Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 4, Ed. 1, Wednesday, December 16, 1840 Page: 2 of 4
four pages: b&w; illus; page 24 x 36 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
rS5a- f&jsJM
&&?. ?- v-3Bn'i
J
s
Tf
- &
-i l -PS'tlsSk- '1
j.
V
i C-V'T'-1
R
fef;
IX
IV
Ua.
counties;of IIa:ri4'Gal1vesloii,nnd F.drfiBerid, with nn ac
compafijnngMllto'benlurSiatict. to incorporate the
' HarrkburxRallHiDaKarTdlaammrrany ; read 1st
-time"; Mr. EmternfrcducM aTesolujicm requiring the
st-JIdstrrGnemftotransmitirTlis:Rccountsmatrre-
" main unsettled -gfor vcant'of authority underahe lavvsal-
readycnactetf, read IsLtime; ihecommunicatipn,from
biisexcellencyhe President nnd accompanying dpcti-
, men ts frorri the Joan .Cam missioned were Tead'and.referred
"to the cotnrnhteeon finance1; thqcojnmunicalion from the
-act. secrctary-of the Treasury,.and"acconipanying docu-
ments of Gen. 'Memican Huntr'vvere read, and referred to
aspecial committee; a joint resolution extending the time
for collecting taxes,(as passed the house) was read a third
time and passed," On motion'thc senate adjourned till 3
O ClOCK. a
- - ' "- ' . '3 o'clock, p. m.
The'senate met air." Dihgerfield introduced an act
as to the payment of taxes in thefronUer counties; rend
'1st time. An'act to abolish the salarff s of District At-
torneys, wasTeadlst time and reported to ihe committee
-nn riinfnitirUrv. A WllVntiiled'an act to provide for the
election o'f "Chief 'Justices ani Sheriffs, was read and or
dered to lay on the table; a bill to be entitle! an act tor
.the relief of certain heirs, was read a 3d timoandTpassed.
Sundry bills having been read and referred.fo committees,
the senate adjourned till to morrow JO o'clock.
"""""n
Friday, Dec. 44. 1810.
The senate met. nuTsuairt to ndiournment The cdm-
mittee on the judiciaryfto'wYnnr vra referred a bill to be
cntitlod an act concerning: the powers of chief justices of
the county courts, reportedilho same back- wall, amend
, ments, an 1 recommended its passage. The committee on
public lands reported'unfavorably on thppetition;orWrn
S. Jackson also on the petition "of CullenAVv Spircey.
A joint resolution granting further time for'epayinent
of government dues and field notes, as amwided'by" the
ho'isp, was concurred in. The communication of the At-
torney General war read-anl icferred to a special com-
mittee On motion the fenito adjourned till to morrow
.10 o'clock
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
.I'litin, Y dnaday, J)tr 2,1840
The house mnt p irviiut to .vdjotirnimnt, i quorum
'being present Mr Willi nnoi introdjcr-d .1 joint resolu-
tion to repeal s.o much of an act calillid .in act compen-
sating officers of the ciyil lis'ppassed anliipproyed'on the
.9th Dae 1836, as reljilfsFp"- chiifjusticof the repub-
- lie The rule beingsaspinded, it nssefl the ..house.
Tha resolution was "rcpoVted to the-s-mteT an J returned to
-the house as in.lefinitelTi'iainoneI by "tlut.body .Mr.
Smith ol Brarari t, prps-jntrilip. nMltSmfttVio-BxijrJiartt.j
Tate i reasareiVpr.iyjfigcpngri'B? ior me appointment oi a
committte to oxjmine, certain ilo;mitnisind proofs-he
has to bring in iiisd.ef,ncjiun lvmtfteative-of accusations
'brouff'it against hiinTfor violation offlffiJIafdaiesYwhrch
was referred toa-snlect conmittc. Consistin'r.oLMessrs.
Smith ofBrazirhAColes. jn.essrHoustoruftJohnsr
.Menifee, anl B-dl: Sjo9ry petitions were introduced;."
praying ior reuei, wnrcn.wje.Cierre tonujs appjupniae
-committecs-Miv Titiar mt)duce,d,a 'resolution to re-
quire the secretary ef-stJo..jfinTO-tnY'JioiJe wnaJ pro-
gresses beerTm'irf Ifijy, inr.hc publitjffoii'JBf the laws
in llie.CasnliwJanViiifrefeadilTrsttirne. Mr. Hill, in-
-J J . 111 ir.T ..- -.t.5,- - iT.rn-l.lJ- . .
irujuci-u u mil in iu:u
'first time
-nnn!iin
oasis oi retrencajflmi.ifdthyiejigartmentsana-orancn--
es of thf.o vernufn:. aui'&inccess'iry. expense incurred
in-suppor tjng tHeJraeTpTeilutjpnidopted;A joint reso-
rlutionfor the7reltftfu)(tfieIyVTeadTnlesuspendedl
read.a-thTrd timaVan'Lpissr'VtblN concjningthe writ
of seq-ieralioh wjsjip motioh tflr.-3VilJiagisqri,refer--fed
to a's?lencaJMftltea Qn .noiionlse'Jiouseadjbnrned
-liH3o'clockqfrii?'"-r &( &f?'t-'rm'
-The house met-Mr.!,WTltiam3on wtro luced a resolu-
-rr. ,. - . ..VFrvt.. iij-.s. .- j--r,-p --- ,
-tion for theSpjioinimentjo'rt committee1 to.enquire into tre
corigress.and
.UllIUUlll'UUS
lat-vvrntrates otmtin!r-C3S.been baioUfor resolatoin
ygoTtflDffhb' orgafi'tzl VffSk ttC-tgerlyXcounty.-forjiid
-cial purposes vvasjaken upland, onmqtionvqtiUrt -van
Ness, vyas laid on TfiellaIe tmtjLcailed jupgAjSiUto or-.
