A MANUAL

OF

AMERICAN MINING LAW

BY

A. H. RICKETTS

OF THE

SAN FRANCISCO BAR

SAN FRANCISCO

SCIENTIFIC BOOK PUBLISHING CO.

MCMXI

PREFACE.

My schoolmate and friend, Mr. A. H. Ricketts, considers it proper that the eldest son of the author of the first work on American mining law should write the preface to the latest book on that subject. But for the sentiment involved, I should hesitate, as a mere layman, to identify myself even in this small way, with a work of the technical character of this book. My father, the late Gregory Yale, as far back as 1867 wrote his book on "Mining Claims and Water Rights," before which there was no original contribution on mining law in American legal literature. Based largely on the now obsolete mining law of Congress of July, 1866, that work is now mainly of interest for the historical features connected with the subject, and has been long out of print.

This latest work on American mining law, by Mr. Ricketts, brings everything on the subject up to date, as to State and Federal legislation, the decisions of the courts, and the rulings of the Departments. On reading the advance sheets one is at once struck by the conciseness in which the facts are presented. There has been no attempt whatever toward elaboration or argument. The author gives what he considers the proper construction of the law and in each case cites the authorities. There is therefore nothing to confuse the layman, while at the same time the book is of great value for reference to those of the legal profession. Under each general heading are num