Chapter CLXXII. *to continue the Land Offices at Vincennes, Indiana, and to ascertain and adjust the Titles to certain Lands in the States of Indiana and Illinois, formerly included within the Vincennes Land District.* Aug. 18, 1856
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Chap. CLXXII.— An Act *to continue the Land Offices at Vincennes, Indiana, and to ascertain and adjust the Titles to certain Lands in the States of Indiana and Illinois, formerly included within the Vincennes Land District.* Aug. 18, 1856. Commissioners on certain land claims in Indiana and Illinois.*Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That the register and receiver of the land-offices at Vincennes, to be appointed, together with a fit and proper person learned in the law, and a citizen of Indiana, to be appointed by the President of the United States, are hereby constituted commissioners to ascertain and adjust the title of any claimant to any tract of land, or tiny part, or subdivision thereof, granted by the resolution of Congress 1791, ch. 27.Vol. i. p. 221.of the twenty-ninth of August, seventeen hundred and ninety-one, entitled “An act for granting lands to the inhabitants and settlers at Vincennes, and the Illinois country, in the territory northwest of the Ohio, and for confirming them in their possessions,” and the several acts in aid of and supplementary thereto.
Sec. 2. Claims to be filed in three months. *And be it further enacted,* That every such claimant to any tract of land so granted, or any part or subdivision thereof, shall, within three months alter the publication of the notice herein provided for, file his claim in writing with the said register, in which he shall specifically set forth such facts as shall be required in the instructions of the Commissioner Proviso.of the General Land-Office: *Provided,* That in any case in which good cause may be shown why the claim was not filed within the period stipulated, such claim may be presented and acted upon at any time Before the expiration of the commission.
Sec. 3. Notice to file claim. *And be it further enacted,* That such register, upon the receipt of such instructions, shall give notice in the several newspapers of general circulation within said district and in the vicinity of said lands, by publication, of his readiness to receive applications of claimants, to winch notice shall be appended the instructions of the Commissioner and a copy of this act. Sec. 4. Meeting of commissioners. *And be it further enacted,* That said commissioners shall meet, immediately after the time allowed for filing such claims, and shall hold their sessions at the town of Vincennes.
They shall have power to issue Their powers.subpoenas, and compel the attendance of witnesses, administer all necessary oaths, and to hear and decide, in a summary manner, all matters respecting such claims. Minutes of the proceedings, decisions, meetings, and adjournments of the board, shall be regularly entered in a book kept for that purpose. Sec. 5. What claims shall be confirmed. *And be it further enacted,* That every claimant to any tract of land so granted, or any subdivision thereof, who can produce to such commissioner a regular chain of title from the original confirmee or donee to himself, or who can show to their satisfaction a continuous and connected possession in himself, and those under whom he claims, for a period of twenty years or more next preceding the filing of his claim, or can show such a claim or title as would, in the courts of Indiana, bar an action of ejectment, such claimant shall be confirmed in his title.
Sec. 6. Transcript of decisions. *And be it further enacted,* That said commissioners shall, in one year from the date of organizing said commission under this act, or sooner, if the cases on their docket are all disposed of, transmit to the Commissioner of the General Land-Office a transcript of their decisions in favor of claimants, which shall contain a fair statement of the evidence 141on which each respective chum is founded; and also a transcript of their decisions against claimants, with a like statement of the evidence, and the reason of such rejection.
Sec. 7. *And be it further enacted,* That the Commissioner of thePatent to issue when the claim is confirmed. General Land-Office, upon the receipt of such transcript of their decisions, shall issue a patent to such claimant so confirmed in bis title by the said commissioners; and where any such claims have been rejected,Revisal of rejections. the said Commissioner, upon application of the proper person, shall have power to revise such decision of the said board, and may, if in his opinion the evidence warrants it, reverse such decision, and issue a patent therefor to such claimant: *Provided,* That this right to revise shall not extendProvisoes. to those claims rejected, where the same lands have been confirmed by the said board to some other claimant: *And provided further,* That the patents so issued shall only be a relinquishment of the title of the UnitedPatents to be only a relinquishment of title.
