Carroll County, Indiana - Physical Geography, 1882 (part 1 of 2)

Physical Geography

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. An Epitome of Geological Fokmations - Stuatifioation of Rocks in Their Ordek Above the Huronian - Classification AND DiVLSION INTO OKDEKS - SOME OF THE DI.STINGUISH-

IT is the generally accepted opinion among geologists of the present day, that the central portion of the earth was at one period at least in its history a mass of^ molten matter, which, in the process of ages, from atmospheric or other influences, became incrusted, thus forming the basis of what is Imowu as the ancient life or Paleozoic Period. This primary rock formation is sometimes designated as the Igneous or Plutonic, underlying the Aqueous or sedimentary rocks. It would seem fi-om this arrangement that those primary rocks were submerged in water, since the class known as sedimentary appear to have been formed by deposits of sediment derived fi-om particles, the waste of contiguous rocks. The process of deposit being gi-adual, there were fossils mingled with other sedimentaiy matter brought in contact; hence, rocks of this class are recognized as of the fossiliferous formation, as are all those of subsequent origin in which fossilized substances are found. By the classification of these ancient life forms, geologists are enabled to determine and distinguish the class of rocks in which they are found from other classes, wherein similar fossiliferous remains are not found. The classes with which we are to deal in discussing the evidences of geological formations peculiar to the State of Indiana, according to the accepted order of stratification, will be designated as the Lower Silurian and Upper Silurian, so named by Sir Roderick Murchison, and applied by him to a series of strata lying below the old red sandstone, and occupying districts in "Wales and its borders, which were at one time inhabited by the Silures, a tribe of ancient Britons; the Lower and Upper Devonian, so designated because of the prevalence of rocks of that class in Devonshire, England; and the Carboniferous, embracing the subearboniferous limestones and sandstones, the millstone grit and coal measure.

Dr. Owen, in his report of geological reconnaissance in the State of Indiana in ISnO and 1860, speaking of the foimation of the primary rocks, says: "It is generally supposed that the first film, or inner portion of the earth's crust, consists of rocks which resulted from cooling after being in a molten condition, somewhat like the slack we see thi'own from large furnaces, having either a solid, crystalline structure, or a porous, spongy appearance. These hypogene (nether- formed) or igneous or crystalline rocks, although constituting probably the inner film, and thus deriving their origin deep in the earth, may, in consequence of internal commotion and expansion, either raise portions of the superincumbent aqueous rocks, or even break through and pour over them. This may take place after deposition of the paleozoic (older) sedimentary rocks, also called primai'y fossiliferous, or of the middle-aged (mesozoic) rocks, called secondary, or even during part of the cainozoie age, which embraces the tertiary or modern 'epochs. Thus these eruptive rocks, such as granite and basalt, may be called primary granite, secondary gi-anite, tertiary basalt, etc., according to the period at which they biu'st through the earth's crust.

"Allusion has already been made to the fact that these igneous rocks have at various periods burst through the sedimentary rocks, in consequence of internal action, thereby disturbing considerable areas of these aqueous deposits, usually elevating most the portions nearest to the igneous upheaving soui'ce. Sometimes eruptive rocks thus breaking tlu'ough may rise to form the highest mountains, and the higher they rise the greater the angle or inclination, or dip, they will give to the originally horizontal aqueous deposits tlu'ough which they break. Sometimes the igneous rocks are elevated sufliciently to distiu'b these horizontal sedimentary strata, yet without breaking through the crust in such a manner as to be detected anywhere on the surface." These upheavals from localities more or less remote, rising above and breaking through tho sedimentary strata, leave valleys, or basins, between. " When this is the case with a bed of rocks, geologists term their' first appearance on the sm-face, the ])rolonged line of which would run into the sky, the 'outcrop" of those rocks." The original surface of Indiana has been affected by some of these phenomena, as will appear in what follows. " In Indiana we have usually a gentle westerly dip, sometimes a little north of west, sometimes south of west, and occasionally west of south. The dip or variation of the rocks forms a true horizontal line, estimated by their disappearing under the surface of the water in descending the Wabash, the fall of the river being known, appears to be commonly only a few feet in a mile, although occasionally as high as two degrees; while some rare local or partial dips are as high in Indiana as forty-five degi'ees." Of the aqueous or sedimentary rocks, those within the State are thus divided: The Lower Silurian are chiefly found in the southeastern counties ; the Upper Silurian extend from these southeastern counties over most of the north and northwest, although partially concealed by drift; the Devonian has the same direction, but occupies a less extensive area, and somewhat more southerly than the Upper Silurian; the, subcarbonifeious sandstones and limestones extend fi-om Floyd and HaiTison Counties, in a belt thirty or fortv miles wide, to Tijijjecanoe County, and thence under the di'ift probably to Lake Michigan. The coal mbasure embraces a large proportion of the southwestern part of the State, extending, though in a limited measure, as far north as Carroll and White Counties. The northern and central portions of the State are embraced in the drift area, the deposits of which it is made iip, in some portions, being found at the depth of from sixty to ninety feet. In this drift, considerable deposits of gold have been found toward the center and southwestern portions of the State.

" Starting fi-om the highest levels in the State, whence our largest streams take their origin, and passing gradually from these geologically low formations (the Lower and then 'Upper_Silurian), to the Devonian regions, topographically lower, although geologically higher, and thence to the subcarboniferous limestones and sandstones, which disappear under the true coal measiu-e, we thus reach finally ova valuable coal deposits. This coal-bearing formation is the uppermost and last true geological deposit in Indiana (if we consider the di-ift, as some avithors do, too partial and erratic to be classed as such), but topographically the lowest, as indicated by the convergence of the Ohio and Wabash, until the latter empties into the former in the extreme southwest corner of oiu- State. Each geological formation has its marked differences of soil, forest growth, and adaptation for peculiar agricultural products, as well as its varying materials for the construction of works of art, buildings, bridges, roads, pottery, etc."

While fossils indicative of a certain geological formation, as the Upper Silurian, particularly in the beds of water courses, the soil may have been chiefly the result of the decomposition of original overlying Devonian shales, thereby imparting to the county agriculuu'al and other features more nearly allied to Devonian than to Upper Silurian regions. For similar reasons, although Upper Silui-ian rocks are foimd on the Wabash at Delphi and Logans- ^ort, yet Can-oil and Cass Counties are properly embraced under the head of Devonian, because in the former the black shales constitute the great plateau, and the upland of the latter Devonian limestone is abundantly indicated by its fossils.

" Eight of the southeastern counties are situated in this lower subdivision of the Silurian system, viz., Wayne, Union, Fayette, Franklin, Dearborn, Kiple.y, Ohio and Switzerland. Several adjoining counties exhibit, at deep natural or artificial cuts, this Lower Silurian fonnation, especially Jefferson County, also the eastern parts of Decatur, Rush, and probably Henry, besides the southern portion of Randolph." The soils in this formation are ascertained to be usually rich in the lime and phosphoric acid so necessary for the gi-owth and filling-out of small gi-ain and grasses, to an extent that such lands were more likely to remain permanently productive than some rich black soils, deficient in these inorganic ingredients. In consideration of the (piality of the soil thus indicated, containing a large proportion of clay derived from marlites, beech timber is very abundant in the Lower Siliurian eouuties, sometimes the prevailing forest growth. Apple and other fruit trees generally prove, by the analysis of their ashes, that they demand considerable quantities of lime to promote and sustain a healthy growth.

Upper Siluhian

" Eighteen counties may be assigned to this second section, as deriving the character of their soil chiefly from the disintegration of the Upper Silurian rocks, viz., Adams, Wells, Himtington, Wabash, Miami, Jay, Blackford, Grant, Howard, Delawai-e, Madison, Randolph, Henry, Hancock, Rush, Decatiir, Jennings and

The same foi'mation extends in a northwest direction under the drift, to Lake Michigan, probably through Lake, Newton, White, Porter, Stark, Pulaski, Cass, La Porte, Marshall, Kosciusko, Whitley, and perhaps others. The soils in this formation are chiefly derived from the shales and earthy layers of the sandstones and limestones, and are probably less productive. Where, however, the intermediate limestones come to the surface and mingle thei^-^_debris with those of the upper and lower rocks, the stiff clays become capable of beai'ing excellent wheat crops. Prof. Hall remarks, speaking of the Onondaga Salt group: " The soil derived from the decomposition of the rocks of this group, and those of the Niagara group, ai'e among the most fertile in the United States."

Devonian System

The greater portion of the following counties are so characterized as to rank in the Devonian system, viz. : Cass, Carroll, Tipton, Hamilton, Shelby, Bartholomew, Jackson, Scott and Clai'ke. The soils resulting from the disintegi-ation of the Indiana Devonian rocks are generally of excellent quality, though occasionally varying in character, from the proximity of the formations. The agricultural products in this geological era are small gi-ains and grasses rather than Indian corn, though in some localitieslhis latter product is cultivated quite successfully. Beech timber is the prevailing growth, particularly on the clay soils, resulting from the disintegration of the ahuainous shales; yet sugar tree, black and white walnut, ash, with some buckeye and'>-wild cherry, are very abundant in various parts of the formation.