'gariTze-theTcounties of Colorad'oridMatag6xJapr judi--cial
purposes,.vasalsp5lafd-oB ifio'tebje A-jointTesoIu-tionappropriating,8j.)M4o'defrjhTontIngeirtespen-
uxongress, wrasa.iirunjsu5peuueu,jeau.ou umcauu
passsd nijiiavjm.wrjnoineysfat,niv-to rnie appeal
"time J
Pljt;
senate fad 'passH3lPoolntSeoIution fo&flt&fj&hf ofr the
clerTiruirfiRing.li.T'ttlfi-w'usP AbilHiorJtUeiJgula-
TPCPll
Thomas Introdncftl ibillj-fo, nmerTlf"rini..TcL entitkll
an act to raise.a pu3iic.r.veiry!ioy(jm'ci.-iusaiiuii,
approved Jantll849 bjirtcjppea'lsomch.of an act
'approved FeKjs'th.ilSlorto piiab!eihtt'Sirvyors of the
-several counlie?,-tb make outan.I rtturnorrpct rpaps of
Uhe same, was reaajgahi ton ipatjoiol'AJ.ijortcr, was
inade the order olNhetdiy fo;"JlimJiy.-ni.xt On
motion, the hous3aiijaurri3d.ittl.ta'morrov.y o'clock.
, " rJ.:itTJRsnA!Y' Dec," 3d,"-J 8o:
The house met pursuant to adjournment tiquorjim
being present, the fo'laTvlo'peiitibns 'wejp ( presented
PetiUon of W- W. BellRftftron of sundry citizehs"pf
'Red River county, praying congress. to af Uj.v. arnan of
color named WiKy, to rcmiin in tho repijblic Petitions
of sundry citizens of liarVls co mtv, praying congress to
pass an act allowing them to (stihlislni library in,the city
of Houston Petition of Wm F. Wilson Petition re-
lating to the Carancuha lodians Petition o; sundry citi-
icnaaf tho eastern section of Red River-ipunty, prayuig
for a division of said county, allof wluwvcrc referred to
their respective committees A majority of the committee
on the state of the republic, to whom was refeired, a bill
-to provide for taking the census of the inhabitants of the
-republic, reported that they were o'f the opinion jhat' a
greater injury would result til "the public than advan-
tage, and therefore deem it impolitic to pass said bill
Messrs Hilling and May field, a minority of the commit-
ftee, made a counter report, and recommended the passage
of the bill; and on motion, was made.the,special order of
the day' for Monday next the committee orCrdaims nnd
accounts, reported unfavorable on the petition of "Willis
Roberts; report adopted Mr. Lann introduced n bill to
incorporate Fur and Trading companies ofthe"Rio Gran-
de; read first time Mr. Harrison introduced a resolu-
tion to appoint a select committee of the house, to act with
a like committee on the part of the renate, to enquire into
the propriety of a war with Mexico, andthebest mode of
.warfare against either Mexico or the Indians;, resolution
adopted Mr. Roily introduced a bill declaring Sam Hous-
ton Duckworth legitimate; read first lime a biltaulhori-
zing and requiring the Commissioner General of tho land
office to commence the issuing of patents, and for other
purposes, was taken up, sundry amendments made, and
on motion, was made-the special order for Tuesday nexLj
JWr. ttlUKniSon lnirouuceu a oui oi general lucurporniigu
31 religious societies j icau. nri time aont nppropria-
julMrtllfire in nnrrif infn pftpit llin n-rtv?tAne nf nn
actto sectiomze"and-seli the lands formeily reserved and
occupied by the Cherokee Ineians &c, wes taken Up, and
on motionwas made the special order of tho day for to-
morrowa bill Jbr the relief of J. F. Delome, was revid
tnjri time and passed a joint resolution for closidf?
-.arts of justice for three years, was on motion, indefi-
nitely postponed Mr. Porter introduced a resolution in-
structing the committee.on finance to inquire into the ex-
pediency of amending the direct tax law, by providing
that tho assessment of the direct tax, shall in all cases be
maderby residenrfrecholdera of the county, and also to re-
eo'inur? Tjav Bin hi io pay ineir
-.shipping, waJroaJjlnTEl junc-inrl-'pd 5t6ill'4bt:lb6
Telicf' of Mr- DoiuhTgvajenaVrfirsra
field introducplaijurnyresMmroiir jl;ctljrfn?ourts of
justice barred, blocle.lclosgjiinst.xlju'ioTlprosccit-'
tions, except cnmm"i(.tiial,J,ioV BWCTJavjrjnnj;' was read
first time Mj.ly'lntTrmdhrtilytoTncreaso thq
bondol the Sh'tfriffof H'lrlfis'coirrvgrt'lirst'tirner AIt.,
taxes for theyear 1S39, & 40, and the means of forcing
the,paymcnt of such unpaid taxes; adopted.
' On motion'thc house adjonrned till to-morrow 9 o'clock.
. REPORT OF THE COAIMISSIONER GENERAL
X' - OF THE LAND OFFICE.
General Land Office
-I
October 17, 1840.