States, and shall not be considered or construed into an abridgment of the rights of third persons. Sec. 8. *And be it further enacted,* That immediately after the passageCertain bonks, &c. to be transmitted to commissioners. of this act, the Commissioner of the General Land-Office shall give directions to the register and receiver of the land-offices at Indianapolis forthwith to transfer to the land-offices at Vincennes the books, documents, maps, plats, surveys, and all other papers and writings deposited in the land-offices at Indianapolis by the register and receiver of the land-offices at Vincennes, and which originally were deposited in the land-offices at Vincennes, and were transferred from said offices to the land-offices at.
Indianapolis, under the provisions of the act “for abolishing land-offices under certain circumstances, and for other purposes,” approved June the1840, ch. 36.Vol. v. p. 384.Land-offices at Vincennes re-established. twelfth, eighteen hundred and forty; and the said land offices at Vincennes are hereby reestablished and reorganized, as fully and effectually for the transaction of business and the sales of the public lands within said Vincennes land district, as if said land-offices had not been abolished by the provisions of the act last aforesaid.
Sec. 9. *And be it further enacted,* That the commissioner, appointedPay of commissioner. under this act by the President, shall receive as a full compensation for his services, a salary at the rate of three thousand dollars per annum, payable quarterly out of the treasury; and the register and receiver shallPay of register and receiver. receive such compensation for their services under this act as may be just and proper, in the discretion of the Commissioner of the General Land-Office.
Sec. 10. *And be it further enacted,* That it shall be the duty of theRules and regulations to be established. Commissioner of the General Land-Office, to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to give full effect to the provisions of this act. Approved, August 18, 1856. 142 THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Res. 1, 2, 8, 4. 1856. RESOLUTIONS. [No. 1]: for the Appointment, of Regents to fill the Vacancies in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
Resolution 11 Stat. 142 1 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 1.] A Resolution *for the Appointment, of Regents to fill the Vacancies in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.* Feb. 27, 1856. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the vacancies in the Geo.
E. Badger and C. C. Felton appointed regents of the Smithsonian Institution.Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, of the class “other than members of Congress,” occasioned by the resignation of Rufus Choate, and the death of John McPherson Berrien, be tilled by the appointment of George E. Badger, of North Carolina, and Cornelius C. Felton, of Massachusetts. Approved, February 27, 1856. [No. 2]: to supply a Deficiency in the Appropriations for Printing for the second Session of the thirty-third Congress.
Resolution 11 Stat. 142 2 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 2.] A Resolution *to supply a Deficiency in the Appropriations for Printing for the second Session of the thirty-third Congress.* Feb. 27, 1856. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Appropriation for printing and paper for 34th Congress may be applied to that of the 33d.*Ante*, p. 11.
That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and required to apply so much as may be necessary of the appropriations for the printing and paper of the thirty-fourth Congress to the deficiencies for the same purposes, ordered at the second session of the thirty-third Congress. Approved, February 27, 1856. [No. 3]: providing for the final Adjustment of certain Cases of Appeal from Decisions made by the Auditor of the Treasury for the Post-Office Department.
Resolution 11 Stat. 142 3 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 3.] A Resolution *providing for the final Adjustment of certain Cases of Appeal from Decisions made by the Auditor of the Treasury for the Post-Office Department.* March 13, 1856. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Mode of deciding appeals from decision of First Comptroller when he was auditor.
That in every case of account or claim not finally adjusted, upon which the present First Comptroller of the Treasury, as Auditor of the Treasury for the Post-Office Department may have decided, which may have been thereafter reexamined by an auditor in said office on new testimony and decided by him on such testimony, and from whose decision an appeal has been taken to the present First Comptroller of the Treasury, it shall be the duty of the Second Comptroller of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Customs finally to adjust the same, and in case of disagreement between the said Second Comptroller and Commissioner of Customs, the decision of the Attorney-General shall be as final as the decision of the First Comptroller would be, if he bad acted under the eighth section of the Act of July second, 1836, ch. 270, § 8.Vol. v. p. 81.eighteen hundred and thirty-six, concerning the organization of the Post-Office Department.