" The following counties in Indiana are considered as chiefly characterized by the sub-carboniferous sandstone and shales : Tippecanoe, Clinton, Boone, Hendricks, Johnson, Morgan, Brown, Washingion and Floyd. The soil resulting fi-om the disintegration of sandstone, and somewhat aluminous shales, might naturally be expected to be rather cold where the shales predominated, as well as too thin and light where the detritus of the sandstone was the chief ingredient of the soil. This is undoubtedly, to some extent, the ease, but, generally speaking, the two are blended, and sometimes the modifying proximity of the not far distant limestone, or the natural top-di-essing of quatemai'y deposits, bringing clay, gravel, decomposed bowlders, some of them rich in magnesia, lime, the alkalies and oxide of iron, forms a vai'ied soil, well adapted for most agricultural purposes." Where there are defects in the composition of the soil of the character named, an artificial top-dressing of lime or plaster would be found to be an improvement in its quality, as well as inexpensive. Oak, elm and poplar ai-e most common on the higher sandstone knobs, while in less elevated or more clayey portions, beech, sugar tree, walnut and ash are most generally found: indeed, the qualities and quantities of timber in different regions vary according to the presence or absence of characterizing elements in the producing soil.

In the sub-carboniferous limestone formations, the following counties may bo placed: The greater portions of Montgomery, Putnam, Monl'oe, Lawrence, Orange, HaiTison and Crawford, adjacent counties being more or less affected. The decomposition of these limestones, with their intercolated sandstones and aluminous shales, produces a very favorable admixtm-e for most agricultural products. Generally, the soil seems to be well adapted to the production of small grains and grasses; hence, we see in these counties fine cereals, luxm'iant meadows and picturesque pastures.

Coal Measure

Warren, Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Clay, Vigo, Owen, Greene, Sullivan, Martin, Daviess, Knox, Dubois, Pike, Gibson, Perry, Spencer, Warrick, Vanderbiargh and Posey Counties belong to the coal measure area jiroper, while workable seams of coal are found in Harrison, Crawford, Orange and Putnam Counties. The gi'owth of timber in this formation is various ; but perhaps there is in the uplands a gi-eater predominance of oak, and proportionately less Vieech, than/ in other systems. The prairies are chiefly in the coal measm-e, especially those of WaiTen, Fountain, Vigo, Sullivan and Knox Counties.

In The Dkii'T Formation

In the drift formation, Steuben, La Grange, Elkhart, St. Joseph's, La Porte, Porter, Lake, De Kalb, Noble, Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke, Jasper, Nevrton, Alien, Whitley, Fulton, Pulaski, White and Benton Counties are located. The diversity of material brought during this period, and scattered, as it were, broadcast over the secondary rooks or the detrital remains, of necessity produces a remarkably rich and fertile soil. From the great quantity of argillaceous shales and disintegrating bowlders, in which alumina is prominent, a mixed soil is produced, well adapted to the cultivation of wheat, rye, timothy, clover and potatoea Corn is likewise gi-own, but less extensively than in the more arenaceous Wabash bottoms

In some of the northern counties of the State,- there is abundance of fine timber, especially white oak, with some beech and sugar tree; and, toward the lakes, cedars, pines and tamaracks and alders. In other portions, especially where prairies occupy a very extensive area, there is no timber, except in some instances, where groves of oak are found in the midst of those grassy plains. At most places in these prairies, water can be obtained by digging a moderate distance ; sometimes, however, through clay beds one or two hundred feet deep, when strata of sand are reached, an abundant supply of good water is found. Along the valley of the head-waters of the Elkhart Kiver, beech, sugar tree, black and white walnnt, cheiTy, oak (white, black and red), are found, of vigorous growth and of ample dimensions. The poplar (tulip tree) is also found in the same locality.

Arch-Eology

ARCH-EOLOGY. Pre-Historic Remains - Their Character - Where Situated AND Their Use - The MorND Builders- Who Were Tiiey and What Became of Them.

THE consideration of the question involved in the title of this article has of late become one of absorbing interest, and the investigations pertinent to the issue have in the recent past engaged, and do now command, the energies of the best class of minds having a penchant for researches among the rains of a lost race. Half a century ago, little was known or cared for concerning the existing evidences of a pre-existing people endowed with many of the elements of genius, well developed in the remains so mmierously found along the valleys of the principal rivers of Indiana, Ohio and others of the Middle and Western States. " These remains," says a recent wi-iter, " have been carefully examined, and, after long and patient investigations, the ai-ehseologist has arrived at certain definite conclusions, and so apparently accurate are they that we may safely say that we are veiy well acquainted with the lost race. By what aj)pellation they were known dm-ing their existence is [yet] past finding out. They have been called Mound-Builders, on account of the innumerable mounds which they erected, imd which remained imtil the advent of the white man."* So numerous are these remains that in Ohio alone there are not less than thirteen thousand, including both mounds and inclosm-es. Within a radius of fifty miles fi'om the mouth of the Illinois Kiver, in the State of Illinois, there are about five thousand mounds." The extent and variety of these in the State of Ohio would seem to indicate that there the country was most densely populated by them, and certainly not without a pm'pose, since the regions so generally occupied by them, consisting of a gi'eat system of plains, seems well adapted to the wants of a people apparently accustomed to agricultvual pursuits, who therefore exercised great foresight and wisdom in selecting and occupying such a locality. " The whole country affords a perfect system of navigation. The Alleghany rises on the bordera of Lake Erie, at an elevation of nearly seven himdred feet above the level of the lake, and one thousand three himdred feet above the sea. A boat may start from within seven miles of Lake Erie, and almost in sight of Buffalo, and float down the Connewango, or Cassadaga, to the Alleghany, thence into the Ohio, and finally into the Gulf of Mexico, the whole distance being 2,400 miles. Add to this the great uatm-al advantages, and the fact that this is pre-eminently the garden spot of North America, with almost innmnerable other considerations, we may be able to judge of the wisdom of the Mound-Builders."

The following description of the general classes of these remains, copied fi-om McLean's " Mound-Builders," will be found of interest as giving the most recent expose of the situation:

" The ancient remains composed of works of eai-th and stone natm-ally divide themselves into two general classes, viz., inclosures and mounds; and these again embrace a variety of works divers in foi-m and designed for different purposes. The first is characterized by being bounded by embankments, circumvallations, or walls, and include fortifications or strongholds, sacred inclosiu'es and numerous miscellaneous works, mostly symmetrical in structure. Under the second head we have the true mound buildings, which constitute one general or single system of works, and include what has been specially designated sacrificial, temple, sepulchral, symbolical and anomalous."

The inclosures. to the general observer, form the most interesting class of these remains. They are massive, sometimes of great dimensions, and required great labor in their construction. Their number is great, Ohio alone containing over one thousand five himdi'ed of them. They are composed of clay, sometimes of stone, the walls having a height ranging from thi-ee feet to thirty, and inclosing areas from one acre to fom- hundred. Inclosm-es of fi-om one to fifty acres are common; of two hundi-ed acres, not infi-equent; and of greater extent, only occasionally met with.

" A large proportion of the inclosures are I'egular in outline, being constructed in the form of a square, circle, parallelogram, ellipse and polygon - the fii'st two predominating. The regularly formed works occur on the level river terraces, and the irregular works, being used as a place of defense, are made to conform to the natiu-e of the brows of the hills upon which they are situated. The square and circle frequently occur in combination, and are either directly connected with the other, or else by avenues in- closed by parallel walls. Nearly all the embankments give evidence of having been hilly completed. A few remain which were left in an unfinished state. The walls are usually accompanied by a ditch, either interior or exterior to the embankment. From the ditch the earth was taken for the foundation of the walls. Where the ditch does not occiu', pits or excavations are usually found in the immediate vicinity."

Defensive Inclosures

Of the several classes of inclosures, those located and erected for purposes of defense are perhaps the most important, and involve a higher degree of skill in their construction. These were generally situated upon bluffs or hilltops overlooking settlements in the adjacent valleys. Sites for works of their character are sometimes surrounded by deep raviues, difficult of ascent on three sides. Many of them, also, are on isolated hills, with broad and level summits, presenting all the requisites of a stronghold. When such sites are adjacent to an extensive valley, the works erected thereon appear to have been of more elaborate construction, with best adaptation to the pm-poses of defense, and exhibit superior military skill, the sides most exposed to attack and approaches being protected by trenches and overlapping walls more or less numerous, according to circumstances, the trenches being usually found on the exterior of the walls. Not unfrequently, the gateways, situated at the jjoints most easy of approach, are guarded by a series of overlapping walls, sometimes with a mound accompanying, which rises above the rest of the works, designed, perhaps, for the double purpose of observation and defense.

Sacked Inclosures

These works are generally regulai' in structure, and usually found in groups. While the military inclosures were uniformly situated on elevated positions, on bluffs and hills, the sacred inclosures occupied the lower and more level river bottoms, seldom or never upon the table-lands, where the surface is broken. Those of a circular form are generally small, having nearly a uniform diameter of from two hundred and fiftf to tlu-ee huudi'ed feet, the larger ones sometimes reaching more than a mile in circumference. The gateways to these inclosures usually face toward the east, In the immediate vicinity of the larger circles, small ones, varying from thirty to fifty feet in diameter, consisting of a high embankment and no gateway, are quite numerous. Compared with the walls of defensive inclosures, the walls of those approju'iated to sacred pm'poses ai-e comparatively slight, ranging from three to seven feet, occasionally, however, reaching a height of thirty feet. The walls are composed of surface material and clay. These works, many of them, are accompanied by jiarallel walls of slight elevation, while others are more elaborate, sometimes reaching the length of SOO feet. In form, some of these works combine the square, circle, ellipse, octagon, also parallel walls in their construction. A description of such a system of works, however, would be of too great length to be practicable m a volume of this magnitude. An excellent example of such a combination may be found at the junction of the South and Raccoon Forks of Licking River, near Newark, Ohio, and " Wilson's Pro-Historic Man " contains an account, in descriptive detail, to which reference may be made. A very satisfactory descrii)tion is found, also, in "McLean's Mound-Builders."