- His Excellency Mirabeau B. Lamar,
" Preiidenl of ihe Rcpubul of Texas
Sir--1' hive the honor herewithlo submit my report,
as the head of this Department, for the consideration ol
your Excellency, and'lhat of the honorable Congress;
but 1 regret to lnlorm yon that so far as regards the issu
ins: of paienls lo lands for hcad-risrht claims, an event
which the citizens' of Texas have lonff been anxiously
waitinorfor. notnins- has been done in this office, and I
fear but little ofa permanent nature has been effected by
the etamininsi Uommiisioners towards the consummation
of thit object, as contemplated by the act of Congress, en-
titled an act ' to detect fraudulent land certificates, and to
provide for issuin-r patenls to Ieml claimants" Indeed,
it appears from the fact of the examining Commissioners
'east of the Brazos" not making any report of their pro
ceedings to this office, that they were determined mat no
patents should issue upon claims examined by tnem.anu
that they weie satisfied of the inutility of their libor, inas
much as their decision was not final, that it was impos
sible from the data before them to judge with any certain
ty of the validity of many certificates, and finally thu to
carry into effect thc full intent of the law, under which
they were actinr. would be to denrive indfyiduals of rights
"previously acquired under the Constitution and laws of
this Kepuhlic.
By comparing thp reports nude by the examining Gim
missioners "west of the Brazos," with the returns made
by the clerks to the respective boards of land commission,
I find that a considerable number of claims have been ic-
iected by the former, and not more than one lull of the
first class recommended for patents. From the county' of
Brazoria they have thought nroner to recommend all of
the first class, (pxcept a few,) as just and genuine claims
against me uovernmem, uut.nonc ior patents ine ex-
uminmg Commissioners have, also, made qualified orcon-
ditional recommendations from Milam, Austin, Colorado,
Fayette and Goliad "Counties, believing that the claimants
had not coinplied.strictly with every formality of the laws,
and that they, (the Commissioners,) by their official oaths,
though satisfied of the genuineness of the certificates,
could not recommed them unqualified for patents Thus,
it is evident, that one of the main objects of the law, under
which they were governed, has been defeated by the in
consistency in thu first and second sectionsr.by.the.ejfa.
y-iTj i. i.iw. .-.-troTTpidfieu by saia Uoinmissioneri upon
a particular clause of thcoath as laid down in the law.
Statement A-shows more fully the result of the examina-
tion as made in ihe vves'tern counties, as, also, the proba-
ble number of patents which might have been issued In
conformity thereto, had your Excellency deemed it expe-
dient to have commenced the work. Without attempting
to'dfetate to the honorable Congress the plan of a law up-
on a subject of so much importance to the interest of the
country as the one novv.under consideration, I would res-'pectfnlly-suggest
the propriety of passing a law which"
- should discriminate or point out, what certificates from
i each board or county 'should be patented, not bcingsubject
to be litigated, and, also, what ones should be subject to
"individual contest by re-location of the same land by vir-
tue of "valid certificates This law should, also, specify.
the'manner in which every doublfulsclaim should be-re-r
located, as well as the time to be allowed after the first
-survoy, so that if the land held by such claimbe not te-lo-
cafed wiihin'tho time prescribed, the patent should issue
to.the party first locating"; but should his right be contest-
jju oy imoirieiv men tno patent snoum do issued to mm, me
najyTe-locatinff. unless a writ of iniunction be filed with
in a'riven time by the 'first locator, nreventimrthelssuinsr
of the patent until the validity of eachwe?o decided by the
comoctent tribunal.
The basis of this enactmenMVl's?.
.rnredicated unon the result of thB-ftv.ntnmatTons now nin'Sti'
and trom other dataawole m this XJepartment, anctuwT
spejifiaUTOirtoMcni county so estimated as to include!!.
- 'genuine claims, even though in so doing, some spurious
ones should be patented
Statement B shows the whole'number o ffirst class land
certificates recorded up to the 17th instant, to be ten thou-
sand nine hundred and sixty-four, amounting to seven
thousand two hundred and eighteen leagues; the whole
'number of second clas3 head-rights recorded as above, to
be four thousand eight hundred anH thirty-seven, amount-
r ing to four millions nine hundred and 'twenty-three thou-
sand three hundred and thirty-three acres; and, also, that
ithc wholifnurhber of third class" head-rights, or certificates
issued in accordance vvith the act extending donations of
. lariq".io lafo emigrants, now recorded, to be seven thousand
rsix'hundred and thirty-nine, -amounting to three millions
forty acres But few.returns of either class of certificates
are cTue from the respective clerks to the board of land
commissioners, so thatthc accompanying statement may be
'considered, at comprehending the whole of the head right
- claims against the Government, a largo portion of which
has "been already .located. I would here suggest the prc-
"priety of some enactment establishing!! tribunal before
S. whom all those who have o' lained conditional head rights
oftt&e.second class, under the 29th section of the general
j land law, might prove- tho fact of their having remained
in the country, and complied with the conditions required
bysjid-sectlon. This law might, also, authorize the issu-
ing of certificates to those who have not yet procured their
, 640 or 320 acres, as a donation, to 'which they are enti-
tled,!)' the act of the 4:h January, 1839. It woul 1, also,
jsecm just that some .way should be provided by which a
Yew who ore entitled to first class .head-rights, or second
class unconditional, could obtain certificates therefor; and
as the principal evidence upon which most of thesi claims
would issue, is on file in the"War Department, I would
suggest .that the authority to grant'the simr, be vested in
one or more individuals at the seat of G&vernmcnt.
Statement' B further shows the whole number of field
notes or surveys for first class head-righls recorded up to
the 17tk inst, to be two thousand.-amounting (by estimate)
to one thousand nnd seven leagues; the whole number of
SeCOnu CJJS5 eulvevs, iu uc mice uuuuicu nun iiiuciy,
amounting (by estimate)' to three hundred and eighty
thousand six hundred and eighty-seven acres; the whole
nnmber ot third class surveys, to be one hundred and
twenty amounting (by estimate) to forty-nine thousand
four hundred, "and ninety seven acres; the whole number
of surveys-upon land-warrants and donation land, to be
eio-ht hundred and thirty sever!, amounting (by estimate)
to five hundred and seventy-nine thousand and hundred
and twenty-three acres; and tho whole number of sur-
veys upon land scrip, to be two hundred and forty, amount
ing (by estimate) to one, hundred and forty-eight thousand
'three bundred.'ond five acres. For seventy-one of the
sorveys byvirtue of land warrants and donation land, pa-
tents have been prepared, and are now in readiness lor
thft signature of your Excellency: a much greater num
ber could navo oeen prepareu uau ine necessary county
map been filed, a reference to which seemed indispensa-
ble, in order to guard against conflict, aid.the prejudice
of rights previouslyacquiriu by survey ol the same land.
