No. 18 N.-Annual report of the surveyor general of Oregon. SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith the usual annual report and accompanying map and statements, to wit: A.-Statement of surveying contracts made under the appropriation for fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. B.-Statement of original plats of public surveys, and copies transmitted to the general and local land offices since June 30, 1868. C.-Statement of townships surveyed since June 30, 1868, with area of public lands. D.-Statement of surveying contracts made under appropriation for fiscal year ending June 30, 1870. E.-Statement of salaries paid the surveyor general and clerks during fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. F.-Statement of incidental expenses for fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. H.-Estimate for surveying and office expenses for fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. The statements and map above enumerated show the business of this office up to and including the 30th day of June, 1869. In view of the termination of Indian difficulties, I was impressed with the necessity of extending surveys as rapidly as possible in the fine valleys of southeastern Oregon, which has been proven to be one of the finest sections of country in the State; and it was fortunate that this step was taken just when it was, since settlements have already extended over most of that country. Your instructions, calling attention to the necessity of extending surveys along the line of the Oregon central military road, have been at the same time carried out to the fullest extent compatible with other interests, and redeeming promises to make up for delays occasioned by Indian difficulties, as explained in my annual report dated July 1, 1867. During last winter I had some of the marginal townships surveyed in the wood lands, by Mr. Meldrum, upon my plan of compensation, by balancing good against bad, as explained to you in a former report; and upon the same plan, with Mr. David, Í succeeded in extending surveys over very difficult grounds along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. This arrangement met a very urgent demand. It has been conceived to be the true policy of this district to press forward as rapidly as possible the principal surveys, or those covering the main valleys and largest settlements first, and then extend by marginal surveys afterward, as the advancement of settlements may require. Consequently, I took up with renewed earnestness the matter of extending the surveys over the great valley of the John Day. Here are some of the oldest unsurveyed settlements in the State, and many urgent solicitations by the settlers themselves, and also by the leading men of the State, have been made for the extension of those surveys. There is an almost unbroken settlement nearly a hundred milein length lying along the prairie bottoms of the John Day River. Some of these sets tlers are opposed to the extension of these surveys, and no doubt will avail themselves of any pretext to have it put off, because those surveys would undoubtedly curtail the extent of their possessions, a condition of affairs which was explained in my annual report dated July 20, 1866. The Dalles military road runs the length of this valley, and for its construction Congress made appropriation of lands. These lands, not being surveyed, could not be used upon the immediate construction, of course, but the expenditures of the company were made in view of ultimate compensation out of those lands when the same could be made available. In giving due consideration to your instructions I have foit it eminently incumbent upon me to procure the survey of that section of country at the earliest possible moment. Extensive settlements have been made in the Ochoco Valley, on Crooked River, and there have been urgent importunities for surveys there, both by the settlers and by the road company, which has built a road over the Cascade Mountains and through this valley. Congress has made appropriation of lands for the construction of this road, and therefore the urgent demands for surveys along the line of their road, and embracing those sections which promise the most ready return from the lands which may fall to the company. These interests and appeals have been met to the best advantage in the contract covering the Ochoco Valley. In view of the appropriations of lands which have been made by Congress for the construction of roads across the interior of the State, and the necessity of those lands being surveyed, that the purpose for which they were granted may be carried out, the estimate for surveys in this district is as little as it should be. Reasons for a more rapid extension of surveys have accumulated faster than the quantity of means have been augmented. One important reason has been the conclusion of the Indian war, and the consequent more rapid spread of settlements to the interior valleys. Another is in the action of Congress in making great appropriations of lands for the construc tion of roads. The