" The mounds proper form an interesting feature of these ancient remains; they have been carefully studied, and are midoitbtedly of as much importance to the archfeologist as the inclosures. Among the people generally who live within the vicinity of the earth-works, the moimds are better known than the inclosures. On inquiring for the latter, great difficulty is often experienced in finding it, while almost any one could readily point out the mounds," which are more numerous. Works of this class vary in dimensions from a few feet in height and a few yards in diameter to ninety feet in height and covering several acres at the base. Usually, they range fi-om six to thirty feet in perpendicular height, by forty to one hundi-ed feet base diameter. Common earth is found generally to be the composition of these mounds, though not infrequently they are composed chiefly of stone. Again, they are found entirely of clay, while the material around is gravel or loam. The purposes for which mounds were erected were various, depending very much upon their location. Sometimes they are found on hills or higher elevations, and occupying commanding positions. Generally, they are within or near inclosures, sometimes in groups, again detached and isolated.

Temple Mounds

A distinguishing feature of this clasi of mounds is their great regularity of form and large dimensions. They are chiefly truncated pyramids, having gi-aded avenues or spiral pathways to their summits. Some ai'e round, others square, oblong, oval or octagonal. Generally, they are high, yet in some instances thej' are elevated a few feet only, while covering many acres of ground. Another feature is, they are almost Liniformly smTounded by embankments and ditches. In some instances, also, they are terraced, having successive stages. But, whatever their form, they invariably have flat or level tops, which were probably crowned with temples, but, being composed of perishable material, all traces of them have long since disappeared from view. The opinion is entertained, too, by some careful observers, that these temple mounds were frequently used for sepulchral piu'poses, and many instances are cited where vast quantities of hmuan skeletons have been found, " The Grave Creek Mound, which is in the form of a tnincated cone - the flattened area on the top being fifty feet in diameter, and therefore coming under the classification of temple mounds - was found to inclose two vaults, originally constructed of wood, which contained human skeletons."*

" The truncated pyramid,'' says the same writer, " is among the strongest links in the chain which connects the ancient inhabitants of the Mississippi Valley with those of Mexico and Central America. In the rude earth-works we see the germ of the idea which was subsequently wi'ought out in proportions of beauty and harmony, giving origin to a unique style of architecture,"

Sepulchral Mounds

Descriptively, these generally consist of a simple knoll or group of knolls, of no considerable height, without an}' definite arrangement, " Examples of this chai'acter may be seen at Dubu(jue, Merom, Chicago and La Porte, which, on exploration, have yielded skulls differing widely from the Indian type. It often happens that, in close proximity to a large structure, there is an inconsiderable one, which will be found rich in relics." In shape, they are usually conical, but frequently are elliptical or pearshaped, from six feet to eighty in height, averaging from fifteen to twenty-five feet in altitude, and ai'e situated outside the walls of inclosues, at distances more or less remote. As a rule, when -I numl)er of these mounds are found connected, one of the gi'oup is uniformly two or three times larger in dimensions than any of the others, the smaller arranged around the larger at its base, indicating an intimate relation between them. Such mounds invariably cover a skeleton, sometimes more than one, near the original surface of the soil.

Sacrificial Mounds

This class, as compai'ed with others, possesses many distinguishing features, one of which is that they are invariably situated within the inclosiu-es, or in the immediate vicinity. They are regularly constructed with unifonn layers of gi'avel, earth and sand, alternately, in strata conformable to the shape of the mound, and covered by a sjiometrical altar of biu'nt clay or stone, upon which numerous relics are found - in all instances exhibiting traces of having been subjected to the action of tli-e. These altars are carefully formed, varying both in size and shape, some being round, while others are elliptical, others, again, being in the form of squai'es or jjarallelograms, In size, they vai'y fi-om two to fifty feet by twelve or fifteen; usually, however, they are from five to eight feet. They ai-e modeled fi-om fine clay, and usually rest upon the original siu-face. In a few instances, they have been foimd with a layer or small elevation of sand imder them. Their height seldom exceeds a foot or twenty inches above the adjacent level. Upon the altare have been found calcined human bones, elaborate carvings in stone, ornaments cut in mica, copper instruments, discs, and tubes, pearl and shell beads, pottery, spearheads, etc."*

In this day of ethmological investigations, when so much has been developed concerning the mysterious works of a race of people, who, in the remote past, erected, occupied and maintained them, the inquiry naturally suggests itself, " "Who and whence came they, and whither did they go?" All these investigations, while they elicit an interest sufficient to maintain a healthy progress in the work, awaken new zeal and induce gi'eater activity in the pursuit of additional information. Such interest is only equaled by the importance of the object to be attained. Great diversity of opinion and much-leai'ned discussion have been the result With all this diversity, however, there are some points upon which little difference of opinion obtains. One of these points is involved in the answer to the query, "Whence came they?'' It is now generally accepted by ethnologists that this peojile migi-ated from the region of the tropics, where these moniunental remains most numerously abound. The status of this branch of the incjuiiy is well presented in the following extract ti'om Baldwin's "Ancient .\merica:"

" They were unquestionably American aborigines, and not immigi'ants from another continent. That appears to me the most reasonabln suggestion which assumes that the Mound-Builders came originally from Mexico and Central America. It explains many facts connected with their remains. In the great valley, their most populous settlements were at the South. Coming from Mexico and Central America, they would begin their settlements on the gulf coast, and afterward advance gradually vxp the river to the Ohio Valley. It seems evident that they came by this route, and their remains show that their only connection with the coast was at the South. Their settlements did not reach the coast at any other point.

" Their constructions were similar in design and an'angemeut to those found in Mexico and Central America. Like the Mexicans and Central Americans, they had mimy of the smaller structures, known as feocaUitf, and also liu-ge, high mounds, with level summite, reached by great flights of steps. Pyramidal platforms or foundations for important edifices appear in both regions, and are very lauch alike. In Central America, important edifices were built of hewn stone, and can still be examined in their ruins. The Mound-Builders, like some of the ancient people of Mexico and Yucatan, used wood, sun-dried brick, or some other material that could not resist decay. There is evidence that they used timber for building purposes. In one of the mounds opened in the Ohio Valley, two chambers were found, with remains of the timber of which the walls were made, and with arched ceilings, precisely like those in Central Amei'ica, even to the overtopping stone. Chambers have been foimd in some of the Central American and Mexican moiuids, Init there hewn stones were used for the walls. In both regions, the elevated and terraced foundations remain, and can be compared. I have already called attention to the close resemblance between them, but the fact is so important in any endeavor to explain the Mound-Builders that I must briug it to view here.

" Consider, then, that elevated and terraced foundations for important buildings are peculiar to the ancient Mexicans and Central Americans; that this method of constnietion, which, with them, was the rule, is foimd nowhere else, save that terraced elevations, carefully constructed, and precisely like theirs in foi-m and appeai-ance, occupy a chief place among the remaining works of the Mound- Builders. The use made of these foundations at Paleuque, Uxmal and Chicken- Itza, shows the purpose for which they were constructed in the Mississippi Valley. The resemblance is not due to chance."

" A very large proportion of the old structiu-es in Ohio and farther south, called "mounds," namelj-, those which are low in proportion to their horizontal extent, are terraced foundations for buildings, and, if they were situated in Yucatan, Guatemala and Southern Mexico, they would never be mistaken for anything else. The high mounds, also, in the two regions, are remarkably alike. In both cases, they are pyramidal in shape, and have level summits of considerabie extent, which were reached by stairways on the outside. ^^\\ these mounds were constructed for religious uses, and they are, in their way, as much alike as any five Gothic churches."'*

From these statements, and similar opinions expressed by other eminent archseologists, it. may be safely assumed, for the piUTJose of this work, that the Mound- Builders were offshoots of the original projectors and builders of those structures so numerously found in Central America, who emigrated northward through Mexico, Texas and the Mississippi Valley. This is indicated very plainly in the tracings of their route tlu-ough these countries. Other evidences of intercommunications are shown by the fact that the obsidian dug fi-om these mounds in the Ohio Valley is only found in the mines of Mexico, and must have been brought hence as an article of commerce.

This question can only be answered iuferentially, since we have no direct information on the subject. If we take those inferences, drawn fi-om apparently legitimate som-ces, the conclusion may be arrived at, with a fair degree of certainty, that they probably retm-ned southward, but under what circumstances is conjectui-al also. " Civilization, as a rule, radiates from a center," says the author of " Pre-Historic Man," and when, from anj' cause, it fades out, it contracts upon the center. Now, the vast stone temples and palaces of Central America are at least as old as the mounds of the United States. Central America was, then, relatively, the birth-place and center of American aboriginal civilization. The influence spread northward to the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. So the Mound-Builders appear to have receded fi-om the lakes to the south.

" The existing remains show they had, north of the Ohio Kiver, a strong line of fortresses along the Great Miami fi-om its mouth to Piqua, with advanced works near Oxford and Eaton, and with a massive work in rear of this line, on the Little Miami at Fort Ancient. There was another line crossing the Scioto Valley at Chillicothe, and extending west of the valley of Paint Creek. These seem to have constituted a line of permanent defense.

