to the School, Interest Fund, it would require no very great effort to prove the soundness of the policy, as the foregoing comparative statement of the sales of the University lands will show. This, indeed, is no new suggestion; for as a measure, it has received the consideration of the legislature for the last two years, and for its adoption there have been many able advocates. But involving as it does* the interests of a fund devoted to the sacred purposes of general, education, and appearing to be of an experimental character, it has hitherto been cautiously, if not reluctantly examined, and the result has been its suspension. A law authorizing the reception of these warrants for the school lands would most certainly induce increased and extraordinary sales of them, thus augment the principal fund, and of course be productive of a larger amount of interest monies for distribution. A considerable portion of that land of inferior quality, now comparatively worth much less than the present minimum price, and which at that price will not likely be purchased for specie funds for many years, would probably be entered under the provisions of such a law, the effect of which being equivalent to a reduction of that price. It would thus be appreciated, and prove satisfactory to those interested, and who periodically agitate this subject of reduction thro' their representatives. But favorable as this view is, such a law to be productive of full and permanent benefits, must be based on undoubted and subs antial means to ensure such ends.

The Internal Improvement Fund should be so conditioned as to have the ability to annually pay the interest on the principal fund thus absorbed by it. Without this assurance it is evident that nothing but perplexity and injury would ensue.

The embarrassed condition of that fund, and the unsettled policy regarding the sources of its proceeds, have unquestionably hitherto operated against the adoption of such a measure as is here alluded to; and it is not probable that more auspicious circumstances now exist. But as the Legislature may, upon consideration of the subject of Internal Improvements, and its contingencies, provide some certain means for the payment of our domestic indebtedness, or the interest accruing upon it; and as this matter of reduction may be again renewed at its ensuing session, I have deemed it my duty with the most respectful deferrence, to submit the foregoing remarks on the sub

ject, not knowing, nor presuming to anticipate what the result may be, but without belief, and with but little hope, that under existing circumstances it will be such as to warrant the adoption of the measure suggested, even though it should be otherwise favorably entertained.

A part of the lands received from the Michigan State Bank, and otherwise, in payment of debts due the State, denominated "assett lands," situated in the counties of Monroe, Jackson, Calhoun, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Oakland, Genesee, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Ionia, Midland Gratiot, Saginaw, Macomb, St. Clair and Wayne, have been appraised according to law, and were offered at this office on the 15th of July last, and are now subject to private entry. As will be seen, but few sales of these lands have been made, and yet it is believed that many of them are choice lands, eigibly situated, and appraised at reasonable prices, for which warrants on the Internal Improvement Fund are receivable. Scattered as these lands are through the several counties, and being for a long period heretofore involved among the assetts of that Bank, it is not improbable that persons desirous of purchasing have been unable, without difficulty, to trace ownership of them, and in this respect, their sale is retarded.

I therefore, notwithstanding lists of their descriptions have been published in most of the several counties in which they are situated, deem it proper to annex a full schedule of them, (marked A,) with their appraised prices, as being calculated to afford more particular information, and with a hope of attracting more especial attention to their prices and condition, which may result in enlarged sales.

The attention of the legislature is again respectfully directed to the condition of the salt spring lands. By the provisions of Act No. 90, approved March 24, 1845, whenever the Governor shall be notified of the passage of an act by Congress, authorizing their sale by the State, the Commissioner is to proceed to advertise and sell them according to the terms prescribed. No act granting such authority having been passed by the late Congress, it is therefore necessary that the application for such purpose be renewed at its present session,

Many of those lands are of a superior quality, and well located,

and their sale would not only be productive of revenue to the appropriate fund, but would facilitate the settlement of the districts in which they are situated.

The amount of sales of the Internal improvement lands during the year, bears favorable comparison with that of the previous year; and is probably larger than the aggregate sales at all the United States land offices in this State during the last four or five years. The advantages offered by their excellent location and incomparable cheapness,continues to be appreciated and the result is seen in the quantity sold. Indeed, at one period, so frequent were the inquiries concerning them, addressed by letters to this office, from persons in several of the eastern and southern States, that I was compelled to prepare a circular letter embodying the general information required, as the most prompt and certain method of reply, and the communications thus, and otherwise made, have doubtless contributed to induce the purchase of those lands by emigrants from some of those States, as our books show that a very considerable part of the sales has been made to persons from the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and from Canada; and there is but little doubt that as a knowledge of the combined advantages in their purchase is extended, their sale will steadily continue.

I

All of the pre-emption claims to these lands which were proven and allowed at this office, being one hundred and five in number, have been consummated by the purchase of the lands claimed within the time limited by the law, and its provisions concerning them have proved very beneficial to the claimants.

The exact quantity selected by virtue of the grant to the State, under the direction of the Governor, and with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury as officially reported by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, is 492,504,41-100 acres, leaving a balance of 7495,59-100 acres yet to be selected to equal the quantity granted by the act of Congress.

A

Annexed is given a list (marked B.) of the quantity of these lands selected, the quantity sold, and that remaining unsold in the several townships in the counties in which they are respectively situated. To many it will afford useful, perhaps valuable information. It will be

seen that of the said quantity selected, the total amount sold to Nov. 30, 1845 is 206,832,90-100 acres, leaving the balance of 285,671,51-100 acres unsold, and subject to entry.

The existing laws concerning the disposition of the public lands, and the government of this departiment, have generally proved in their execution, salutary and satisfactory; and the discharge of its duties, and the transaction of its continually increasing business, are much facilitated by the comparative certainty of their provisions. There may be few exceptions, but they are probably only such as unavoidably occur in the application of all general laws to individal cases.

*There are, however some difficulties experienced, arising out of an imperfection in the laws organizing this department, which at the time of organization were certainly unforeseen, and which I deem it my duty to notice and suggest the remedy.

The embarrassments alluded to, are occasioned by the offices of the Commissioner and Recorder being held separate and apart.

In the ordinary transaction of business with this office, there are few persons to whom certificates or receipts are issued who are aware of the requirement to obtain the Recorder's countersign, and the constant practice of myself and clerks, has therefore been to state in all cases, the necessity for it; but the caution for some reason or other is not always regarded, and in some cases the countersign is not procured.

Much of the business with this office is transacted by means of correspondence through the mail, and a considerable portion of the time of the clerks is necessarily spent in procuring such countersign before the papers can be transmitted to the persons making the payments.—— Again, it not unfrequently occurrs that one denomination of figures is mistaken for another; the Recorder erroneously charges more or less as the case may be, and the monthly comparison between the two offices shows conflicting statements. In fact, the difficulties mentioned, with others of less consequence, are productive of much trouble and embarrassment, and unless removed, must entirely prevent the important requirement of such countersign from having the effect designed to be produced by its enactment.

The remedy is obvious, and is to require the Recorder to hold his

office in the same building occupied by the Commissioner. This ensures his countersign promptly and certainly, without the least trouble to persons making payments; without loss of time to this office; prevents the occurrence of errors, by affording ready facilities for required explanations, removes all difficulties, and secures the accomplishment of the objects intended by the law.

It may be proper for me here to remark that the present Recorder, whose distinguished character is a guarantee for the faithful and proper discharge of any duty devolving upon him-has made every consistent effort to obviate the difficulties mentioned; and that in view of the necessity for the remedy suggested, and of his inability to aid in the full application of it without great personal inconvenience, he had intended under any circumstances to have resigned the office, and thus afforded the opportunity for the adoption of the proposed remedy. All of which is respectfully submitted,

D. V. BELL,

Commissioner.