The different constructions placed by the county surrey-
orupon the ordinances and acts relating to bounty land or
land warran's have occasioned some irregularity as to
the frontollhcsurveys made under the:n. The act amen-
ding an ordinance granting bounties of land lo volunteers,
leaving it optional with the party holding the certificate,
whether lo have his survey made in a square form, or on-
ly to front one-half of the square upon "navigable water-
courses;" and while on the subject of making surveys
under the several varieties of claims, I cannot, cons'stcnt
with a sense of duty, refrain from recommending again
(though it be a third lime,) the establishing another bu-
reau to this office, the chief officer of vvhich, should bo
styled the survcyor-generul. whose duty it should be to
examine all field notes before ihcy we're inserted in the
patents he should intruct the several county surveyors
from lime to time should Invo the general superintend-
ance of whatever relates to the surveying of all kinds of
claims, and, moreover, should be his special duly to make
orcausp to bo made connected maps of each county in the
HepiKkj for I am wid! assured that the present laws up-
on th-rTbj'ct are wholly inadequate to the accomplish-
mrnf nf lliis Inct lliniln-li nnf Innsl tmnnrlnnt r.liipfl bow-
" ."--, o .....w j. j
cer, should the honorable Congress deem this arrange-
ment too expensive, and not in harmony with their ideas
oi retrenchment and reform, I would still insist upon the
necessity of allowing a draftsman' for this office, who
would afford great facility in the construction of county
maps, and which he would be enabled to make, as ditach-
ed plats of surveys were received from time to time from
the county surveyors, and, who, when not otherwise en-
gaged, would find sufficient employment in examining
and comparing the maps already filed in this office. Im-
mediately connected with this subject, is the evident ne-
cessity of compelling the return to thK office, of field notes
of surveys now lying, by scores, in the offices of the sever-
al county surveyors, many of which have been ready for
delivery since the first January, 1839. The act of last
Congress, entitled "an act to provide for the return of sur-
veys," &c, and which was intended to compel the return
of such surveys, has not yet had the desired effect, a proof
ot which will be seen by reterencetn the increase in num-
ber of surveys filed and recorded since last year, as herein
specified. One cause of this is the few. surveys which
could be made since the first of May, 1840, in consequence
ot the act "to prohibit the location of fiadulent land certi
ficates," which has operated greatly to the.prejiidice of
many just anu legal claims, as it required all certificates,
even of the third class, to be examined before they coJd
located; this., honevei, was only in accordance with one
of the most inconsiderate and hum isc "provisions of the act
'to dttect fraudulent land crttificates. ' - ""
Thcacttn comppl all govprnmenlnfficrrs to receive the
promissory notes, has provyitid dtpiiij'.survryors" Horn
going into the field; foe ln.iff lopiv .'issi'iants in. prom-
issory notes at a discount, t1.y "uoulJi-bn losinjp instead
of making money, by every' survey I would, lUfifiotp,
rccommenl in JhcmbstMibsfiitfijaiul miiquivocal ttrms,
that the act Ijst.rtfcrreo' to and the.act '-to prohibit the lo-
cation of fraudulent lanlcprtificates"ibtrcpiale(l" Aside
fiftt section of the act ' to prov i le for the.rr Uzi odsjiiaysjl''
&c rendcrVniiithaTJl -. old" ninh'eewwhIiaTt iiol-b'n a'
been returned to the general Jand offue within a specified,
time, and as sai J act Ins twuhin a snott tune only, been
published in phamplel form, it would seun just and right
that an exlension.of time be allovved by Congress, more
particularly as some-of ihe pa nits in:eTptnl have been
waiting to know the fate of then cl-n'ms, as di tennim d by
the Piaiuining commissioners befdre they W(nt to any
further expense or truuble: In extending the time, how-
ever, I would recommend tint soma definite mode of ma-
king re locations should hn pointed out in the law: other
wise, many claims would be n -loralrtl upon the bare j?rc-
sumplion tint ihe time within which the firsfstfj-vo) 'hoiild
bn. rpturncd It ft! e'xplred.lhp party wishing .to re-locate,
not being bound to produce any proof of such fact to the
deputy surveyor.
The preference of location specified in ihe 17th SPdion
of the general land law of December, 1837. appears to me
at this timp unjust, or at least inexpedient, inasmuch as it
has a tendency to prevent late emigrants from settling
urion vacant land, by allowing the holder ofa fiist class
"certificate to locate and survey .the same lands including
their improvements, a right vvhich is secured to him at
present by the law. And by reference-to the" 6th scclion
of the act providing for the return of surVeys,-.it appears
that the deputy surveyor his no otherMilternative,.no dis-
cretionary power; he raiist survey tlfc land. pointer out,
or, refusing, incur the penalty ofdamages sustained .-by
jhe party presenting the certificate.- k stricticompliance
with the statute in ccnncction.with theprelerence above
alluded to, must operate, in my opinion,, greatly to the
incjii'Jiuu.ui me uuuesi uccupam. " .