" Their situations were well chosen, were naturally very strong, and were fortified with great labor and some skill. Such works, if defended, could not have been taken by assault by any means the natives possessed, and they were so constructed as to contain a supply of water. They would be abandoned until the nations that held them were broken. When these were abandoned, there was no retreat except across the Ohio. South of the Ohio, in Kentucky and Tennessee, there are many works of defense, but none possessing the massive character of permanent works like the Ohio system. They are comparatively temporary works, thrown up for an exigency - are morever isolated, not forming, as in Ohio, a connected system. They are such works as a people capable of putting up the Ohio forts might erect, while being gradually pushed south, and fighting an invader from the Northor Northwest. South of the Tennessee River, the indications are different. We miss there the forts that speak of prolonged and obstinate conflict. And we find among the tribes, as they were when first discovered, lingering traces of what we have called characteristic traits of the Mound-Builders."*

From what has been already stated, it requires no^ profound observation nor exquisite judgment to understand what became of this people north of the Ohio. Every indication shows that they were expelled from the territory by force. Being harassed by the inroads of warlike bands, they erected strong fortifications as places of safety and retreat during the predatory visits of these hostiles. They erected mounds for observation on eligible points, and, when surprise was imminent, they established lines of signal posts, upon which beacon fires were kindled and the people warned of the enemy's approach. These moimds of observation, or signal posts, indicate the direction whence came the enemy. On the projecting highlands bordering the Great and Little Miami Rivers are numerous small mormds, well adapted to pui'- poses- of ob.-iervation, and, in addition to these, a similar series of them is found along the Scioto, across Ross County and extending down into Pike "and Pickaway Counties, and so situated that, in a few minutes, intelligence of an approaching enemy could be flashed from Delaware County to Portsmouth.

" From time immemorial, there has lioen immigration into Mexico from the North. One type after another has followed. In some cases, different branches of the same family have successively followed one another. Before the Christian Era, the Nahoa immigration from the North made its appearance. They wore the founders of the stone- works in Northern Mexico. Certain eminent scientists have held that thi^ Nahoas l)c'lniig(>d to tlu' race that made the mounds of the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys. Following this people came the Toltecs, and with them, light begins to dawn upon aacient Mexican migration. They were cultivated, and constituted a branch of the Nahoa family."*

As to the time when the Toltecs entered Mexico, there is a gi-eat diversity of opinion among scientists, but it is generally conceded that it was generally at a vei-y remote period - as early as the seventh century. In the light of modem discovery and scientific investigations, we are able to follow the Mound- Builders. We first found them in Ohio, engaged in tilling the soil and developing a civilization peculiar to themselves. Driven fi-om their homes, they sought an asyhun in the South, and from there they wandered into Mexico, where we begin tp learn something more definite concerning them."

THE Pt'BLIC LAND SYSTEM. The Public Dom.\in - Government Title to It - How Acquiked Thk Title Under the Confederation of States - Disposal OF Lands to Individuals - Eakly Survey.s - The Colonial System With Modifications - The Method of U. S. Government Surveys - Adoption of the Rectangular System and its Application to the Survey of Western Lands - Changes Made - Adaptation to .the Wants of Settlers - The System IN Detail - L.\ND Districts and Land Office.s - Land Sales, Their Revenues - Appropri.vtion of the Proceeds, etc.

THE public domain, as it is called, consists of the lands belonging to the General Government, as distinguished fi-om the unimproved lands belonging to the individual States or private owners. Anterior to the discovery and occupancy of the continent of America by Europeans, the title to lands embraced within the territorial area of the United States, as now recognized, was vested in the various Indian tribes and families who were then the inhabitants and occupants of this country. It would seem natm-al and proper, therefore, that they, possessing the proprietary right to the soil, should have been consulted, at least, in the transfer of these rights to others, notwithstanding the rights of discovery and of conquest by Europeans were made to supersede the rights of original possession. While the policy of making the rights of discovery sujjreme, by force, may have been in accord with the laws of civilized nations, it does not comport with the doctrines of the higher law of inherent rights, as expressed by our Revolutionary fathers in the gi-eat charter of American liberty. Having discovered the continent, and caused the light of Chi-istiau civilization, so called, to shine upon it, all other rights than those of discovery appear to have be.-^n dissipated by the benignant sunshine, and the discoverers, by assumption, took formal possession. Whether this policy was right is for the Supreme Arbiter of justice to decide. On such premises, however, in the com-se of time, liberal grants were made by the King to favored representatives, who, in his name and under his credit, discovered the continent, thus giving consequence to the acquisitions seciu-ed. These grants sometimes embraced extensive territorial areas, not infrequently including within their boundaries the aggregate area of several States, as now defined, and were in the natm'e of charters, vesting in the grantees authority to plant colonies within the limits prescribed.

On the 10th of April, 1606, James I, King of England, granted letters patent " for two several colonies and plantations, to be made in Virginia and other parts and territories of America." In this instance, the grantees, '" Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and others, of London and elsewhere, were authorized to plant their colony at any place on the Atlantic coast between the thirty-fom-th and forty-first degrees of north latitude." This grant embraced " all the lands, woods, * * * * fj-om the first seat of their plantation * * * " by the space of fifty miles of English statute measm-e, all along the coast of Virginia, toward the west and southwest, as the coast lyeth, with all the islands within 100 miles, directly over against the same coast, and, also, all the lands, soil," etc., " fi'om the said place of their first plantation and habitation for the space of fifty like English miles all along the coast of Virginia and America, toward the east and northeast or toward the north, as the coast lyeth, together with all the islands within 100 miles, directly over against the said coast; also, all the lands, woods," etc., " from the same fifty miles every way on the coast, directly into the main land, by the space of 100 like English miles." Subsequently, through the agency of similar grants of territory made to the colony of Virginia, and to other colonies and companies, the major part of all the lands comprised within the limits of the United States and Ten'itories, was acquired. By the "Articles of confederation and perpetual imion between the States," entered into at Philadelphia, on the 9th of July, 1778, each separate State retained its proprietary right to the unoccupied lauds within its borders, no title vesting in the United States by virtue of that union of States ; hence, " the uninhabited wilds lying to the west, and as yet not clearly defined by established boundaries, were claimed by the adjacent States, and portions of them by foreign nations under conflicting claims, but all subject to the paramount Indian title. The title, therefore, of the United States to that coimtry is derived: First, from treaties with foreign nations; second, fi'om treaties with the Indian tribes; and third, from cessions by individual States, members of the Union." The titles thus acquired by the United States were so acquired by the National Government in its capacity as such, chiefly since the adoption and ratification of the "more perfect union," known as the " Constitution of the United States of America " - at present existing.

" The treaties with foreign nations by which territory has been acquired are those of 1793 and 1794, with Great Britain; of 1795 and 1820, with Spain; and of 1803 with France. It is sufficient to say of these treaties that by them we acquired Louisiana and the Floridas, and extinguished all the claims of foreign nations to the immense regions lying west of the several States and extending to the Pacific Ocean." " The lands east of the Mississippi, and contained within the boundaries designated by the treaty with Great Britain of 17S3, were claimed by individual States, and the title of the United States to that ten'itory its derived fi-om cessions made by those States. These cessions embrace three distinct tracts of country: First, the whole territory north of the River Ohio and west of Pennsylvania and Virginia, extending northwardly to the northern boundary of the United States, and westwai'dly to the Mississippi, was claimed by Virginia, and that State was in possession of the French settlements of Vincennes and Kaskaskia, which she had occupied and defended dm-ing the Revolutionary war. The States of Massachusetts. Connecticut and New York set up claims to portions of the same territory - claims which, though scarcely plausible, were m-gently pressed upon the consideration of Congress. The United States, by cessions from those foiu- States, acquired an indisputable title to the whole. This tract now comprises Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Second, North Carolina ceded to the United States all her vacant lands lying west of the Alleghany Moimtains within the breadth of her charter. This territory is comprised within the State of Tennessee. Third, South Cai'olina and Georgia ceded their titles to that tract of country which now composes the States of Ala- bama and Mississippi.

" The United States having thus become the sole proprietary of what has since been called the public lands, the nation was rescued from evils of the most threatening and embarrassing aspect. The claims of foreign nations, adverse to our own, to the broadly ex- Ijanded regions lying west of the several States and extending to the Pacific, were extinguished, depriving those nations of all excuse for tampering with the Indians upon oui- border, and rescuing our frontier from the dangerous vicinity of foreign military posts. The boundaries of the then fi-ontier States were defined, and they were prevented from gi'owing to an inordinate size and acquiring an undue preponderance in the government - the interfering claims of several States to the same territory were silenced - but above all, the General Government, in acquiring the sole jiu-isdiction over the vacant lands, was enabled to establish a uniform system for their settlement, and the erection of new States. To the latter, admission into the Union upon terms of perfect equality with the older members of the confederacy was secured; while the land was offered to the settlers at a fair price, and under an unexceptionable title. The disinterested policy of the States which made these liberal cessions cannot be too highly applauded. Virginia, in particular, displayed a magnanimity which entitles her to the lasting gratitude of the American people; her territory was by far the largest, and her sacrifice to the general good the noblest. It was disinterested because she reserved no remuneration to herself."*

Under the ordinance of cession made by the State of Virginia to the United States, the following reservation was prescribed: " That the French and Canadian inhabitants, and other settlers of Kaskaskia, St. Vincents and the neighboring villages, who had professed themselves citizens of Virginia, shall have their possessions and titles confii-med to them, and be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties." In addition to this reservation, a certain quantity of lands having been promised by Virginia to Gen. George Rogers Clark, and to the officers and soldiers who served under him in the reduction of the French posts, a reservation to that effect was incorporated, for the pui'pose of fulfilling the terms of that promise. This cession was made in 1784.

