B. Estimate of the probable expense incident to the management of the public lands embraced in the bill, if the present system should continue, based on data derived from its past operations. For surveying and selling (see annexed esti mate, No. 1), For grants and donations, except every 16th For additional expense of Congress in legisla ting for the new States, based on the average expense of the last ten years, amounting to a fraction over $770,000 annually (see annexed statement, No. 3); and on the supposition that one seventh of the expense was chargeable to that branch of legislation, which would make annually $110,000, and, multiplied by 80, the number of years required to dispose of the lands embraced in the bill, would amount to Add for 5 per cent. fund, proposed by the bill to be surrendered by the States, on the sum Making a total expenditure, including the 5 per cent. fund, for the 80 years required for 10,214,262 selling the public lands in the new States, of $44,094,563 Which, divided by 80, the length of time supposed to be necessary to dispose of the whole lands embraced in the bill, would give for the average annual sum a fraction above $550,000. No. 1. Estimate of the expenses for surveying and selling the lands yet remaining in the States, made by the Commissioner of the General Land Office. Compensation of the registers and receivers Total, 6,230,700 31 664,616 17 $8,112,251 93 * These amounts include the 8,932,440 acres not yet ceded in Michigan. To which should be added the probable cost of purchasing the Indian title to 8,932,440 acres in Michigan. No. 2. WAR DEPARTMENT, Office Indian Affairs, April 18th, 1840. SIR,-In reply to your note of this date, I have the honor to state, that "the probable expense of extinguishing the" titles of the Wyandots to the lands now occupied by them in Ohio is estimated at $134,770; of the Miamies, to their lands in Indiana, $1,009,600; and of the Chippewas, to their lands in Michigan, $1,339,866. In making these estimates, I have been guided by the amounts lately paid to the several tribes for cessions of similar lands. The cost of emigrating the Wyandots, who number about 600, is estimated at $33,000, or $55 per head; and of subsisting them for one year in their new country West, $20,000: for the emigration of the Miamies, about 1,100 in number, at $50 per head, $55,000; and subsistence, $36,6663 for the emigration of the Chippewas, who are supposed to number about 1,200, at $60 per head, $72,000; and subsistence, $40,000. I have embraced the cost of subsistence in this statement, as this expense, of late years, has invariably attended the removal of Indian tribes. No computation has been made of the value of lands which must necessarily be assigned to them West. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD. No. 3. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, April 18th, 1840. SIR,-The amount drawn from the Treasury, during the last ten years, on account of the compensation and mileage of the members of the two Houses of Congress, the salaries of their officers, for their contingent and all other expenses, including the library, was as follows, viz. : I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. L. SMITH. C. Statement showing the aggregate quantity of public lands of the United States which had been sold |