OF THE

40315-

COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE

FOR THE

FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1879.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1879.

INDEX.

Page'

COMMISSIONER'S LETTER OF TRANSMISSION

STATISTICS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR:

I

giving a synopsis of his report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879.

Number of acres of public land and private land claims surveyed..

8

Number of acres disposed of in various ways...

8-9

Moneys received from various sources

9

Number of letters received and number written and recorded...

SURVEYING OPERATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR:

Amount of money appropriated for surveys

Apportionment thereof among surveying districts....

Circular letter of July 15, 1878, to surveyors general

9

10

10-12

Tabular statement showing areas surveyed in the several States and Terri-
tories during the fiscal year..

Tabular statement showing comparative progress of surveys during five
years last past

Special examinations of surveys during the fiscal year

27

27

Amount of money set apart for paying expenses thereof.

Survey and subdivision of Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Reserves in Dakota..
Survey of the Colorado and Utah boundary

35-36

36-38

......

Abstracts of decisions affecting surveys

38-39

Circular of June 27, 1879, in relation to assignment of certificates of deposit
on account of surveys

39-41

Work done in General Land Office during fiscal year in regard to surveys
and drafting

Work done in pre-emption division and condition of business at the end of
the year...

42-43

Suggested consolidation of the homestead and pre-emption laws..
Decisions of United States Supreme Court, cases of Atherton . Fowler and
Hosmer vs. Wallace, construing the pre-emption laws, considered, and
legislation recommended regarding occupancy of unoffered public lands 43-45
Recommendation renewed of legislation to admit of pre-emptor making final
affidavit without having to go to the district land office..

43

45-46