By the ordinance of Congress passed in 1787 for the government of the Northwestern Territory, certain prohibitions were imposed concerning the management of the lands embraced in its provisions, among which these are the most important to the people of this locality :

" The Legislatui-es of those districts or new States shall never interfere with the primary disposition of the soil by the United States, in Congress assembled, nor in any regulations Congress fide purchasers." " No tax shall be imposed on lands the property of the United States; and in no case shall non-resident proprietors be taxed higher than residents."

in oiu' vast ten'itory have been acquired or even claimed by our Government by conquest, under the usages of war. Aside from the rights acquired by purchase or cession fi'om civilized nations under the forms of law, the Government, recognizing the existence of paramount rights inherent in the Indian tribes of this country, has uniformly consulted those tribes and procured from them, for what was accepted as a valuable consideration, under treaty stipulations, the cession of all rights vested in them. In confirmation and as illustration of this doctrine, we cite the reader to the treaty of Greenville, made by Gen. Wayne in 1795, at the head of a victorious army, with the chiefs of the tribes who had just before been vanquished by him in battle, is one of the first in date referring to the public domain, and affords sufficient evidence of the early adoption of a pacific and just policy by our Government toward the aborigines of this country. Nothing is claimed in that treaty by right of conquest The parties mutually agree upon a perpetual peace, all the questions of right having been considered and determined after mature deliberation, the Indians acknowledging themselves, also, to be under the protection of the United States, and not under any foreign power; promising, also, to sell their lands to the United States only - the latter power, on her part, guai'anteeing the protection accepted and acknowledged by the Indians themselves. In further recognition of the compact, a few necessary regulations were adopted by which the future intercourse should be governed. A boundary line was established by which the Indians confirmed to us large tracts of land, nearly all of which had been ceded to us by former treaties. In compensation for these lands, the United States agreed to pay them in goods to the value of $20,000, and to make them further payment of 19,500 annually. Most of the treaties subsequently made were framed on this model. " So far, then, as title by piu-chase could be gained, that title has been acquired by the Federal Kepublic. She has extinguished every title which could be possibly set up as adverse to her own; namely, those of foreign nations, those of Indian tribes, and those of such States as possessed or alleged tiiem; and she has confirmed to individuals every acre to which the plausible shadow of a right could be shown, either in law or equity; " and the validity of those pm'chases, or the rights acquired under them, has never been disputed.

During the existense of the Confederation of States, titles to individual and other pm-chasers were acquired through the agency of the State in which the land was situated. Since the confirmation of all titles in the General Government, pm-ohasers have derived their sole right of ownership from the United States, as the supreme authority. "In 1787, the Ohio Company purchased a large tract from Congress, which body, having adopted no system for the sale of lands, or the settlement of the Western country, seemed disposed to favor the mode of parceling out her wide domain in extensive grants. The purchase of the Ohio Company comprehended 1,500,000 of acres." In 1789, John Cleves Symmes idso contracted with Congress for the purchase of 1,000,000 acres of land between the Great and Little Miamis, but the patent subsequently issued to him and his associates included only 311,682 acres, of which only 248,540 acres became private property. At first, it appears to have been the disposition of Congress to sell large grants to single individuals, but this became unpopular because of the attempted speculation at the expense of the piu'chaser for homestead purposes, for whose interest lands were afterward sold in tracts of forty and eighty acres. To this end, IVIr. Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, in a report dated July 20, 179f), submitted for the consideration of Congi'ess these siiggestions : That no land should be sold except such in respect to which the titles of the Indian tribes shall have been previously extinguished. That convenieat tracts shall from time to time be set apart for the purpose of locations by actual settlers, in quantities not exceeding, to one person, 100 acres. The first positive step taken toward modifying the old system of selling the public lands in large quantities to Individvrals or companies, was on the 10th of May, 1800, which provided for the sale of lands in sections and half-sections. Prior to that date, no more than 121,540 acres had been sold, in addition to the Symmes purchase. Of this quantity, 72,974 acres had been disposed of at public sale in New York, in 1787, for $87,325, in evidences of public debt; 43,446 acres at public sale in Pittsburgh, in 1796, for $100,427; and 5,120 acres at Philadelphia, in the same year, at $2 per acre. The credit of taking this first step in the direction of a radical reform in disposing of those lands is due to Gen. William H. Harrison, who, in 1799, was a Delegate in Congress from the Northwestern Territory. At the session of 1799 and 1800, Gen. Harrison introduced a bill embodying the proposed provisions, and the introduction produced a sensation, showing how little thought had been bestowed upon the question of such momentous interest to the people, especially- in the new States. Members of large experience in the Legislative department of the (government felt called upon to combat the provisions of the bill antagonizing the processes before recognized in the management of the land question. Gen. Han-ison was equal to the emergency, however, and, defending it single-handed and alone, he exposed the folly and iniquity of the old system, demonstrating that it could only result to the advantage of the wealthy monopolist, while the hardy and useful population, embracing chiefly those of small means, would necessarily be exchided firom the benefits otherwise resulting to the country from the labors bestowed by the interested pioneer settler in the improvement of his homestead. Thus he triumphed, in being familiar with the logic of facts applicable to the situation, and able to present them with convincing force. The bill was passed, and became a law by the approval of the President, on the 10th of May, 1800. Thi-ough his agency, also, the provision which appropirates the one-thirty-sixth part of each Congi-essional township, since known as the 16th section, for the support of schools within the same, became a part of the fundamental law, and may be safely asserted to constitute the commencement of om' beneficent system of common schools.

"As early as 1803, petitions were presented to Congress praying for various improvements or changes in the mode of selling lands, among which the most prominent suggestions were: To soil lands in smaller tracts; to charge no interest on sales; to sell for cash; to reduce the price; and to make grants of small tracts to actual settlers. On the 24th of January, 1804, a report was made in the House of Representatives, recommending the reduction of the size of the tracts, and the sale of quaiter-sections in the townships which had before been offered in half-sections, and the sale of half -sections in those which had been offered in whole sections." These provisions, with others authorizing the sale of the public lands in tracts of ci^Klv au'l I'oily acres, eighths and sixteenths of sections, wore suIimii'I'I'II.^ i'n:ii'ti'd, enabling persons of small means, at the price lixcil, (o hccuie homesteads in these Western land districts. The result was a largely increased population of active and enterprising settlers, who, in after yeai-s, truly caused "the wilderness to bud and blossom as the ros&" The following brief outline of om- present eminently practical system of public smTeys, copied from Judge Hall's "Notes on the Western States,"

" All the lands within each disti'ict are sui'veyed before any part is oifered for sale; being actually divided into townships of six miles square, and each of these subdivided into thirty-six sections of one square mile, containing 041) acres each. All the dividing lines run according to the cardinal points, and cross each other at right angles, except where fi'actional sections are formed by large streams, or by an Indian boundary line. These sections are again divided into quarter, half-quarter and quarter-quarter sections, containing 160, 80 and 40 acres respectively, of which the lines are not actually sui'veyed, but the corners, boundaries and contents are ascertained by fixed rules, jarescribed by law. This branch of business is conducted under two principal surveyors, who appoint their own deputies. The sections in eai'h township are numbered from 1 to 36 ; the townships are placed in ranges, and also numbered. The surveys are founded upon a series of true meridians; the First Principal Meridian is in Ohio; the Second, in Indiana: the; Third, in Illinois, etc., each forming tho, base of a series of surveys, of which the lines are made to correspond, so that the whole country is at last divided into squares of one mile each, and townships of six miles each, and these subdivisions arranged with mathematical accuracy into parallel ranges.

"This system is as simple as it is, on many accounts, peculiarly happy. Disputes in relation to boundaries can seldom occur where the dividing lines can at all times be corrected by the cardinal points; where the same line, being extended throughout a whole region, is not dependent upon visible marks or corners, but can be readily ascertained at any moment by calculation and measm-ement; and where, one point being ascertained, fiu'nishes the basis for an indefinite number of surveys around it. Such lines, too, ai'e easily preserved and not readily forgotton.

"A vast deal of accurate and useful information is furnished to the public through the medium of this system. The whole surface of the country is actually siu-veyed and measiu-ed. The courses of rivers and smaller streams are accurately ascertained and measured, through all their meanders. Oiu- maps are therefore exact, and the facilities for measuring distances remarkably convenient. Many of the peculiarities of the country are discovered aud its resources pointed out in the com-se of this minute exploration; and a mass of well-authenticated facts ai-e registered in the proper department, such as the topographer can find in relation to no other country. After the land has been siu'veyed, districts are laid off, in each of which a land office is established, and, on a day appointed by the President, the whole of the land is offered at public sale, to the highest bidder; but not allowed to be sold below a certain minimum price. Such tracts as are not sold at that time may at any time afterward be pm'chased at the minimum price, at private sale. From all the sales, one-thirtysixth pari of the land, being one entire section in each township, is reserved, and given in perpetuity for the support of schools in the township. Section No. 16, which is nearly central in each township, is designated by law for that pm'pose. In each of the new States and Territories, one entire township, containing 23,- 040 acres (and in some instances two townships), has been reserved, and given in perpetuity to the State, when formed, for the support of seminaries of learning of the highest class. Five per cent on the amount of the sales within.each State is reserved, thi-ee-fifths of which is to be expended by Congress in making roads leading to the State, and two-fifths to be expended by such State in the encouragement of learning.