In accordance with the appointment,, and Instructions
from your Excellency, Mr. S C. Wiltse.proceeded to run
the we-tejn line of this (Travis) county, and whicdijie,
completed on the 16th May last, as indicated in report
to this ofhcc..;Having ihp utmo!U-'-J-rf,ripnce in nis sicin
as a surveyor, and his jr-rucify, 1 immediately approves.
his-0--(rnfJ'ot- doing the vvork, not.suspecting that.nnyl:
.aoiu ueen coinmiupu; since wmen time i nave gooa
1 1 W. V -. . n-
' . i KnlirtUft Ihnl di. . ... lettn l .. i n.lnlllndnn .... ...
FTmnn' hr did notrnn far enono-h nn thp Colorado Riv-
i OI .-- D -r .
'&T trldetermine the south-west boundary of Milam's colony,
which would render the balance of-th-wodt- incm-ect-
thus leaving a large amount of land now surveyed by au-
thority from Bastrop county vvhich isubject lo re-survey
under locations made by authority from Bexar county.
- Under the act of congress passed at the last session en-
titled an act to sectionize and sell ihe land formerly re-
served for nnd occupied by the Cherokee Indians, nothing
has been done, inasmuch as no monpj was appropriated
to pay for surveying said land, or for carrying into effect
the first, reauisition of said law What number of loca
tions and surveys have been made upon headrighls or oth
er claims, within that territory since the passage of thf:
law, I am unable to state; bin, as no field-notes have bee
presented for record, I conclude that little or no.su rveyi'g
has been done in that section. - , '
Patents for two hundred and eighty-four'G.ilvestonots
sold by the government, have been issued, which I fjid to
besituated principally-in sPCtjonsNos. l,"5-and 3,cmg
not more than ne half of the whole number as liiut in
the survey. And, as a part remains yet-'unsold,pr dis
posed of by the government, locations under lad sciip
have been made by individuals, though in my opinan, con-
trary to the intention of the act, to dispose, of Galvyton and
other islands, and even inconsistent with the predsions of
the general land law. For further informal' on this
subjict, relative lo the foifeiture of these lots, sd number
remaining unsold re tort nee may oe nau to ir. ijamj
Department. Patents have also been issued P thirty-seven
Austin city lots in accordance with the jcvt resolution
for the relief of certain pprsons then-in n-ji'd, and- ihe
joint resolution for the suney and sale oftlAuslfn town
tract. i
The amount of translating done by ihjTransIaioi to
this office is not so great as was contemp'ted; a reason
for which may be found in his notbeingallowed,-by the
law.an assistant or clerk, to compare hisCanslalionj, after
which m record the.same as the law dcls See docu-
ment C, herewith submitted J -Under K act, making ap-
propriations for the support of gmernent foribe year
I840,no salarry was allowed the Trnrjtor, but a particu-
lar sum being specified, as an appioption for translation
of documents &c , ihe Commissipcr. of the General
Land Office (as well as tho Hon Sretary of the Treas-
ury.) conceived that tl.a-G-Sd-aftd-Ews-tc-gin-eral
land law. ereaiing the office ojWinslatpr, were vir-
tually repealed; an-l.thatthe law of ist Congress evident-
ly intended that all translations eyc-ited for this office,
should bo made under special con'-'ct with the Commis-
sioner General. The sum appealed for this purpose
being exhausted, or nearly so, bthc 4th of July last, no
translating has been done sine thit date. The Impor-
tance, howpvtfr, of having a copctuit translator c nne-t
rd with this cflicc mu.-t be so Jpi'art r.t to all, that I trust
Congress will closely examinthe laws now in force on
that subject, and malie such .'nendments thereto ns will
enable ihe incumbent to pro'ed with all due facility to
discharge the dulirs, for thb'st initrrst of the govern-
ment, as well as for the contn:cnce of individuals
All vvhich is rrspeclfnllsubmiltcd by
YourEscelle'cv's ob't servant.
'JOHN P. BORDEN,
Cornissioner Gen. Laud Office.
DodlMENT B "
Sho.ving ihenumberar amount of Certificates of each
cla:s of head-rights turned and recorded: also the
number and amountf Surveys of each class of claims
now rtcorded,&c. .
Firsl'lass Certificates. -Number,
.,-"". - .- 10,964.
Amount in leagues ' recorded, - 7,218
Number recordedis date last-year: - 10,163
Amount in leagu recorded thu date last year, 6,646
Sond Class Certificate.
Number, . 4i837
Amount in acr now recorded, - 4,923,333
Nnmber rccoed this date last year, - 3 073
Amount in o'es recorded this date last year, 3,106,783
7 Third Class Certificates
Act Jan. 4, 1839.
Numbci -.-- 7,639
Amoni'i ncres now recorded, - 3,336,210
Nuir3y recorded this date last year, 1,061
Amount in acres recorded this date last year, 4G5.6S01
Note Returns of 485 Certificates fro"m Shelby coun-
ty, amounting to 4 83i Leagues have been received? bin
not yet Tccorded. ,
REPORT OF THE COMMISSAR YGENERAL,
G'OMJIISSARV GhNVs DEPARTMENTj
Austin, October 1st, 1840.-
lolhe Hon Branch T. Arcjier,
Secretary of War:
Sir In conformity with instructions, I herewith trans-
mit the usual report of the bureau over which I have the
honor to preside.