members of these companies which have been designated as enti tled to these lands advance their means for the construction of these roads upon the faith of the government that these lands will, at as early a day as possible, be made available to them, and by means of which they may ultimately discharge their debts and compensate themselves for their outlays of time and money. That these remarks which I have made touching the subject of these appropriations may have the weight to which I deem them entitled, I consider it necessary to remark that I have no personal interest in any land grant in this State, and while I remain the incumbent of this office it is my purpose to maintain a disinterested position in regard to all these land interests. I am opposed to monopolies and land speculations; yet, when private individuals have advanced their means for great public improvements upon certain stipulations of the government, I am in favor of the strictest faith being maintained toward those parties. As a general rule, however, Congress should require lands to be sold to actual settlers not to exceed a certain price; but a discrimination in regard to the nature and condition of lands should be reached. Some lands are not suitable for homesteads or pre-emptions, being rough, timbered, or high rolling grass lands some distance from water. Such lands should be offered at public sale; and there are fractional pieces, too detached for homesteads or pre-emptions; these should also be listed and sold There are considerable quantities of such lands as these in this country, and, if some provision for their disposal could be made, it would work a public benefit, and could be managed so as to avoid either speculation or monopoly. As to the discrimination in favor of timbered lands in the per mileage for surveys, I hope it will be maintained; nor will I ask for the rates to be increased, though competent deputies cannot now be found who are willing to take contracts on the difficult grounds for the highest prices paid, upon the merit of that price alone; but currency has a tendency to come up, and may even become, as an effect of the Pacific railroad, the basis of business upon this coast; and wages and outfit have a tendency downward. By proceeding, therefore, upon the policy which I have adopted, I believe that even the worst of the work can gradually be performed. In pursuance of your instructions, under act of Congress approved December 26, 1866, appropriating lands to the Oregon Central Military Road Company as indemnity for lands previously taken up, I have located 20,112.33 acres, and shall proceed with such locations to completion as soon as I am authentically informed of the quantity required as indemnity, having officially notified said company of the necessity of furnishing the said authentic information. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. JOSEPH S. WILSON, Commissioner of General Land Office. E. L. APPLEGATE, A.-Surveying contracts made under appropriation for fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. M. ch. lk. M. chs. lks. M. chs. lks. 1,069 68 57 $14, 113 67 123 July 27, 1868 Wm. II. Odell, Wm. B. Pengra, and Jos. Gray. D. P. Thompson, B. J. John W. Meldrum 126 Feb. 5, 1869 John B. David 127 Mar. 2, 1869 Eighth standard parallel south, east from southeast cor- Exterior lines of township 7 south, range 2 east; 6 John II. McClung and Second standard parallel south, between townships 10 1:28 Mar. 17, 1869 D. P. Thompson and 11 south, through ranges 17, 16 and 15 east; also Exterior and subdivisional lines of township 3 north, ranges 24 and 25 east; and subdivisional lines of north half of township 1 north, range 21 east. 6 00 00 225 28 21 Contract closed, account B.-Statement of original plats of public surveys, and copies transmitted since June 30, 1868. 123 July 27, 1868 Odell, Gray & Pengra.. 8th standard par allel south. Do Do Do 4th standard par allel south. Exteriors Do Do Do 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 south. 36, 37, 38, and 39 south 36, 37, and 38 south.. 36 south Between 20 and 21 south 21, 22, and 23 south. 24, 25, and 26 south. 21, 22, and 23 south. 23 and 24 south. 24, 25, and 26 south. 25 and 26 south 38 and 39 south 39 south 7 south. 20 and 21 east and 20 east. 18 east 19 east 20 cast 5 east 2 east.. 5 east.. 3 and 4 east 3 east C.-Townships surveyed since June 30, 1868, with area of public lands. Description. 389 Number. Townships. 3 east. 22 south 3 cast. 5 23 south. 3 east. 3 east.. 4 east. 4 east. 12, 715, 55 9 4 south. 5 east. 13, 201, 23 7 east. 23, 077. 10 7 cast. 11, 196, 10 3, 186. 19 8 east. 20, 600.84 13 25 south 8 east. 23, 032. 21 14 26 south. 8 east. 15 23 south. 9 east. 24 south 9 east. 21 south. 10 east. 22 south. 10 east. 11,524. 25 23, 003. 12 23, 029.74 22,952, 61 22,879. 43 23 south. 10 east. 22, 783, 24 39 south. 11 east. 22, 011, 67 39 south. 12 east. 16, 262.03 38 south. 13 east. 23, 046. 74 39 south. 13 east. 38 south. 14 east. 39 south. 14 east. 38 south. 15 east. 15 east.. 18 east. 19 east. 17, 593, 60 19, 841.98 Odell, Gray, and Pengra. |