Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858].

March 6, 1856

``Can there be any valid pre-emption on sections of land, alternate to the Sections granted to the Illinois Central Railroad?''

My opinion is asked on the above question.

``An Act to appropriate the proceeds of the sales of the public lands, and to grant pre-emption rights'' Approved Sep. 4. 1841, contains the first permanent, or prospective pre-emption law.

5 U.S. Stat. at Large 453.

Sections ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen, of this act, relate exclusively to pre-emptions. In Section ten it is provided that ``no sections of land reserved to the United States alternate to other sections granted to any of the States for the construction of any canal, railroad, or other public improvement, shall be liable to entry under and by virtue of the provisions of this act.''

This act continues to be our general pre-emption law, up to the present time---and, although some supplementary provisions had afterwards been enacted, the above provision, in section ten, remained untouched up to Sep. 20. 1850, when the Central Railroad grant was made.

The latter act, preserved existing pre-emptions, on the even sections, granted generally, for the Road; but made no mention of pre-emptions, as to the odd sections reserved to the United States.

9 Stat. at Large 466.

August 2. 1852 ``An Act to protect actual Settlers upon the Land on the Line of the Central Railroad and Branches, by granting Pre-emption Rights thereto,'' was passed. By this act, pre-emptions were given on these reserved Sections, to such persons as were settlers on them, on Sep. 20. 1850, in such way as to be entitled to the benefit of the act of Sep. 4. 1841.

10 Stat. at Large---27.

This, it is perceived, limits the right arrow_forward to those who had made actual settlements upon the lands, on the 20th. of Sep. 1850---the date of the Central Railroad grant.

March 3. 1853 ``An Act to extend Pre-emption Rights to certain lands therein mentioned'' was enacted.

By this act the general pre-emption laws are extended to these reserved Sections, with a proviso ``That no person shall be entitled to the benefit of this act who has not settled and improved, or shall not settle and improve such lands prior to the final allotment of the alternate sections, to such Railroads by the General Land Office'' 10 Stat. at Large---244.

I have examined all the subsequent acts of Congress up to the close of the Session, on March 3. 1855; and I do not discover that the above quoted proviso has even been disturbed---``An Act for the Relief of Settlers on Lands reserved for Railroad purposes'' Approved, March 27. 1854---does not affect the act last aforesaid. 10 Stat. at Large 269.

The final allotment of the alternate sections to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, by the General Land-Office, was made on the 13th. day of March. 1852.

It is my opinion that persons who settled on those reserved sections prior to the date of said ``final allotment'' arrow_back might arrow_forward have valid pre-emptions; and that those who settled thereon after the date of said allotment, can not.

As to the mode of redress, in cases of pre-emptions having been improperly allowed by the Register and Receiver, it is more difficult to answer, owing to that matter depending upon the regulations, or special action, of the Departments, and not upon express statutory provisions.

I understand that if a pre-emption be illegally allowed by the Register and Receiver, or, even legally allowed, but upon false or fraudulent proof, and forwarded to the General Land Office; the party interested to contest the pre-emption, may address a letter, or petition, to the Commissioner of the General Land-Office, describing the land, stating the facts, and pointing out wherein the illegality or fraud consists, and asking for a re-hearing; and that, thereupon, the Commissioner will direct the Register and Receiver to give a re-hearing, upon notice to both pre-emptor, and contestant.

I, therefore, would advise that wherever, on these reserved sections, a settlement and improvement have been made before the ``allotment'' of the General Land Office, towit before, March 13. 1852- and a claim is now set up the claim should be contested, on the ground that the arrow_back right arrow_forward has been lost, by not being followed up with claim, proof, and payment, in due time---See Section 15 of the Act of Sep. 4. 1841.

In cases where settlements were made after the allotment, contest them on the ground that there never was a arrow_back right.

The contest to be made in the mode above pointed out. The letter, or petition, to the Commissioner, should, in this class of cases, contain a reference to the aforesaid Acts of Sep. 4. 1841---Sep. 20. 1850. August 2. 1852---March 3. 1853 & March 27. 1854---and particularly to that of March 3. 1853.

Also, if it be intended to assail the proof which the pre-emptor has made, as being false or fraudulent, it would be better to verify the Petition by affidavit.

March 6. 1856 A. LINCOLN