From the 25th of October, 1839, to the fust'. ,,
quarter, commencing on the 1st January, ?
nnd for the first, second and third quarters, rf ,
ending on 30th September, 1840. - sTjr
Amount of expenduures from the25thofOct'r,
1839, to 1st quarter, commencing Janua-
ry 1st, - - - " - 5,805 66
Amount of expenditures for the subsistence of .
thearmyin lstquarter ending March 31st, "11,003 93
Amount of expenditures for the subsistence
of the army in the 2d quarter, ending-June
i 30th, - - - 71,371 67
"Amount of expenditures for the subsistence
. -of the army in the 3d quarter, ending Sep-
-' te'mbrrOth. - - - - - 78,319 3G
-.
k. Y-K
' iS- - 8I9(H4D7. 62J
Fiomlhis amount of oneljundred and 'r?Vf
- nim ly six thousand, funrhundjp ami nir)ffy
seven dollars and sixty-lwovcents, thrre
should'bpuednited tweniyj-nine'thousand five '
t hundred and righty-fivcdolIars-this amount
haviqg been hypothecated byme with Messrs
Peters i& Millard, ilj iNew ,0(leansfor the
payment oftheir bill for four thbusand seven
'Henis, "par funds due on the 10th December
next. S29 585 00
Also six thousand dollars, deposited in the '
hands of Mpssrs Bryan, Austin &. Co ofN. , JL ,
Orleans, for the payment of freight, premium i
, of insurance and othencharges, .6000,00 35,585 00
S160.9I2 62
Leaving the amount of disbursements by this elf part
ment in the promissory notes of the government fo?the'
subsistence of regular anl volunteer force from the Sotb'
O:toborr 1839, to the lsl Octoberj 1840, one hundred and
sixty thousand nine hundred and twelve dollars and sixty-
twocents. ' -
This amount is much larger than it otherwise would.
have been in consequence of the loss of the supplies.pur-J
cnaseu oy me in new urieans in june last; ana .snipped
on boird the schooner Yew Tree.bound.lo .LinnVilIe.
which vessel was wrecked sixteen miles below Pass Ca-'
-vallo, and cargo sold for the benefit of the underwriters,
, which threw me on this market for necessary supplies'for
Mhssubsistcnce of the army, Including the-additIonaLex-"
, pense of transportation vr - ,
S-Althougli-the same requisition was immediately .order-
edto bejBIIed.on informationeachl&g this department of
r the loss sustained, yet I am notfn possession of supplies'
ordered, in consequence of the delay in collecting the in-
surance, the agent being-absi nt from the city.
By jid vices received -from. New Orfeans ofthe25di'
September, the amount has been recovered fronr the un-
derwriters, lrsr some eight hundred dollars, which bal-
ance will undoubtedly be collected, and I am happy to
have the honor of informing thn,denajtment ibat-I-mJ
in no1-"" ' "-ui aujijjii, wnicn are now on ine
road for the subsislence of one thousand men for six months,
with the exception of Heef, Pork, Peas or Beans, and
Brpfid stuffs, all of vvhich I purchased in this country.
I would most earnestly recommend for your consider-
ation (he appointment of sutlers to our srmyfthere being
.many articles required by the sol Jier for his comfortand
convenience which are not furnished by-the regulations;
when by the appointment Ofsnijable persons forthat duty,
-tljey wouldjiave theopparjnnTiy oCsuppl3'ing'l&erase"lvesr
nncrane-samtITlre,4pro,'urryvV,J' .jraF- u iUvjj.
Am'll rttYia trmr inknrann nm ttiai 4mn rr. -iVlnrivm-
isquanilered ancl filched from them In the'grog-si. J r jS
af many hours.
I would respectfully begleaVe to call your attention to
;the necessity of an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars
1 being made by Congress for the amount already expended
by me from the subsistence appropriation for supplies fur
nished by this department to the volunteers, and the proba-
Die amount, yet uuc, as me amount turmsnea remains
charged, against me, no appropriation having been made
by Congress.
' In conclusion, 1 would most respectfully recommend
an additional. appropriation 'of nine hundred dollars, par
funds, or its equivalent in th'e promissory notes of the gov-
ernment, to meet a'' contract" already made by me, to in-
crease the Coinmissaryitore-house, which I found absolu-
tely necessary for the protection of public stores; alLof
vvhich I beg leave, most respectfully to submit.
With great rpspect, I have Ihe honor to be,
&f" Your" obedient servant,
WILLIAM L. CAZNEAU,
Commissary-General of Subsistence.
Conrenicnce ofa seat of government 30 miles beyond
the frontier. By a great exnditure of monpy on the
part of government, wenre,able at this place to hear from
Austin by mail in three or four days; but on no other route
is tho sune speed obtained, and lo m3ny parts of ihe coun-
try Intelligence from Austin js almost as rare as news from
the moon This evil, with the thousand others resulting
from the present Tocition of the Capital, is making itself
felt, and those representatives who are afrail lo trust the
settlement of this question to the votes of the people, and
- distrust their decision, will soon find thit the people afe'1
afraid to trust their rights to them, and distrust their hon-
esty. The following remarks from the-San Augustine
Journal we take pleasure in transferingto our columns : J
, morning diar. x1
'We have received no news from the city.of Austin,
- since the sitting of the present Congress; it has been in
session now for nearly two weeks, and owing to flie. diffi-
culties attendant upon mail communication, between this
. nn 1 the nrpfrintspatot government, we cannot receive in
telligence from there in so short a period as we were wont
to receive it, at similar distances, whilst citizens of the
States Oar over-wise and sapient government, have re-
moved it so fir beyond the bounds of civilization, and we
h.id almost said the borders of Texas: thatall communi
i.
cations between itand theinhabited portionsofthecountiyyLrr. "
are cut almost entirely off; this state of affairs will prVpv,sc a
vent us from laying the proceedings of our congress be-
fore our readprsso soon as we would wish; another and
crying evil attendantupon this unwise and in fjcfci unjust
location is the difficulty of proceeding towTards the'collec
tion ot taxes and make the necessary returns"within the
time, prescribed by law? we hope these grievances willb-
.-remedied by the present congress, in order tlut justice
maybe 'done to ihe whole country, and not keeping it
where il is, to favor a feto designing peculators, who are
now and have been fattening upon the outraged rights of
a virtuous people; it is to be hoped tint they will assrt
their sense of justice, and their willingness lo forward it,
and remove the seat of government near the centre of pop-
ulation, in order to insure tho advantages of communica-
calion to all."