"The business of the laud office in each district is transacted by a Register and a Eeceiver, by the first of whom the land is sold to individual purchasers, while the other receives the money. These offices are entirely independent of each other, their duties distinct and their responsibilities separate. They are required to keep similar books of account, and to make, respectively, periodical reports to the General Land Office at Washington - the one of his sales, the other of his receipts; so that the officers operate as checks on each other; and, as neither has any pecuniary interest in the fidelity of the other, there is no temptation to collusion. They -each keep plats of all the lands in the district, sold or unsold, on which each tract is distinctly marked and numbered, so that the purchaser, in making his selection, may examine for himself. No distinction is vested in the land officers in reference to the sale; the purchaser having selected his tract, or as many tracts as he may desire, they have simply to discharge the ministerial duty of receiving the money and gi'anting the evidence of title."

United States Land Surveys

The surveys made in this country dm-ing the antecedent and colonial periods, possessed few of the elements recognized as essential in a system established and regulated by the authority of General Goverrmient, for the determination of boimdaries to homesteads and landed interests of greater area. Om- jjresent system is the legitimate outgrowth of the change of policy in the administration of public affairs called forth by the modifications in omform of government and the consequent necessities of the situa-

We have already given something of the methods prescribed by the usages of the preceding century, anterior to the organization of om- present form of government, and what came of them. The system now in use did not at once matm-e and become a perfect one, nor, indeed, is it now wholly free fi-om en-or; but, having its origin in the necessities of the times, it .was at first little more than an outline of what after contingencies deduced and gradually approached perfection conformably with suggestions of experience. The fii-st departure fi-om those ancient usages ant^ dated, somewhat, the inaugm'ation of oiu- present form of government, having been prescribed by the Confederation, on the 20th of May, 1785, in the act providing for the sm-vey of the " Western Territoiy." The ordinance directed that the said teiTitory should be divided into "townships of six miles squai'e, by lines rimning due north and south, and others crossing them at right angles." This provision constituted the basis of the present system. Instead of the iiTegular coast-line base of the eai-ly colonial period, the due east-and-west base line and standard parallels, with the principal meridians erected thereon and at right angles therewith, whereby the township and snbdivisional lines are definitely ascertained and accurately located, was substituted. It was a great improvement on earlier regulations, and fonns the outline of all subsequent enactments tending to develop a jierfect, connected system. On the 18th of May, 1796, the Federal Congi'ess passed the first law on the subject of public smweys, the application of which was to "the territory northwest of the River Ohio, and above the mouth of the Kentucky Eiver," better known as the " Northwestern Territory," afterward gi-anted TeiTitorial rights under special act of ("ongress.

The following are the provisions of the second section of that act, and applied to such lands as had not already been surveyed or disposed of, requiring that these lands be surveyed " by north-andsouth lines, run according to the true meridian, and by others cross- ing them at right angles, so as to form townships six miles square." It was fm-ther provided that "one-half of said townships, taking them alternately, should be subdivided into sections, containing, as nearly as may be, 640 acres each, by rrmning parallel lines thi-ough the same each way at the end of every two miles, and making a corner on each of said lines at the end of every mile." This was in full accord with the method of disposing of the public lands at that period, and before the inauguration of the new system, proposed by Gen. Harrison, to which reference has already been made, and contained, withal, some of the elements which distinguished the improved system.

On the 10th of May, 1800, by further act of Congress, amendatory of the foregoing, it was directed that the " interior lines of townships intersected by the Muskingmn, and of all townships lying east of that river which had not before been actually subdivided into sections, should also be run and mai'ked in the manner prescribed by the said act for running and marking the interior lines of townships directed to be sold in sections of 640 acres each."

Whenever the exterior lines of the townships thus to be subdivided exceeded or fell short of six miles, the excess or deficiency was to be added to or deducted from the western or northern tier of sections. By this act it was also provided that the northern and western tiers of sections shoxild be sold as containing only the quantity expressed on the plats, and all others as containing the complete legal quantity.

Under the provisions of the first section of the act approved March 26, 1 804, it was made the duty of the Surveyor General to cause the public lands north of the Kiver Ohio and east of the Biver Mississippi to be surveyed in townships six miles square, and divided in the same manner as provided by law in relation to the lands northwest of the Biver Ohio, and above the mouth of the Kentucky Biver. Subsequently, a law was passed by Congress and approved February 11, 1805, contemplating the division of the public domain in tracts suitable for settlers of moderate means, which provided for such subdivision and established the following principles upon which the subdivisional boundaries of the public lands should be determined: Section 1 jjrovided that "all the comers marked in the surveys retui'ned by the Sm-veyor * * * * should be established as the proper corners of sections or subdivisions of sections which they were intended to designate; and the corners of half and quarter sections not marked on the said surveys sLould be placed, as nearly as possible, equidistant from the two corners which stand on the same line." The second section provides that " the boundaiy lines actually run and mai'ked in the surveys returned by the Smweyors * * * * shall be established as the proper boundary lines of the sections or stibdivisions for which they were intended ; and the length of such lines-, as returned by * * * * Stirveyors, shall be held and considered as the true length thereof. And the boundary lines which shall not have been actually run and marked as afoi'esaid, shall be ascertained by running straight lines from the establishe-^. corners to the opposite corresponding corners; but, in the portions llidsc fractional townships in which no sitch opposite corrc'spiiiiiliii^; li;ivi' l)een or can be fixed, the said boundaiy lines shall MsciM'tainrd by running from the established corners due north-and-south, or east-and-west, lines, as the case may be, to the water-course, Indian boundary line, or other external boundary of such fi-actional township."

first section of this act, shall be rettirned by the SiuTeyor, * * * * shall be held and considered asjcontaining the exact quantity expressed in sttch retimi or returns; and the half- sections and quarter-sections, the coatents whereof shall not have been returned, shall be held and considered as containing the one-half or the onefourth part respectively, of the returned contents of the section of which they make a part"

Again, by the act of Congress of February 22, 1817, it was provided that, from and after the lat day of September of that year, " in every case of the division of a quarter-section " (of the sections designated by numbers 2, 5, 20, 30 and 33) "the partitioQS shall be made by a line running due north and south." It will be seen, from the last preceding clause, that in the subdivision of quarter-sections there were only certain sections in each township which were subject to subdivision by a north-and south line, making an east and a west half of such quarter-section; but, by a subsequent act, April 24, 1820, it was provided that "in every case of the subdivision of a quarter-section," after the 1st of July of that year, " the line for the division thereof shall rim north and south, and the corners and contents of half-quarter-sections which may thereafter be sold, shall be ascertained in the manner and on the principles directed and prescribed by the second section of the act of February 11, 1805."

"An act supplemental to the several laws for the sale of the public lands," approved April 5, 1832, provides that, fi-om and after the 1st day of May following, " in every case of a subdivision of a half-quarter section " (in all the public lands of the United States) " the line for the division thereof shall run east and west, and the corners and contents of quarter -quarter sections, which may thereafter be sold, shall be ascertained, as nearly as may be, in the name and on the principles directed and prescribed by the section of the act of February 11, 1805: and fractional sections containing fewer or more than 160 acres shall in like manner, as nearly as may be practically, be subdivided into quarter-sections, imder such rules and regulations as maybe prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasiu-y."

The system prescribed by the United States Government for the survey of the public lands is known as the " Bectangular System," since the lines bottnding given areas are imifoimly run at right angles with each other on adjacent sides, and hence parallel on opposite sides. The primaiy divisions recognized in the system are townships six miles squai'e, bounded by lines confoiming to the cardinal points, and containing, as nearly as may be, 23,- 040 acres;" sections, each " one mile square, containing 640 acres," or the one-thirty-sixth part of a township, except in particular-cases, as the interposition of meandered streams or ancient boimdaries; subdivisions of sections into quai'ters, eighths and sixteenths, containing, respectively, 160, 80 and 40 acres, which are styled the legal subdivisions, and ai-e the only subdivisions recognized by the Goveniment in disposing of the public lands, except where tracts ai-e made fractional by water courses or other caiises.

The lines of these subdivisions are not actually surveyinl and marked in the field; but .|ii;iilcv s..,-ti,.ii ,.r luilf mil.- i..>sts are established on the boundari'- .il' MviiMiis. .-iiiil tlic .|ii:niri' .|niii-)('r corners ai-e bylaw the ecjuidislant |i.iiiits lictwrm Ih.' scctinn and quarter-section corners; hence, the interior subdivisional lines of sections are only designated on the township plats in the Siu-veyor General's office ; so that, when the boimdaries of these subdivisions are required to bo established on the ground, the County Sui-- veyor or other competent person is employed.