Approved, March 13, 1856. [No. 4]: for enlarging the Custom-House, Post-Office, and Court-House at Buffalo, New York. Resolution 11 Stat. 142 4 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 4.] Joint Resolution *for enlarging the Custom-House, Post-Office, and Court-House at Buffalo, New York.* April 5, 1856.
Extension of public buildings at Buffalo. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized to extend the building now in process of construction at Buffalo, for a custom-house, post-office, court-rooms, &c. not exceeding twenty-five feet in length, and erect proper vaults therein, if in his discretion the public interest requires the same: Provisoes.*Provided,* That such extension can be completed at an expense not exceeding thirty-three thousand dollars, including ten per cent, for contin-THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Res. 5, 7. 1856.143gencies, which sum, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money remaining in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated: *And provided further,* That no money shall be paid under this joint resolution until the Secretary of the Treasury shall contract for the completion of said building so extended, at a cost within the sum heretofore and hereby appropriated. Approved, April 5, 1856. [No. 5]: relating to the Public Lands appertaining to the Springfield and Harper’s Ferry Armories, and the North Carolina Arsenal.
Resolution 11 Stat. 143 5 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 5.] Joint Resolution *relating to the Public Lands appertaining to the Springfield and Harper’s Ferry Armories, and the North Carolina Arsenal.* April 23, 1856. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War beExchange of lands at Springfield, Mass. and he is hereby authorized, to exchange and convey the unoccupied lands and appurtenances belonging to the United States, known as the Lower Water shops, at the Springfield Armory, in the State of Massachusetts, for such other lands contiguous to the lands attached to said Armory upon the hill at Springfield, as he may deem necessary and proper for the improvement and convenience of said Armory, or in his discretion to sell the said tract known as the lower workshops and appurtenances, and to invest the proceeds of the same, or such part thereof as may be required, in the purchase of such lots or lands contiguous to the said Armory on the hill, as he may deem suitable and proper.
For this purpose, he is hereby authorized to convey the title of the United States to the lands and appurtenances hereby authorized to be sold and conveyed, and to receive from individuals or corporate proprietors, deeds and titles to the lands so exchanged, sold or purchased. Sec. 2. *And be it further resolved,* That the Secretary of War be andProceeds of sale of land at Harper’s Ferry may be applied to purchase other land. he is hereby authorized to apply so much of the proceeds of the recent sale of land and lots at Harper’s Ferry, as he may deem advisable, to the purchase of such other lots at that place, as he may deem necessary to the safety and convenience of the public buildings belonging to the United States, and that he apply the residue of the proceeds of said sales to the improvement of the property retained by the United States.
Sec. 3. *And be it further resolved,* That the Secretary of War be alsoSale of land at Fayetteville. authorized to make sale of such portion of the site of the United States arsenal at Fayetteville, North Carolina, as in his judgment is not required for public purposes, and apply the proceeds of such sale, or so muchApplication of proceeds. as may be necessary, to the purchase of such additional land for the use of said arsenal, as he may deem necessary. He is for this purpose, authorized to convey the title, of the United States for the lands which he may sell, to the purchaser, and to receive proper deeds and titles for the lands which may be purchased by him, as aforesaid.