Let the archives be removed to the city of Houston ;
' three fourths of the people of Texas would acquiesce and
rejoice in a removal of this kind and tho present genera-
tion will reward the effort by their fervent and honpst
approbation, an 1 will, hereafter repose the utmost confi-
dence in their future political careers
From the Morning Star,
Mr. Editor: From nn article in your paperof the 1st
ult (kindly f irwarded to me ! y Mr. W. Clark,) under the
head Texian Tobacco, it appears thai Mr. Do Roll would
have a supply of my manufactory. I am bound to state,
that I have not brought any of my segars into the-marku
yet, save whit have been sold at our store at Industry
If Mr. De Roll bought segars under my fiim, he has been
in a very unfair manner imposed upoiby some iodfvi
duals living around this place, who raised the Brazil and
Maryland or Turkish Tobacco nnd worked it up fresi
onjljn some instaniof -properly cnrea'n'ririold.'uris
---r " . ir-rr.r- " " KnwimHLXii
?H
itnrc nf Ihpctfi'nnnprfl Vrior,r-,rt ... H..,.rti'I sr., "l
, '-: ,. r-r- - se't'-i "j ""lj l staip.-inatjni
looacco pi inis-yparssfcffthi9.thtWear&;iT,Ai
t rrG-. - . . . " . -" TV?'
gars have been exportedlndcr thennmp nf thP J,.t ,.. 1
imnncflrt .
Texas, it would spoil on reputation in-fcs Infancy. Therl
are hovyevpr good mele fegaftof finoflavor, but cannotii
stand comparison with myprottion, as Tarn the only-
onp. who rnispn ihp rpnl I.nS. irtl , J
editors of the Houston ltIeg:aphhd Austin Gazette
would bestow a great favorpn rae by givineffiCfeftrwR-
IMOV.,.,WW. . , TiJ to.
-v- fii..
Induslrje-rSnTifiri . t tV
Jr' . J
THE TELiE6.RiPH-
v
Iffomtons We(fijesdjiy,rpec.jL&r LS-fO..
MEXico.V,oTrcn;b1gtTiA"bsU'n"CiTyae
nnd
.i2 nnei,-mai mo edrtflrs.onjiKcjnpeis arede-.
s of geAm? Jir QiiQlh3Lik5xttT,rJJ&iiil&5&
si robs
iU2flfltheigTro7
When infict Mexico was nRrprmfironni.fTSwV
than at this limp. She has only 4.000 troops'to, protect
her capital, -aba only 'iOLTor 1,500 undertrisia'on lhe"j
Hio-Grande. It M?,bs regretted -that AnstirfiAp near-
the frontier that its citizens, and u6iTiijdne
journals, should be thus influenced by evpry idle' jljIca.
lous"rumor that comes frbm the Rio GrJnd?. JThwe'con"
ternptible rumors generally originale from ignoraiici or.-
cupility, anl ihfir 'publication never does bVnefiroilon"
the contrary often do ereal In! ,rvnhrrn,h . li'..?.
. ., J ' ""v- e-S,-H,jP0ne '-
masianinrniic intelligence, the whole force under WQ
utur mier, is oniyouu, and a force of.ibout
m.
saupnetlnear or at Saltillo. It f3 ai ridfcilou.
'&?-
poserthis hindfilll of noltronna .rilfo,.,lP
Appose that The Semjno1e3jiuind ?ofTnjgdV;irgin:
- r- . " ". (
i, Uhihuahua. A nartr oi7il-s- ffTt
recently nrrivpd arninrti'illS'TTj4 d:-5?
OriMll wrtrnA il .1-L1 1 IjT i T 1 -r-
"-"j 'uvt. viAinaifiiieirittea ittverrcon
.:.- oXTZrt fi
TiC(
tr, YtvA T?;n,.oV -tV?7Z'A..7Zz:jK-. STl ,:,? &?5vlJl.
. i...v.. u. fuiuijca, aiunurioai inejindtanlrirss m
on the route are so'-weakTind cov.irdl ihni R(i3rJ$M&-J2-
Lnval lhA .vhnlA At L. :i Z 'imtli .
t j -1.--v"j.,.;sssi, :
resenionniose.y-ponra.onesnlarndlfiavo
To i onvince-vou of itJfketheIibprtvtiSSil-,Trr.
pie herewith try thbupcorapanvjifsorfle rnTcds.an!
I flatter niyself, you U,1herj-iIlbmrTnfmpoati5i
of foreign-spgnrs may bufleCnnqTeikT.Toiwfc
ceireM?. Df Boll Iserlap;ike)vmpkM
I am now distributing: tip seed arnorlthVfalmers'iwht
want to go into the,tobaccobusiDesynrid-irrn"inIionp'h
next yeajfvye, shall be eaar4e"dto,snpIyiH:Texas lith
good segars WejhallraJlhelWryljestlobaccrrwEich
is, after my experience atertyearsheHavbnna:! shSld
be verv sornr-if nnv nftip nkn.... .: t r' -
j .i - , -- uuuin ii ir-in iiir'f
alarge amount oFspecje, jviih ttc&hsrmniktemi M
chasegoodrrHltfew.Pleansand
thatroate, Tney cstimateaBe;dito;froCaMi0.
R-llTtilBSC -!
