provision for the purpose, and the claim being a just one and of long standing, is herewith submitted again with recommendation that it receive favorable action.

The above estimated deficiencies arise from the fact that Congress has imposed upon the United States surveyors general the duty of examining and reporting upon the validity of title to private land clairas in Arizona and Colorado. The estimated amount for clerk hire being for the pay of a competent clerk in each office, versed in the English and Spanish languages, to act as translators, and the defi ciencies in contingent expenses arise also under the duties of the United States surveyors general in examining and adjudicating private land claims. These estimates are necessary for the public service unless Congress should, as recommended by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, devolve said duties upon a board of commissioners to be authorized to act for that purpose.

g The foregoing deficiency in the salary of messenger in the surveyor general's office arises from the fact that the appropriation of $1,500, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877, was insufficient to pay the salary of the messenger and defray the other necessary incidental expenses of the office. The messen. ger was retained in the service by the surveyor general during the period specified, and being entitled to bis pay for said services, the above estimate is submitted. The estimate of $68.75 is for stationery purchased by the surveyor general during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877. The appropriation for that year having been exhausted the amount is submitted for appropriation.

h It is estimated that the surveys under the above contract will amount to $750. An unexpended balance of $117.21 of the appropriation to which it is properly chargeable was carried to surplus fund July 12. 1877, but being insufficient to defray the estimated cost of the surveys under the above contract, the amount is submitted as a deficiency.

iThe above estimate is submitted for salaries of two draughtsmen and two copyists for six months in the office of the surveyor general of New Mexico. The sum of $33,500 having been apportioned to New Mexico for the survey of private land claims from the appropriation of $300,000 of March 3, 1877, for the survey of public and private lands, the appropriation of $5,000 of March 3, 1877, for salaries of clerks in said office will not be sufficient to pay the salaries of the clerks necessary to perform the work arising under the above large apportionment and keep up the current business of the office. The services of the present force of clerks will be required to perform the work arising under the survey of public lands.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

General Land Office, September 26, 1877,

J. A. WILLIAMSON,

Commissioner

No. 16.-Estimates of balances of appropriations carried to the surplus fund under the provisions of the fifth section of the act of June 20, 1874, required to be reappropriated for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, by the General Land Office.

[See Revised Statutes, title 41, page 725, sections 3660 and 3671, and Statutes, 18, chapter 129, page 37 section 3, act of March 3, 1875.]

Detailed objects of expenditure, and explanations.

Surveying public lands.*

Total amount to be

appropriated un
der each head of
appropriation.

Amount carried to the surplus fund July 1, 1876.

Louisiana :

George O. Elms, deputy surveyor, contract dated June 20, 1874, per act
March 3, 1873, (17 Stat., p. 515, sec. 1.)

$216 25 $14, 312 20

*The unexpended balance of $14,312.20 of the appropriation to which the foregoing amount was chargeable was carried to surplus fund July 12, 1876. The amount found to be due the deputy surveyor is therefore submitted for reappropriation.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

J. A. WILLIAMSON,

Commissioner.

General Land Office, September 26, 1877.

*Boundaries.-Commencing at 54° 40' north latitude, ascending Portland Channel to the mountains, following their summits to 141 west longitude; thence north on this
line to the Arctic Ocean, forming the eastern boundary. Starting from the Arctic Ocean west, the line descends Behring Strait, between the two islands of Krusenstern and
Rotmanoff, to the parallel of 65° 30', and proceeds due north, without limitation, into the same Arctic Ocean. Beginning again at the same initial point, on the parallel of 65°
30', thence in a course southwest, through Behring Strait, between the island of Saint Lawrence and Cape Chonkotski, to 1720 west longitude, and thence southwesterly,
through Behring Sea, between the islands of Alton and Copper, to the meridian of 1930 west longitude, leaving the prolonged group of the Aleutian Islands in the possessions
now transferred to the United States, and making the western boundary of our country the dividing line between Asia and America.
No census taken.

NOTES.

The land surface of the United States, 3,580,238 square miles, when increased by the water surface of the great lakes and rivers, gives a total area to the United States of
about 4,000.000 square miles.

The areas of the thirteen original States, and of States admitted as well as of States and Territories over which the public surveys have not yet been completed, are taken
from geographical authorities.
The population of the United States, as shown by the ninth census, taken, in accordance with Constitutional requirements, in 1870, was 38,558,371, to which if added the
number of Indians not taxed," would give a true population of 38,925,598. The present population (1877) is estimated at 46,000,000.

Colorado.- Duly admitted as a State into the Union by proclamation of the President August 1, 1876, (Statutes at Large, pamphlet 1875-'76, page 7.)
Alaska. The act of 1868 merely extends the laws of the United States relating to customs, commerce, and navigation over this Territory ceded by Russia, giving to the
courts of California and Oregon jurisdiction of offenses uncer this act. The public land system has not yet been extended over the Territory of Alaska.

Indian Territory--This Territory is attached to the western judicial district of Arkansas. (See act of Congress approved June 30, 1834. Statutes at Large, vol. 4, p. 729.)
Washington City, in the District of Columbia, is the political capital of the United States; is situated on the left bank of the Potomac River between two small tributaries-
the one on the east called the Eastern Branch and the one on the west called Rock Creek, the latter separating it from Georgetown, which is also embraced within the limits of
the District of Columbia, which is under the direct control of Congress. This territory, which formerly embraced the city of Alexandria, was ceded by the States of Maryland
and Virginia to the general government. By act of July 9, 1846, the cession of Virginia was retroceded.

J. A. WILLIAMSON, Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE, November 1, 1877.