The Field Work

The fii-st or preliminai-y step taken in making an original survey of tile public lands intfl townships and sections is to establish Principal Meridians and Base Lines. The tirst is called a meridian line because it is run due north and south, and at right angles with the equator or equatorial line, and principal because it is made a standard or reference line for the sm'veys in a given State or Territory, and numbered 1st, 2d. 3d, etc., as it is the first, second or third one established. The first one established was that which starts on the Ohio Kiver, "beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, and numing thence due north, to the territorial line between the United States and Canada," and, at the time of the approval of the act of Congress of May 7, 1800, " to divide the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio info two separate governments," was designated as the line which should henceforth " become and remain permanently the boundary line between such State [Ohio] and the Indian Territory; anything in this act to the contrary notwithstanding."' Yet the first section of that act prescribed " That, from and after the 4th day of July next, all that part of the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio Kiver, which lies to tiie westwai'd of a line beginning at the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of Kentucky Eiver, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until it shall intersect the territorial line between the United States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a separate Territory, and be called the Indiana Territory" - and the sm-veys of public lands made prior to the admission of Indiana as a separate State, as provided in the fifth section of the foregoing act, was so made with reference to that line as a boundary, the ranges counting west, to that line, from the First Meridian, as will appear by reference to the reports of such surveys and the plats thereof, on file in the office of the Siirveyor General. The Second Principal Meridian, and that which is made the reference line in the surveys of lines in Indiana, is located 86^, 24', 19" west fi-om Greenwich, fifteen ranges - about ninety miles township measm'e - west fi-om the First Principal Meridian. From this meridian, the ranges of townships are numbered east and west, accordingly as they are situated east or west of that line, except those situated west of the First Meridian, and east of the temporary ten-itorial line which was the boundai-y line of the old siuweys.

The Base Line, or that iipon which the old Principal Meridian is erected, may be either the equatorial line or a line drawn parallel with it, and is located with reference to the convenience of the State or Ten-itory interested, in niuubering the townships, the largest division known in the public land system of the United States, which lie north or south of that line. In this State, the Base Line is established at a point in Latitude 38° 30' north, from which townships are munbered from 1 to 8 south, and fi-om 1 to 38 north. As explanatory, therefore, of the means whereby a particular tract of land in Indiana is determined, we first detei-mine the niunber of the township, whether north or south, which fixes the number of townships, inclusive, from that to the Base Line; then, the number of the range, whether east or west of the Second, or west of the First Principal Meridian. If in a range west of the First Meridian, we know that it lies between the old temporary ten-itorial boundary and the west line of Ohio; and, if east or west of the Second, we know not only that the township is that many ranges, six miles wide, east or west of the meridian, but that it is also west of the old line just referred to, extending from a point on the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Kentucky, to

Fort Recovery. These two lines [Principal Meridians] constitute the basis of all public surveys in the State of Indiana, and are indispensable prerequisites to the laying-out of townships.

Standard Parallels, as they ai'e called, are simply standard linTs established either north or south of the base line and parallel with it, and are used as reference or correction lines, from which the Smweyor is enabled to make allowance for the convergence of meridians, and thus preserve, as nearly as may be practicable, the square fonn of the townships, as prescribed by law. These parallels are ran every five townships, or thirty miles, north or south of the base line, and constitiite new bases for the townships north of them, up to the next Standard Parallel. This is the present system. Prior, however, to 1866, these parallels were run every twenty-four miles north of the base line, and thirty miles south: hence, it will be noticed that, in surveys made anterior to the yeai- 1866, Standard Parallels were twenty-fom- miles apai-t north of the base line in any State, and thirty miles apart south of that line. In surveying and establishing all these principal reference lines meridians, base lines and standard parallels, for the purpose of secui'ing strict accui-acy and to dispense with the uncertainties of magnetic lines, " Deputy Sm-veyors are required to use Burt's improved solai' compass, or other instrument of equal utility; but, when the needle can be relied upon, the ordinary magnetic compass may be used in subdividing or meandering."

The meridian and base lines having been previously established, and the proper township, section and subdivisional corners located as prescribed in the instructions, the process of sm-- veying and establishing township lines is briefly described as follows: For tovmships west of the meridian, the Surveyor commences his work at the first jjre-established township corner on the base line west of the meridian, which will be the southwest corner of Township 1 , Range 1 west, and runs thence north, on a true meridian line. 480 chains, establishing the sertion and quai-tersection corners, as required by his instnictions ; at the end of that distance establishing the township corner, which is common to the Townships 1 and '2 north, and Ranges 1 and 2 west. From this point, he runs and measm-es east on a random line, setting temporary section and quarter-section stakes, to the first township corner north, on the meridian line, and noting the distance at which the eastern boundai-y is intersected north or south of the trae or established corner ; then, making his correction for course, he runs the true line back to the corner fi-om which the random started, measui'ing westward and establishing the necessaiy peiTuanent section and quarter-section corners, and obliterating the temporary posts, thi'owing the excess or deficiency in measurement on the east and west end of the line. In case the variance in alignments is more than 3.50 chains north or south of the standard corner on the meridian, he is required, by his instructions, to retrace his work. The same course of procedure applies to all townships north to No. 5, the north boundaiy of which intersects the first correction parallel, where the line, having no check by an eastand-west alignment and measurement, intersects the parallel at a point, if the line has been correctly rim, seventy-six links east of the standard corner, the amount of the actual convergence of meridian lines. A corner is established at this point of intereection, called a closing corner. On the east of the meridian, the process is the same, except that the work commences at the first township corner east, and the random lines are measm-ed west, instead of east, as before, and the trae line east, throwing the excess over or the deficiencv under 480 chains on the west end of the line.

When the township liups have been run, the next step is to subdivide, or sectionize, the townships; and, by a regulation of the Land Department of the Governreent, the same Deputy Sm'- veyor who has established the township lines is not pennitted to subdivide that township into sections, for the obvious reason that eiTors or imperfections in work are more likely to be detected by another. This regulation has not always been in force, or at least has not always been enforced literally. These lines may be ran by a standard needle instrument properly adjusted. Before proceeding, it is the duty of the Surveyor, with such an instrument, to make correction of his magnetic variation so as to confonn to the township work, and compare his chaining with the original measurements. " For this purpose, he is reqiiired to retrace the -fir.st mile, both of the south and east boundaries of each tovraship, and any discrepancy, either in the variation or chaining, must be noted in the field-book," that he may use a corresponding variation and proportionate measurement in the prosecution of his work. This requirement is alike applicable^ to subdivisional work in the townships, and to the retracing of similar lines in the subdivision of sections.

Having thus complied with the prescribed regulations, the Sm-- veyor will begin at the first mile, or section corner, west on the south boundary, common to Sections 35 and 36; thence, running due north forty chains, he establishes a quarter-section corner, and continues his com'se to the end of eighty chains [one milej, establishing there a corner common to Sections 25, 26, 85, 36. From this point he rans a random line due east, setting a temporary quarter-section post at the end of forty chains, and continues his alignment, without 'blazing," to the eastern boundary, which, in this instance, is the township line. " If the townshiji line is intersected exactly at the section corner thereon, the random may be "blazed back." and established as the ti'ue line; but, if the random strikes the boundary either north or south of the section corner, the distance of the point of intersection fi'om said corner must be measured and noted, and a com-se calculated that will run a true line fi'om the section- corner on the east boundary back to the section -corner last started from. " The permanent quartersection corner miist be established on the true line at a point equidistant from the two section-corners, according to the requirements of law, and the temporary post on the random should be pulled up." Thus he proceeds with each section to the closing section on the north. From the corner of Sections 1, 2, 11 and 12, a random line is nm due north between Sections 1 and 2, to the northern boundary of the township. " If the random does not close exactly on the section-corner pre-established, the distance of the intersection from said corner must be measvu'ed and noted, and a course calculated that will run a true line south of the corner from which the random started, the same as randoms east, except that the permanent quarter-section corner must be planted exactly forty chains from the interior section-corner, thereby throwing the excess or deficiency in measui'ement on the last half-mile, according to law." The first tier of sections being completed, the Surveyor next commences at the corner on the south side of the township, between Sections 3-t ami :nnl prncoiHls with the second tier as with the first; then wilh ili.- lliinl, I'.nn-th and fifth in like manner. "In surveying the lirili section line between the fifth and sixth tiers of sections, not only an east random line is run between the sections, but a random line must also be run due west to the. range line, and corrected back the same as between sections in the first tier, e.xcept that the permanent quarter-section must be established exactly forty chains fi'om the interior section -corner, as required on the north boundai-y, thi'owing the excess or deficiency of measurement upon the last half-mile or outside quarter-section." That portion of this last regulation which refers to the running true or corrected lines intersecting the township lines north and west, has not always been observed, for the Surveyc5r, in retracing the operations of early sm-veys, will not infrequently find that closing corners have been established, thus making, on the township lines, corners representing the sections both on the north and on the south, the former as standard corners and the latter as correction corners. All lines and corners thus established by the laws of the United States, under which they were established, are unchangeable. This regulation was made necessary, since, in the experiences of the past, it had been found that without such a provision a fruitful source of litigation and vexatious annoyance would exist among land-owners holding title under patent fi-om the United States, as well as to others acquiring title by subsequent conveyance. Inasmuch, therefore, as these surveys w^re originally made under and in conformity with the laws of the United States, the National Government then holding the title, the boundaries and corners so established are recognized as forming the basis of all subsequent subdivisions, notwithstanding the corners connecting boundaiy lines and the lines themselves, may have been established out of their proper positions, considered with reference to the literal observance of the instructions prescribed by the law pertinent thereto. The reason is obvious. The Government, having sold these lands to purchasers, prescribing and designating those lines and corners as true, would be bound to protect those purchasers in their rights. Hence these rules:

" 1. Whenever one or more of the original corners of a section was established out of place, the area of every legal subdivision in said section is affected thereby; that is, some of the subdivisions will contain more than the regular quantity, and others will contain less. It will be useless for the surveyor, therefore, when called upon to subdivide a section where one of the original corners was established out of line or out of measure, to attempt to make such a division as will give an equal ai'ea to even two of the subdivisions; it cannot be done without violating the rules prescribed by Congress in such cases.