Approved, April 23, 1856. [No. 7]: for enlarging the Custom-House, Post-Office and Court-House, at Cleveland, Ohio. Resolution 11 Stat. 143 7 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 7.] Joint Resolution *for enlarging the Custom-House, Post-Office and Court-House, at Cleveland, Ohio.* May 9, 1856.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the TreasuryExtension of public buildings at Cleveland. be and he is hereby authorized to cause the building provided by law to be constructed at Cleveland, in the State of Ohio, for a custom-house, post-office, and court-house, to be increased in length over the plan heretofore adopted for that purpose, not to exceed twenty-five feet, and to modify and enlarge said plan so as to adapt the same to such increased length, if, in the opinion of the Secretary, the public convenience shall require such modification: *Provided,* That such extension and modificationProvisoes. can be accomplished at an expense not exceeding thirty thousand dollars, and a sum not exceeding ten per cent, on the said last-mentioned sum for superintendence and contingencies; which sums, or so much thereof as 144THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Res. 8, 9, 10. 1856.shall be necessary, are hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated: *And provided further,* That no money shall be paid under this joint resolution until the Secretary of the Treasury shall contract for the completion of said so extended building at a cost within the sums heretofore and hereby appropriated therefor. Approved, May 9, 1856. [No. 8]: relating to the Appropriation for the Improvement of the Harbor at Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Resolution 11 Stat. 144 8 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 8.] A Resolution *relating to the Appropriation for the Improvement of the Harbor at Sheboygan, Wisconsin.* May 12, 1856. Whereas, by act of Congress entitled “An act making appropriations for Preamble.1852. ch. 104.Vol. x. p. 58.the improvement, of certain harbors and rivers,” approved August thirtieth, eighteen hundred and fifty-two, the sum of ten thousand dollars was appropriated for the improvement of the harbor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and whereas, the city and county of Sheboygan have from time to time made appropriations for the improvement of said harbor to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, to be expended by commissioners appointed by said State; and whereas it is desirable that said appropriations should be expended under one direction, therefore— Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Improvement of Sheboygan harbor.
That after the Secretary of War shall have settled and paid all just charges existing against the said appropriation of ten thousand dollars, the balance thereof, together with all tools, implements, materials, and other property whatsoever, belonging to the United States and used in improving the said harbor, shall be transferred and turned over by the said Secretary of War to the commissioners for the improvement of the said harbor,appointed by the State of Wisconsin; Proviso.*Provided,* That the said commissioners shall first give satisfactory security to the Secretary of War for tire faithful expenditure of the money in the improvement of the said harbor.
Approved, May 12, 1856. [No. 9]: for the Statistics of the Coastwise Commerce to be included hereafter in the Annual Reports of the Secretary of the Treasury on Commerce and Navigation. Resolution 11 Stat. 144 9 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 9.] Joint Resolution *for the Statistics of the Coastwise Commerce to be included hereafter in the Annual Reports of the Secretary of the Treasury on Commerce and Navigation.* May 14, 1856.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Statistics of coastwise commerce to be annually reported. That the Secretary of the Treasury in bis annual reports on commerce and navigation hereafter to be made to Congress, cause to be stated the kinds, quantities, and value of the merchandize entered and cleared coastwise into and from the collection districts of the United States, and the said Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to make all rules and orders necessary to carry into effect the object of this resolution.
Approved, May 14, 1856. [No. 10]: for enlarging the Custom-House, Post-Office, and Court-House at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Resolution 11 Stat. 144 10 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 10.] Joint Resolution *for enlarging the Custom-House, Post-Office, and Court-House at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.* May 15, 1856.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Extension of public buildings at Milwaukee. That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized to extend the building now in process of construction at Milwaukee, for a custom-house, post-office, court-rooms, &c., not exceeding twenty-five feet in length, and erect proper vaults therein, if, in his discretion, the public interest requires the same: *Provided,* That such extension can be completed at an expense not exceeding thirty-three thousand dollars, including the ten per cent, for contingencies, which sum, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money remaining in the treasury not otherwise appropriated: *And provided further,* That no money shall be paid under this joint resolution until the Secretary of the Treasury shall contract for the completion of said building so extended at a cost within the sum heretofore and hereby appropriated.
Approved, May 15, 1856. [No. 14]: authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the Plan of the Custom-House at Ellsworth, Maine. Resolution 11 Stat. 145 14 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Res. 14, 17, 18. 1856. 145 [No. 14.] A Resolution *authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the Plan of the Custom-House at Ellsworth, Maine.* Aug. 1, 1856.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the TreasuryModification of plan of custom-house at Ellsworth, Me. be and hereby is authorized to modify the plan of the custom-house in process of construction at Ellsworth, Maine, provided the increased expense by so doing, shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars. and said sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury for that purpose: *Provided, *That none of the money hereby appropriated, shall be used until the Secretary of the Treasury has contracted for the completion of the said work for the sums hereby and heretofore appropriated.
