It appears from the different enumerations made according to the population acts of congress, that the increase is at the rate of three per cent. per annum; in other words, that the population doubles every twentythree years; and it is probable that it will preserve this rate of increase for a hundred years and more, owing to the immense extent of country yet unpeopled. In 1810, it amounted in round numbers to 7,000,000; in 1833, it will be 14,000,000; 1856, 28,000,000; 1879, 56,000,000; 1902, 112,000,000; 1925, 224,000,000. This last number, scattered over a territory of 3,000,000 of square miles, would average about seventy to each mile, a population similar to that of Massachusetts Proper, and about the average of Europe.* Boston Recorder. CHAPTER XXXVI. PUBLIC LANDS AND AGRIculture. THE United States have obtained, by cession from the different states of the Union, all their respective rights to public lands. The Indian title to extensive tracts has been extinguished by treaty, and all the vacant lands of Louisiana have become national property. According to the statement of the commissioner of the general land office, dated the 30th December 1813, there are upwards of 400,000,000 of acres of national domain undisposed of, situated as follows: * A general land-office was established in the department of the treasury, in April 1812, the chief officer of which is entitled, "The Commissioner of the General Land-Office," whose duty it is to superintend and execute all matters respecting public lands, under the direction of the secretary of the treasury, to whom returns are made. Another officer, named the Chief Clerk, has charge of the sale, records, books, and papers. No person employed in this office is to be engaged, directly or indirectly, in the purchase of public lands. The commissioner of the land-office, who is appointed by the president of the United States, by and with the consent of the senate, has a salary of 2250 dollars. 1 1. Lands of which the Indian title has been extinguished, 56,225,000 2. Lands of which the Indian title has not been extinguished eastward of the Mississippi, 3. Lands of which the Indian title has not been extinguished in Louisiana and the Missouri territory, estimated at 148,876,000 Total, 200,000,000 405,101,000 This land is of every quality of soil, and extends through almost every variety of climate. The law for the sale of the public lands was passed in the year 1800, and has since undergone some modifications. The lands having been surveyed, are divided into townships of six miles square, each of which is subdivided into thirty-six sections, of one mile square, or 640 acres. The dividing lines run in the direction of the cardinal points, and cross one another at right angles. This business is under the direction of two surveyors, the one having the title of " Surveyor general," the other that of "Surveyor of the public lands south of the state of Tennessee." The powers and duties of the first extend over all the public lands north of the river Ohio, and over the territory of Louisiana; those of the second over the territories of Orleans and Mississippi. A return of the surveys is transmitted to the proper land-office, and also to the treasury-office at Washington. A 36th part, or 640 acres of each township, is allotted for the support of schools within its limits; and seven entire townships have been given in perpetuity, for the support of seminaries of learning; two in the state of Ohio, and one in each of the territories of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In every act or deed, lead mines and salt springs are reserved, and may be leased by government. The rivers Mississippi and Ohio, and all the navigable streams that lead into either, or into the St Lawrence, remain as common highways, and free from all tax, to all the citizens of the United States. The lands are offered at public sale, in quarter sections of 160 acres each. minimum price is two dollars per acre. The lands not purchased at public sale may be sold privately at this price. In either case the purchase-money is paid in four equal instalments; the first within forty days, and the others within two, three, and four years, after the date of the purchase. If the payment be not made according to the terms, interest is paid as at the rate of six per cent. per annum. each instalment a discount of eight per cent. is allowed The On |