E. Estimate of expenses incident to the survey of the public lands in Washington Territory for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. For salary of clerk.... 1,200 00 For rent of office, wages of messenger, fuel, books, stationery, and other incidentals.... 2,000 00 The estimate for 216 miles meridian and standard parallel lines includes 90 miles of guide meridian through the Colville valley, and the sixth standard parallel 54 miles east from the Columbia guide meridian. The 7th standard parallel, 12 miles E. and 12 miles W., through new guide meridian, (24 m ) The 8th standard parallel, 12 miles E. and 12 miles W., through new guide meridian, (24 m.) The 9th standard parallel, 12 miles E. and 12 miles W., through new guide meridian, (24 m.) The estimates for 500 miles exterior lines and 2,500 miles of section and meander lines include 16 townships in the Colville valley, 10 townships on the Columbia river, in the vicinity of and below Priest's rapids, 6 townships on the Upper Yokama, and 4 townships on Puget sound. The extension of the sixth standard parallel 54 miles east from the Columbia guide meridian, and the projection therefrom of a guide meridian, to run north through the Colville valley, is deemed preferable to the extension of the Columbia guide meridian north through an uninhabited and almost uninhabitable country, remote from the settlements intended to be accommodated by the proposed surveys at Colville. Very respectfully, S. GARFIELD, Surveyor General Washington Territory. Hon. JOSEPH S. WILSON, Commissioner General Land Office. No. 18 L. SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, Helena, Montana Territory, October 26, 1867. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the surveys of Montana, together with the result of my observations and inquiries as to the agricultural and mineral portions of this Territory, agreeably to your instructions of May 9, 1867. In July last I proceeded to examine Beaver Head Rock, the point suggested by you as a suitable one for the initial point of the surveys. I took with me Professor B. F. Marsh, whom I have known for years as a scientific and skilful civil engineer, and Major W. W. De Lacy, who is a practical surveyor and engineer, thoroughly conversant with the topography of this country. Having superior instruments for the purpose, we were enabled to make accurate observations. North from Beaver Head Rock a meridian would pass, in a short distance, over the cañon of the Big Hole river, and thence, in a very few miles, over a number of very deep gulches, with precipitous sides, finally culminating about fifteen miles distant in the main range of the Rocky mountains, whose sides are broken by deep and almost impassable ravines; thence the line would continue, for about one hundred miles, over mountains wholly impracticable. South from Beaver Head Rock, for about ten miles, the land is rolling, unfit for any purpose except grazing; thence south the line would ascend a mass of rugged mountains and continue thereon beyond the limits of the Territory. On the west, a base line, for twelve miles, would run over land rolling, sometimes broken, thence ascending the dividing range between the Big Hole and Beaver Head, and crossing westward over some of the highest and most rugged mountains in the Territory. East, the line would pass over two ranges of mountains before reaching the Madison Fork, a distance of about thirty-five miles; thence over a succession of mountain ranges separating the Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers and their tributaries, and therefore wholly impracticable. The point selected, after a thorough reconnoissance and many trials, is on the summit of a limestone hill about 800 feet high, about twelve miles southwest of the junction of the three forks of the Missouri river. Willow creek flows at its base on the east, and the hill projects boldly northward into the valley of Jefferson Fork. It is a prominent landmark for miles around, and the base and meridian lines from it will run through the principal valleys east of the mountains, where the public surveys are required to be extended as soon as possible. The base line east crosses the Gallatin valley, twenty-five miles wide, and can be extended into the valley of the Yellowstone through the Boseman Pass. West from the initial point the line passes through the valley of Jefferson Fork, thirty-four miles, to the base of the main range of mountains; thence it would cross them at a feasible point and at the heads of the Deer Lodge and Bitter Root valleys on the Pacific slope. South, the principal meridian runs through a rich mineral region, enters the Madison valley at the head of a cañon twenty-three miles distant, thence this valley to the territorial line. up North, the meridian line accommodates the Missouri valley and its tributaries, facilitating the connection of the surveys of the farming lands and the mineral region in the vicinity of Helena with the principal lines. In fact, the base and meridian lines are so located that the survey of the agricultural and mineral lands east of the Rocky mountains can be made with immediate reference to those lines, and by extending the base line west, the most important valleys and mines will be connected with this system of surveys; advantages which can be secured by no other lines. In view of these facts, developed by careful observation and exploration of the country, I have deemed it best to locate the principal lines as stated. The surveys since made demonstrate the fitness of the choice, which may be further seen by reference to the accompanying map, and I trust it will secure your approval. With the appropriation of $25,000 for surveying the public lands of Montana, 166 miles of base and principal meridian lines have been run, at a cost of $2,490. These surveys, together with those now under contract and in progress, are exhbiited in statement marked A, hereto appended. No salaries were paid for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1867, except that of surveyor general, which was $516 67. This is shown in statement marked B. A map, accompanying this report, has been prepared, as requested in your communication of July 27, 1867. This map has been drawn by W. W. De Lacy, draughtsman, and it is due him to say that, for the purpose of publishing a map. he has been engaged for five years in surveys and explorations, often at great hazard, the result of which, together with all the information he has obtained, is placed for the use of the department. I deem this valuable and worthy of mention. The statement marked C contains the estimate for surveying and office expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, which amounts to $119,600. In making this estimate I have been governed by what are unquestionably the wants of the people, as ascertained by my personal observation, the general desire of the settlers for surveys in all the principal valleys, and the actual extension of the settlements. The salary of surveyor general, $3,000 per year, I find wholly