Santa Fe they discovered tworiaVtrlblroIarnlff &
within the limits oCTiisJjnveyedhpS
tity innTBm3pmrftnTT?aS!.if ct . .. . v,.".Jg'?-2W'a
han
.-SP
nipstuninimousytftclpd ia faWrofbmfin'wfihf-li
-Zf'r
asand submftting-.to its furTsdrrTtion. or t f nnrZkehr, I"
- .. V. k'MI UlfdUIC
J r j r. J .
comG-mtriin the jdrisdrctlon.of the republic 'andltt ti
quest copteroronr lawsL-as-lransIate'd forour 'cltfzplr
Mexican and Spanlih ongk It u- said, tjSellrJpifes
aoovfnrstm; wti
HSir5
.laveuespatenea two envoys, AleSrs. WoitBanSna Sffcfe-
man to signify toourgovernment their wilfin'omfe'ia
I -1 ..I 1 .v. r.
atwhen they shalSsiSSS
juie'better acquainted nvit the topograjyitji'y3"
country, the trade of ChihuahuLwill be 'div.
nearer norls of Galveston or Htrimn Wp hhw&?if3?j
turn ofthese traders as the harbLiger of brighfer &njaf& fJ
our flourishing republic, and loot forwardwjUirglow -gg
4 - -... .. w ....v. ", - .,- -
anticipations to tho period w!
thp .rith rommprrp
SantaTFeand Chihuahua shai
.-f -1 i??-st3i?
owito our cities, asTrZpJjxJ&i.
arly and freely'as the ralv
flow to onr'Bafbort "
in their mountainsj.fesS.
, i ..
-4f
T . .T - T
L.IP1N A.-V" tajKEJW-'aJBIANSiiA hUl
introducpd b?lbrgKMproVS?bVIoMJ3
the west'bank of.th
iueiB inoescroa .tneiropjiersnnd UpotF-lhrCoIo
and B-razos rivrirs WproiiAtttiSfiStf 4,
ten miles square sfiaH-be )jl onthtTbflM
Colorado for the LipanWd ttStfrtft&JSdMg
JSps
owhe Tonkf waL' T3,ij
iracis are lo be s1''
uiluiuc ntcia. r.;nt
.k, .r
ofregul ir soldiers shall. b!
valion9. The ndvocatps
W.tQ l.
B3-4.S3 .
LM I 1 1 1 1 1 V
qyjdesIso that IT coSSaiSfcSS
stationed inPh nF.t,o .S-.'TSi
f Ibis bill urge that if it hnnlv -?
be carried into eff-ct, njvould prove excepi'nln-. & jfSj
For the Indians thus eocentratpfl i tU. .-, &l:5.?.4r-2m
. --..... ...... u - -,. i.- a.
form n barrnr to the irtirsiani nf tha ,-...!. --.sid
t. . ..unuciii savages.'
As however they wouj be constantly exposed to ifip t
tacks of ihe hostile sayges we doubt whptherther coda ""
be induced to hold thr positions. ThpiV ,nm-. j' -i ?Z
sit.onsand cowardicee fearull prove uisypp.abl,. cbT
stacies to me me isurf Hovv.n7rirIe7SSTrrr
worth trying as it waUst rrS ,t fn the fctab'!rshme
",l"u " (jjaia jw,m- inajan country.
Deuxquest
:c3TIES-Tii?CT1!;
Fannin, aimson. P&ton, Liberia Snn PLtrtoXk u(
.nhc TrtT A w..r
onrl UBr.;m UJK -M V til-lu
Wsrrr--fi.jn-:::iiSL!?iuai
uuu U9Miii;'tuil Uiarll-(l
JO DStfll) tin hrst. .1 . t. - . .
i'.-'T t
.... ...v jw... , li.;iy ""M'lfi
or the citizens ortrV;conntic! 2. ' ;" -
sr-.iV .
rnenl.ngTliat somWb fin5pr63not s-art fortr?ac,
s'art fortfr.arji
tern ciVucjMhat w; ,ftT ,. ,
from embirrassiniut In
f-h,i7il.V n-3 iit.iii -. rA
neithera Neckar.i 'Mj!ll'.vi:nn-to-r,.,Vw,X
from our diffi-ilii-s Onjgsi $p3jjttluJ:
and of econ'emy cm n Iievens-Pi libr if -a ii?d out l
havpbut to rfduc'lhe exp-ndiiiiKs in it i '.inntsottl
country,and th- leccssiry r- lief will sim follow- It Uk
alrpady beennsci tainrd that this is praptic-.i'd ,miil it on
remains for Coirrcss to carry the -fit "S'te Jn'o fh-i
The civil and coftingenl expenses of thi rep thlic can 1
reducpd to abourp400,000 ; therevpnu.- nctiilly paid, u 'j&
during the Iat ySir is 8453335 32. ind tht"r iAll due-,
i.. a: ,J r.L . -A.r. " -y
iui uirctiiaxt's, eiuins ior me. quarter enping outuSfpi , js
1840, licenses &f8583,I84 66. Wetnaytherefore'rafe-. til
ly estimate the rJ?enues of the country-for.-thertwxt xr?ar "
cress seems deUimined to curtaililie exnCivliliirrfttohp- K-
amount nhoveimJition-d, and therr;cansc4rcly beraonbV if-
that within a tv '"jeks, our citizens will TCcivlK'' .?$
gratifying intpfcaicetL? 9!' &
ject. has receivfithe aJnWf n.mpusanciton of th. t
-T . ". jTl .
mItn?
A bill vVtilsed: both 1
hciises of Congress extndingp
thetime of payftent on surveys, from January until JuneH
--t
next
i'
"v---
-"V r'.
sssd
s-jiri-
iSS"fi
rifi-r-,
'fSM
?ii
vsi
i-'j"
SftSSyi-
.. j&ki
V ' ?
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 4, Ed. 1, Wednesday, December 16, 1840, newspaper, December 16, 1840; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48113/m1/2/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.