expenditure of appropriation for compensation of surveyor general, and clerk in his office, for the fractional fiscal year ending June 30, 1867. D.-Statement of the office expenditure for the fractional fiscal year ending June 30, 1867.

E.-Statement of original plats or diagrams of standard lines.

F-Account of appropriation for extension of public surveys for the fractional fiscal year ending June 30, 1867.

G.-Diagram of Idaho, compiled from the best information at our command, and showing the lines actually run prior to 30th June, 1867.

The office was opened on the seventh day of November last, but as your instructions governing the office and field work were not received until January 18, 1867, I did not think proper to let any contracts for surveying, or to make any arrangement for a permanent office, and as we had a very severe winter and late spring, it was impossible for surveying parties to take the field until April.

The initial point of surveys for this surveying district was fixed upon the summit of a rocky butte, standing isolated upon the plain, between Snake and Boise rivers, bearing south 2940 west, and distant nineteen miles from Boise City, and the initial, as given by solar compass, is in latitude 43° 26' north. Having no instruments with which to make observations for longitude, it was not determined.

The extension of the base line, Boise meridian, and standard parallels has demonstrated that the initial was well selected, as all these lines are where they should be to meet the present and future agricultural interests of the country, as well as the basis of the survey of the mineral lands, when the same may be required.

Two contracts were let on the 8th April, one to P. W. Bell, to survey the base line east one hundred miles, and west thirty-six miles; also, the Boise meridian south to the southern boundary of the district, and the first standard

south and west thirty-six miles, to form the base of surveys in the Owyhee gold

and silver mines.

The work has been completed, and diagrams, with transcript of field-notes, transmitted to your office, except, however, about twelve miles of the meridian, near the south boundary of the district, which, owing to high water, it was utterly impossible to complete at the time.

The other contract, to A. M. Thompson, was for the extension of the Boise meridian north forty-eight miles, and the first standard northwest to Snake river, and east forty-two miles.

The standard west will be the base for the work in the Payette valley, and the same line east, for the survey of the mineral lands in Boise basin.

The contract has been completed, and diagram with transcript of field notes transmitted to the General Land Office.

The same deputy will extend the meridian into the northern part of the Territory, where there are large tracts of good agricultural lands, which are being located by actual settlers. The returns of the field-notes of the contract have not been made, but are expected in three or four days, as the deputy has just returned from the field.

In making the estimates for the office expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, I have only asked for a sum sufficient to meet the actual wants of the office.

The estimates for the field work for the same time are much less than might be judiciously expended, and will not enable this office to contract for the survey of more than one-fourth of the lands now in occupation of actual settlers ; but if this amount can be made available at an early day the ensuing season, it will meet the wants of the settlements, and I trust you will ask for this amount, which I propose to expend in running exterior and subdivision lines in the Payette, Weiser, Boise, Clearwater, and Salmon River valleys, where the most urgent demands for the surveys exist, and where the soil is usually good and productive.

Exterior lines, sufficient to cover the most prominent quartz ledges in Owyhee, Alturas, Boise, and Nez Percés counties, should be run next season to enable this office to give a just showing of the extensive quartz and placer mines of these counties, as well as to enable the owners of quartz ledges to avail themselves of the benefit of the act of Congress, approved July 26, 1866, "granting the right of way to ditch and canal owners on the public lands and for other purposes."

CLIMATE.

The altitude of Idaho Territory, with its mountains and table lands, renders the winters cold compared with the country lying west, but dry and healthy. The Boise, Payette, and Weiser valleys are sheltered and mild.

SOIL.

The soil of the valleys is highly favorable to the growth of cereals and vege tation. Extensive crops are raised where irrigation is practicable. The alkali land, mostly covered with sage bush, has proved well adapted to the raising of grain. The soil, reported second rate, being decomposed granite, yields the heaviest crops.

TABLE LANDS.

The extensive table lands are covered with wild grasses and wild valuable for grazing.

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TIMBER.

