Report of the Commissioner of General Land Office

I heretofore called attention to the fact that there is a large amount of surveying in the district needing to be done, which I cannot induce the deputies to undertake at the present rate per mile. I allude to forest lands. Settlements are penetrating them on all sides, and heavy milling enterprises are making inroads upon the timber, and it is greatly to the interest of the government, as well as the settlers, that these lands be surveyed. It was with some difficulty that I succeeded in having 17 fractional townships surveyed in the Yaquina Bay, Smith's and Coquille River country, and yet the larger portion of these townships are settled, and the residents have been petitioning for years to have them subdivided. I would therefore recommend that some provision be made by which these forest lands may be surveyed, and would respectfully suggest that the surveyor general be authorized to contract for the survey of these lands at a rate not exceeding $20 per mile for exteriors and standard parallels, and $15 per mile for subdivisions. I would also recommend the addition of $1,000 to the appropriation for incidental expenses of this office, to enable the surveyor general to examine the field in person, and determine for himself the townships and localities which should come under the provisions of the higher maximum, and for other purposes necessary to the most judicious extension of the surveys. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. Jos. S. WILSON,

E. L. APPLEGATE,
Surveyor General of Oregon.

Commissioner of General Land Office.