Approved, August 1, 1856. [No. 17]: extending the Time for the Creditors of Texas to present their Claims. Resolution 11 Stat. 145 17 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 17.] Joint Resolution *extending the Time for the Creditors of Texas to present their Claims.* Aug. 18, 1856. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That as agreeably to the provisionsExtension of time to present Texas claims. of the fourth section of the act of twenty-eighth February, eighteen hundred and fifty-five, “to provide for the payment of such creditors of the late republic of Texas as are comprehended in the act of Congress1855, ch. 129.Vol. x. p. 617. of September nine, eighteen hundred and fifty,” notice by public advertisement was duly given for the space of ninety days, by the Secretary of the Treasury, of the time at which payments of the amount appropriated by the fifth section of said act would be made pro rata, on any bond, certificate, or evidence of debt of said State, which should be presented at the Treasury Department thirty days preceding the thirteenth day of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-six, the limit of said notice; and as it is represented by the said Secretary of the Treasury, that of said bonds, certificates, and evidences of debt, which have been recognized by the State of Texas, the same, equal to the sum of three hundred and eighty-nine thousand six hundred and ninety-three dollars and seven cents were not presented to the Treasury Department prior to the said thirteenth of June;
Therefore, in order to do full justice to the holders of said debt, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to pay to the holders of any of the said bonds, certificates, or evidences of debt not presented before the thirteenth day of June last, who may present and prove the same at the Treasury Department between the thirteenth day of June last and the first day of January next, and execute the proper releases to the United States and the State of Texas, their pro rata share of the said seven millions sevenRepealed.*Post*, p. 258. hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and after payment thereof, the said Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and required to distribute and pay the residue of the said seven millions seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars then remaining in the treasury, pro rata amongst all the said holders, who may have proved their claims and executed the proper releases on or before the first day of January next.
Approved, August 18, 1856. [No. 18]: giving an increased Compensation to all Laborers in the Employment of the Executive and Legislative Departments of the Government in the City of Washington. Resolution 11 Stat. 145 18 Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 2 public [No. 18.] Joint Resolution *giving an increased Compensation to all Laborers in the Employment of the Executive and Legislative Departments of the Government in the City of Washington.* Aug. 18, 1856.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That instead of the compensationMessengers in departments and bureaus, their pay.*Post*, pp. 242, 243. now allowed by law, there shall be one principal messenger in each of the offices of the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Interior, War, and Navy, Postmaster-General, and Attorney-General, at an annual salary of nine hundred dollars, and one principal messenger in each of the Bureaus of the several Executive Departments, at an annual salary of 146THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Res. 18. 1856.eight hundred and forty dollars each, and all other messengers or assistant messengers, now authorized by law to be employed in said departments, shall receive an annual salary of seven hundred dollars, and all Laborers at Washington in departments and on public grounds, pay of.laborers in the employment of the government, in the Executive Departments and on the public grounds, in the city of Washington, shall receive an annual salary of six hundred dollars each, from and after the first day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-six; and such sum, in addition to the Appropriation therefor.appropriations otherwise provided, as may be required to pay the same, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved, August 18, 1856. 34 2 1855 1856 147 PUBLIC ACTS OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES, *Passed at the second session,**For the proclamation calling this session of Congress, see Appendix. Proclamation, No. 47, *post*, p. 794. which was begun and holden at the City of Washington., in the District of Columbia, on Thursday, the twenty-first day of August, 1856, and ended Saturday, the thirtieth day of August, 1856*. Franklin Pierce, President. Jesse D. Bright, President of the Senate, *pro tempore*.
Nathaniel P. Banks, Jun., Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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Chapter CLXXII
*to continue the Land Offices at Vincennes, Indiana, and to ascertain and adjust the Titles to certain Lands in the States of Indiana and Illinois, formerly included within the Vincennes Land District.* Aug. 18, 1856
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