"2. The original section and quarter-section corners established by the Government Surveyor must stand as the tue corners vrhich they were intended to represent. This is true, whether the corners be in place or not.

" 3. The quarter-quarter corners not established by the Deputy Surveyor must be planted equidistant and on the line between the quarter-post and section comer.

"4. All the subdivisional lines of a section must be straight lines nmning from the proper corner in one exterior line to its corresponding corner in the opposite lioundaiy of the section. There is no exception to this rule.

" 5. The fractional sections where no opjMsite corresponding corner has been or can be established, any required subdivision line of such section must be run fi'om the proper original corner in the boundary line, due east and west, or north and south, as the case may be, to the water-com'se, Indian reservation or other exterior boundary of said fractional section."

The first division of th(> public domain embraced in the original Territory of Indiana was made pm'suant to an act of Congress approved March 20, 180-t. One of these districts embraced the lands lying north of the State of Ohio, to which the Indian title had been extinguished, and the office at which they were subject to sale and entry was established at Deti'oit, then in "Wayne County, as the Territory was divided. Another division comprised the lands lying with the boundary fixed by the treaty with the Indians at Fort Wayne, on the 7th of June, 1803, between the United States on the one pai-t, and the Delawares, Shawanoes, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Kickapoos, Eel Rivers, Weas, Piankeshaws and Kaskaskias, on the other. The boundaries prescribed by that ti'eaty were as follows; "Beginning at Point Coupee, on the Wabash, and running thence by a line north seventy-eight degrees west, twelve miles; thence by a line parallel to the general com-se of the Wabash, imtil it shall be intersected by a line at right angles to the same, passing thi-ough the mouth of Wliite Kiver: thence, by the last-mentioned line across the Wabash, and toward the Ohio, seventy-two miles; thence, by a line north twelve degrees west, until it shall be intersected by a line at right angles to the same, passing through Point Coupee, and by the last-mentioned line to the place of beginning." The office in this district was situated at Vincennes, in Knox County. Here, also, lands were subject to entry and sale. Of this office, John Badollet was the fii-st Register, and Nathaniel Ewing was the first Receiver.

The third disbrict embraced such of the lands included within the boimdaries fixed by the ti'eaty of the 18th of August, 1S03, with the Kaskaskias, as was not claimed by any other tribe.

That bonndaiy is defined as follows : '' Beginning at the confluence of the Ohio and the Mississippi; thence up the Ohio to the mouth of the Saline Creek, about twelve miles below the mouth of the Wabash; thence along the dividing ridge between said creek and the Wabash, imtil it comes to the general dividing ridge between the waters which fall into the Wabash and those which fall into the Kaskaskia River; and thence along the said ridge until it reaches the v.-aters which fall into the Illinois River; thence in a direct course to the mouth of the Illinois River, and thence down the Mississippi to the beginning." The office for the enti-y and sale of these lands was established at Kaskaskia. in Randolph County.

By the provisions of a fm-ther act of Congress, approved March 3, 1807, a fourth district was established, embracing the remaining unappropriated area of Indiana Territory proper. The office of sale and entry of the lands in this district was established at Jeti'ersonville, in Clai-ke Coimty. These were the disti-icts and offices which embraced the lands in the major part of the territoiy northwest of the Ohio River, and within those divisions respectively the lands sold anterior to the establishment of oiu- State boundaries were piu'chased. Subsequently, the boundai'ies of these land districts were changed to suit the convenience of pm'chasers contemplating settlement.

A few years after the organization of the State Govermnent. when the emigration to the northern and western portions of the State was most active, the boundaries of land disti-icts were defined as follows: The Cincinnati District embraces all the lands east of the following old Indian boundaries, viz. : Beginning where the old Indian line strikes the Ohio, in Range 13 east; thence, with it, say north- northeast to where it intersects the other Indian line in Section 23, in Township 11, Range 13 east; thence southv.-est with another Indian line to where it intersects another line in Section 83, Township 10, Range 11 east; thence, with that line, say north northeast, to its bend in Sectirn 11, To\vnship 21.

"The Jeti'ersonville District (commencing on the Ohio) is bounded on the west by the Second Principal Meridian as far north as the line between Townships 0 and 10 north; thence east, with the line between Townships 0 and 10, iintil it makes the Indian boundary line on the south side of Section 38, Township 10, Range 11 east; thence (being the Cincinnati line) with the In dian line, northeastwardly, to the jiuiction of the Indian lines in Section 23, Township 11, Range 13 east; thence, south-southwest, to the line in Range 13, on the Ohio; thence with that river to the beginning.

'"The Vincennes District embraces all the lauds west and south of the following lines: Beginning on the Ohio where the Second Meridian tu-st leaves the same; thence north with the meridian line until it is intersected in Section 1, Township 9, Range Iwest, by the old Indian line; thence, with the old Indian boimdaiy, northwesterly, until its intersection with the Illinois State line in Township 16 north.

" The Crawfordsville District is included in the lines beginning on the Illinois line, where the Indian line strikes it, in Township 16; thence southeast with the Vincennes line on Indian boundaiy, to intereection with the meridian in Section 1, Township 9, Range 1 west; thence north with the meridian line to the corner of Townships 9 and 10; thence east with the line between Townships 9 and 10, to the southeast corner of Township 10, Range 1 east; thence north with the line between Ranges 1 and 2 east; to the northeast angle of Township 26, Range 1 east; thence west with the line between Townships 26 and 27, to the Illinois line, and with that line to the beginning.

" The Indianapolis District, beginning at the southwest corner of Township 10, Range 2 east; thence north with the line between Ranges 1 and 2 east, to the line between Townships 20 and 2] north; thence, with the line between 20 and 21 north, east to its intersection with the old Indian or Cincinnati line, in Range 13 east; thence south-southwest with the Indian or Cincinnati line to its intersection with the line between Townships 9 and 10, in Range 11 east, and thence west with the line between Townships 9 and 10, to the beginning.

" The Fort Wayne District, beginning at the southwest corner of Township 21, Range 2 east (being the northwest comer of the Indianapolis District); thence east with the line between Townships 20 and 21 to its intersection, on Range 13, with the old Indian or Cincinnati line; thence north-northeast to the bend of this line, and then northeast with it to the Ohio State line, in Section 86, Township 23, Range 15 east, being the north corner of the Cincinnati Disti'ict; thence with the Ohio line to the north boundaiy of Indiana; thence west with that "boundaiy to the line between Ranges 6 and 7 east; thence south with the line between Range 6 and 7, to where it would be intersected in the Miami Reserve by the line between Townships 26 and 27; thence west with the line between those townshijis to the line between Ranges 1 and 2 east; and thence south with the line between Ranges 1 and 2 east to the beginning'.

'' The La Porte District embraces all the residue of the State, being the lands north of the line between Townships 26 and 27, and west of the line between Ranges 6 and 7 east," to the northern and western boundaries of the State. In all these districts, lands piu'chased fi-om the Government were exempted from taxation for a period of five yeai's from the date of pm-chase.

In 1840, a laud district was constructed, which inckided territory formerly embraced in the Crawfordsville, Fort Wayne and La Porte Districts, extending south to the line of the Crawfordsville District, east to the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne Districts, north to the La Porte District, and west to the Illinois line. The land office of this district was situated at Winamac, in Pulaski County.

The aggregate of public lands in the State is 21,637,760 acres, all of which had been surveyed pursuant to existing laws at the periods indicated by the date of the several sm-veys prior to the year 1860, and offered for sale at the land offices in the several districts of the State. From the opening of the first land office in the State until 1849, 15,477,629 acres had been sold, including 1,170,259.50 sold in the Cincinnati District, for aggregate sum of $21,316,100, leaving unsold at that date 6,160,131 acres. The largest quantity sold in any one of the years during the period named was 3,016,960.77 acres, in the year 1836, the gi-eater proportion of which was purchased by speculators. At the present time, few tracts, if any, remain imsold, all the land offices having been closed - all of them, except the oue established at Indianapolis - many years since.

Original Surveys In

The original surveys of the public lands in Carroll County were made under and pursuant to the laws of the United States in force at the several dates when the work was executed. The fact that they were so made at different periods will account for the apparent differences of method occasionally manifest in some of the subdivisional lines of sections, especially those appertaining to the subdivision of quarter-sections. Those lands which were subdivided between the 1st day of September, 1817, and the 1st day of July, 1820, were surveyed under the provision of the law requiring that " in every case, division of a quarter-section [of sections designated by numbers 2, 5, 20, 30 and 35], the partitions shall be made by a line running due north and south." Subsequently, the law was so modified that " in every case of the subdivision of a quarter section, the line for the division thereof shall run north and south, and the contents of quarter-sections which may thereafter be sold shall be ascertained in the manner and on the jirinoiples directed and prescribed by the second section of the act of February 11, 1805." Hence, it will appear that the greater portion of the lauds of this county were surveyed subject to the provision last named, while a small portion were affected by the preceding provision. After the 1st of May, 1832, " in every case of a subdivision of a quarter-section (in all the public lands of the United States), the line for the division there-' of shall run east and west, and the corner and contents of quartor-quarter-sections which may thereafter be sold sh-ill be ascertained, as nearly as may be, in the manner and on tbe principles " before prescribed, and those latter surveys all recognized the subdivisions with quarter-quarter-sections, and sales were made in accordance therewith.