the third head, the legal presumption is, that the missing section or quarter section corners were originally established in conformity with the distances expressed in the field notes, and the surveyor should so re-establish them. Extinct quarter section corners, except on fractional section lines, when they cannot be identified as above, should be re-established equidistant between the section corners, in a right line between the nearest noted "line trees" each side of it, if there are any, but if none are found, then in a right line between the section corners. Extinct quarter section posts on section lines which close on the north and west, boundaries of townships, should be re-established, according to the original measurement thereof, at 40 chains from the last interior section corner. Extinct section corners may be re-established by running a right line between the nearest noted "line trees" north and south and east and west of the lost corner, if there be any such trees within the distance of the nearest quarter section, or section corners; but if no "line trees" be found, then between the nearest quarter section or section corners, and at the point of intersection of the two lines thus run, establish the section corner, with new bearings, to the nearest and most desirable objects. The quarter mile posts are not established in government surveys, but are, by law, understood to be equidistant from the section and quarter section corners, as stated under the fourth head, and should be so established by the county surveyor. It may be remarked, that where the measurement of any section line by the county surveyor does not correspond with the original measurement recorded in the field notes, lost corners should be re-established at proportional distances from each other between the known corners. A proper application of the principles embraced herein will enable the practical surveyor to subdivide the public lands and re-establish the lost corners of the public surveys, in conformity with law and the regulations and usages of the land department. There are some anomalous cases, such, for instance, as double corners on the north end west boundary lines of townships, an explanation of which must be omitted owing to the length of this communication. The general principles which should govern the county surveyor are, however, indicated with sufficient clearness to guide him in the rightful performance of his duties. Very respectfully, etc., JAS. M. EDMUNDS, Commissioner. APPENDIX. REGULATIONS IN REGARD TO FURNISHING CERTIFIED COPIES OF PLATS, RECORDS, ETO. ON FILE IN THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. APPLICATIONS for certified copies of plats and transcripts and exemplifications of papers, etc., on file in the General Land Office, have become very numerous, and much time is required in answering them. Many of these calls involve the labor of weeks, and in some instances of months, and are of a strictly private character, having no relation to the public interests. When it is proper that such exemplifications should be furnished, they ought manifestly to be furnished at the expense of the parties requiring them. To this end Congress passed the following act, to wit: "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, from and after the first day of July next, all exemplifications of patents or papers on file or of record in the General Land Office, which may be required by parties interested, shall be furnished by the Commissioner of said office upon the payment by such parties at the rate of fifteen cents per hundred words, and two dollars for copies of township plats, or diagrams, with an additional sum of one dollar for the Commissioner's certificate of verification with the General Land Office seal; and one of the employees of said office shall be designated by the said Commissioner, as the receiving clerk, and the amounts so received shall, under the direction of the said Commissioner, be paid into the Treasury of the United States; effect to be given to this act according to such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior not inconsistent with the laws of the United States: Provided, That the fees stipulated in the foregoing provisions shall not apply to such authenticated copies as may be required by the officers of any branch of the government, nor to such unverified copies as the Commissioner in his discretion may deem proper to furnish." Approved July 2d, 1864. As the law was not approved until the 2d day of July, 1864, it did not go into operation until one year thereafter. On the 8th day of July, 1865, the Commissioner of the General Land Office, by direction of the Secretary of the Interior, issued the following regulations giving effect to this law: "First.-From and after July 1st, 1865, no copies will be furnished until the cost thereof shall first be paid to the General Land Office. "Second.-The applicant must address a communication to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, designating the tract or tracts in regard to which the verified transcripts are wanted, describing as accurately as possible the record, papers, or plats of which transcripts are desired, and sending a sum of money quite sufficient to cover the cost according to the extent of the copying required; and should the sum sent to this office be in excess of the actual cost under the act, such excess will be returned to the applicant. "The following is the tariff established under the statute for furnishing transcripts, to wit: "1st. Fifteen (15) cents for every hundred words in a transcript. "2d. Two dollars ($2) for copy of township plat, or diagram. "3d. One dollar ($1) for the Commissioner's certificate of verification and official seal. 66 "4th. One dollar ($1) for appending such certificate and seal to official certificates of approval of assignments of Bounty Land Warrants. Third.—Upon the receipt at the General Land Office of the application particularly describing the record or papers of which transcripts are required, accompanied by the requisite amount to cover the expense, the same will be duly acknowledged and the exemplifications promptly transmitted." Applications for certified copies of such documents and papers as can be furnished by the local offices, should be made directly to them, as it is not desirable needlessly to increase this class of work in the General Land Office. In writing for copies of plats, transcripts, or patents, be particular to give the township, range, and section in a legible hand. |