The mountains are clothed with pine and fir timber. The valleys are destitute of timber except a species of cottonwood growing along the banks of the rivers. The valleys are depending upon the mountains at a heavy cost for lumber and fuel.

MINERALS.

Gold is found on the lead-waters of all the rivers. Rich placer mines have been profitably worked or years on the Clearwater and Salmon rivers. Extensive placer and quartz mines are found on the Boise river and its branches, embracing several distr cts. Many rich quartz lodes of gold and silver have been discovered and partially worked; their future development depending upon the reduced cost of transportation and other expenses, which thus far have retarded the growth and prosperity of the country.

The quartz and placer mines of Owyhee county, situated in the southwest part of the Territory, have proved to be eminently rich so far as developed. Some of the ledges are being worked with valuable machinery, repaying the capital invested, though at an enormous outlay. The quantity and quality of the ore already abstracted are favorable indications of their future wealth.

Several thousands of gold and silver quartz claims have been taken up and recorded, more or less prospected, but the heavy expenses under which the miners of this Territory have labored, has, in general, prevented their successful development. The near approach of the Pacific railroad to the southern borders of the Territory will materially reduce the cost of working the mines, when the resources of the country will be more favorably brought into notice.

POPULATION.

From the most reliable sources of information the population is estimated at twenty thousand. This does not include the floating portion of miners, which this year has been comparatively small.

IMPROVEMENTS, ETC.

The farmers in general have erected substantial dwellings, barns, and fences and are extensively engaged in planting fruit trees. Many thousands of apple, plum, pear, peach, and cherry trees have been planted, some of which are already bearing. These were obtained at a distance, under the customary disadvantages, but will, in another year, repay the risk and outlay.

By the 1st of December next the full amount of the appropriation at the disposal of this office will have been consumed, and unless another is made at the next session of Congress, there will be no funds to prosecute the surveys the coming season.

All of which is respectfully submitted:

Hon. Jos S. Wilson,

Commissioner General Land Office.

LA FAYETTE CARTÉE,
Surveyor General Idaho.

A.-Estimate for surveying and office expenses in the district of Idaho for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.

Office expenses:

For compensation of surveyor general

$3,000 00

For compensation of chief clerk.

1,800 00

For compensation of draughtsman..

1,500 00

For rent of office, fuel, books, stationery, and other incidental

expenses...

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Surveying service:

For surveying 400 miles standard lines, at $15 per mile.

$6,000 00

For surveying exterior boundaries of 40 townships, 480 miles, at $12 per mile

5,760 00

For surveying 2,400 miles of subdivisional lines, at $10 per mile..

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Total estimates...

45,060 00

B.-Statement showing the condition of surveying contracts entered into since

the office was opened.

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1

Peter W. Bell ....

April 8 Boise meridian south from the initial
point to the 42d parallel of lati-
tude; base line west from initial
point to a point due south of the
Owyhee river, and east from the
same point 100 miles, and the
first standard parallel south(west)
36 miles.

2 Allen M. Thompson. April 8 Boise meridian north of initial

3

4

point 48 miles, and first standard
parallel north (west) to Snake
river, and east 42 miles.

Allen M. Thompson. May 27 Boise meridian north, continued
180 miles, and two standard lines
140 miles.

Peter W. Bell...... June 26 Exterior and subdivisional lines of

townships 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 north,
ranges 1, 2, 3, and 4, east of
Boise meridian.

Surveys completed, notes returned and approved, and plats and transcript transmitted.

Surveys comp'd, notes ret'd and ap'vd, and plats and transcripts transmitted. Surveys comple ted, notes not yet returned. Party in the field.

C.-Statement of account of appropriation for compensation of surveyor general of Idaho and clerks in his office for the fractional fiscal year ending June 30,

1867.

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D-Statement of appropriation for rent of office, fuel, books, stationery, and other incidental expenses for the fractional fiscal year ending June 30, 1867.

DR.

To amount expended fourth quarter, 1866...

CR.

$502 35

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To amount expended first quarter, 1867...

491 10

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536 92

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E.-Statement of original plats or diagrams of standard lines, and copies transmitted to the General Land Office.

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