insufficient for my personal expenses, owing to the discounts of twenty-five per cent. on currency, high prices of living, &c. Experience has proven that the amount now fixed by law is absorbed in six months. I earnestly request that it be increased to $6,000. The estimates of salaries for clerks, draughtsmen, &c., I have made, from what has been my experience in employing competent persons, and the money already expended privately in securing their services. Prices for all kinds of labor are extremely high, and especially do I find it difficult to obtain such as I would employ, at the salaries named in your instructions. I respectfully ask that the appropriations named be made. Competent deputies cannot be procured to extend the principal lines over the rugged hills and mountains, for the prices named in your instructions. The base and meridian lines, now surveyed, run for many miles over these mountains, and Deputy Marsh, who is an experienced and skilful surveyor, has completed his contract at a loss of over $1,000, which he will make the subject of a special communication. I therefore respectfully ask that the price for surveying the base, meridian, and standard lines over the mountains and broken foot-hills be increased to $20 per mile, and if a survey of the timber lands is ordered, the price for exterior township lines be increased to $15 per mile, and subdivision lines to $12 per mile. The price for surveying lodes and mining claims ($10 per day) is wholly inadequate to pay surveyors for their time. It will be with great difficulty that competent men can be procured at present prices. I beg leave to recommend that this per diem be raised to at least $25. AGRICULTURE. I have made diligent inquiries as to the resources of Montana, now being developed in those portions which demand earliest attention. I find the land in the valleys, suitable for cultivation, to be first-rate and unusually fertile, almost every variety of the cereals yielding abundantly. A mountain stream of good size, generally, courses rapidly through the valley, increasing in volume from many springs and clear sparkling brooks from the adjacent hills and mountains. A sufficient supply of water for irrigation is generally afforded, and the table lands, situated below the sources of the streams, can be watered with facility, thus adding a large percentage of fertile lande, which, until recently, were supposed to be confined to the bottoms alone. The soil of these table lands is of fine quality, and it has been ascertained that the crops in such localities are more certain and quite as abundant as those produced on the low lands of the valleys. I believe fully one-third of the entire area of the Territory is susceptible of profitable cultivation. The more important valleys, requiring immediate survey, are the Bitter Root, Deer Lodge, Hell Gate, Round, Big Hole, Beaver Head, Stinking Water, Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, Boulder, Prickly Pear, including Helena and the Missouri, from the Three Forks to Cañon Ferry, east of Helena, in all of which there are settlements. The arable lands in these valleys, from a careful estimate, amount to 9,000 square miles, and contracts will be let as soon as possible to experienced deputies for the survey of portions amounting to the present appropriation. Natural roads lead from the different valleys to the cities, towns, and mining camps, many of which are equalled only by the best improved roads in the States. A ready home market is found for the produce of the ranches and dairies, and the supply of the different kinds of grain is, no doubt, sufficient for the No. surveyed. C.-Statement showing original plats made, &c.-Continued. D.-Statement showing list of lands surveyed in Washington Territory since June 30, 1866, and up to June 30, 1867. 1 Township 28 north, range 6 east.......... Acres. 22,611, 43 19,849, 28 21, 631. 23 12, 602.06 22,062,60 23, 134.58 4,730.86 8, 660.94 5,318.59 22,731.49 23,077.49 1, 1-4. 18 18,210,65 9 10 11 12 13 14 15, 467.21 15 1,491,82 16 9,682,00 E. Estimate of expenses incident to the survey of the public lands in Washington Territory for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. For salary of clerk.. For rent of office, wages of messenger, fuel, books, stationery, and other incidentals... For 216 miles meridian and standard parallel lines, at $15.. For 500 miles township exterior lines, at $12. For 2,500 miles township section lines, at $10.. $2,500 00 1,800 00 1,500 00 1,400 00 1,200 00 2,000 00 3,240 00 6,000 00 25,000 00 44, 640 00 The estimate for 216 miles meridian and standard parallel lines includes 90 miles of guide meridian through the Colville valley, and the sixth standard parallel 54 miles east from the Columbia guide meridian. The 7th standard parallel, 12 miles E. and 12 miles W., through new guide meridian, (24 m ) The Sth standard parallel, 12 miles E. and 12 miles W., through new guide meridian, (24 m.) The 9th standard parallel, 12 miles E. and 12 miles W., through new guide meridian, (24 m.) The estimates for 500 miles exterior lines and 2,500 miles of section and meander lines include 16 townships in the Colville valley, 10 townships on the Columbia river, in the vicinity of and below Priest's rapids, 6 townships on the Upper Yokama, and 4 townships on Puget sound. The extension of the sixth standard parallel 54 miles east from the Columbia guide meridian, and the projection therefrom of a guide meridian, to run north through the Colville valley, is deemed preferable to the extension of the Columbia guide meridian north through an uninhabited and almost uninhabitable country, remote from the settlements intended to be accommodated by the proposed surveys at Colville. Very respectfully, Hon. JOSEPH S. WILSON, Commissioner General Land Office. No. 18 L. SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, Helena, Montana Territory, October 26, 1867. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the surveys of Montana, together with the result of my observations and inquiries as to the agricultural and mineral portions of this Territory, agreeably to your instructions of May 9, 1867. In July last I proceeded to examine Beaver Head Rock, the point suggested by you as a suitable one for the initial point of the surveys. I took with me Professor B. F. Marsh, whom I have known for years as a scientific and skilful civil engineer, and Major W. W. De Lacy, who is a practical surveyor and engineer, thoroughly conversant with the topography of this country. Having superior instruments for the purpose, we were enabled to make accurate observations. North from Beaver Head Rock a meridian would pass, in a short distance, over the cañon of the Big Hole river, and thence, in a very few miles, over a number of very deep gulches, with precipitous sides, finally culminating about fifteen miles distant in the main range of the Rocky mountains, whose sides are broken by deep and almost impassable ravines; thence the line would continue, for about one hundred miles, over mountains wholly impracticable. |