Letter from the Public Surveyor, William Russell, describing the lands in the Territory and appraising their value for sale as Public Lands. 20 Apr 1814. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Files may be printed or copied for Personal use only. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Jerry Morrison Email: LWM@genesisnetwork.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the books "Territorial Papers - Louisiana-Missouri Territory" 1806-1814, Volume XIV pages 752-759 William Russell to William Rector Extracts from William Russell's Letter to William Rector, P. D Surveyor for Missouri- St. Louis. April 20. 1814 "In speaking of the value of the Public Lands and the probability of their immediate Sale, I will speak of the Country as if divided into several Districts, as no one general opinion could apply correctly to the whole Territory. The County of Saint Charles, bounded South by Missouri River; East by the Mississippi River, North & West by Indian Lands, affords, in my opinion, a much larger proportion of good cultivatable land than any one County in the Territory. And in this County, although there are a very great number of Private Claims, there is, notwithstanding, more settlements made on Public Lands than in any one County in the Territory.-That part of the Country being more generally of Fertile Lands and finely watered, very large Prairies prevents the Settlements being entirely general & connected.-A number of valuable Salt Springs in this County, surrounded with rich and well timbered Lands, adds much to the value of Lands generally in that part of the Country.-If the Lands in this County were to be surveyed and offered for sale, it would be very interesting that the Indian Title (the Sacs) should be extinguished to a small tract of Country on the Missouri, called Boon's Lick Settlements, which, (tho now Indian Land) is perhaps as thickly settled with Farmers as any part of the County.-It is about 120 or 130 Miles West of the Mississippi.-The Public Lands in this County would, in my opinion, sell rapidly, if surveyed and offered for sale. The settlements of this County now extend at least 120 miles West of the Mississippi up the Missouri-and about 30 or 35 miles North of the Missouri, up the Mississippi. Two years ago the settlements extended at least 80 or 90 miles North of the Missouri, up the Mississippi.-The upper settlers on the Mississippi having about that time, in consequence of Indian interruptions, abandoned their Farms for a while, or until prospects of Peace with the Indians would justify their return to their several settlements. In the County of Saint Louis, (to speak generally of the whole County,) the Lands are by no means so rich as the Lands, generally of St Charles County:-that part, however, of the County of Saint Louis, bordering on the Missouri, and a part of the Lands on and near the Mississippi, as well as part of the Lands on the Marrameek River, which runs thro' the middle of the County, are inferior to no Lands in the Territory:-the greater part of which, however, are claimed by Private Individuals, and the best of the Lands not thus claimed is principally settled as being United States Land: the Settlers intending to purchase the same, when offered for sale-At this time, and until apprehension of Indian danger vanishes, even indifferent Lands in the County of Saint Louis would sell immediately; and the South Western part of the County, being adjacent to Lead Mines, which afford various advantages to Settlers, as well by furnishing a better than usual market, as by affording various profitable employments, would ensure, (in my opinion) the immediate sale of even tolerably indifferent Lands. The several Salt Springs, which are situated on the Marrameek, near the Center of the County, would, in my opinion, produce a similar effect in that neighborhood. In the County of Saint Genevieve, a very considerable portion of the richest part of the Country is claimed by Private Individuals, and most of the richest Lands not thus claimed are settled, as well as many tracts that are of but poor Quality. The Eastern part of this County, (fronting on the Mississippi and for about 20 Miles to the Westward of it.) is generally a poor hilly, rocky, broken Country: the only good Lands therein being immediately on the Bank of the Mppi, and on the small water courses which empty into it; The Western part of the Same County (situate on the head waters of the River Saint Francis, and part of the head waters of Grand River, (a branch of the Marrameek) including the Village St. Michael, Mine Lamote, Mine a Joe, Byrans Mines, Callaways, Cooks, & Murphy's Settlements, &c. &c. is, in my opinion a very desirable tract of Country, in which the Public Lands that afford even a small portion of cultivatable soil,would sell immediately; that tract of Country being remarkably high and healthy,uncommonly well watered and tolerably well timbered, situate adjacent to Lead Mines, which afford not only a better than ordinary market for the Produce of Farmers, but mining, waggoning, woodcutting &c. &c. always affording so many other profitable employments to the adjacent Farmers, would be considerations which would ensure very rapid Sales of the Public Lands; independent of which,however, much of the Lands are rich and valuable. Washington County, (situated immediately West of the County of Saint Genevieve, on the head waters of Grand River, and other Southern Branches of theMarrameek,) includes all the Principal Lead Mines, (now or lately) worked in this Territory, and several good farming settlements.-In this County there are many Private Claims, which cover some of the most valuable Lands, (tho' by no means all of the richest Lands)-Perhaps about one third (or nearly) of the Inhabitants of this County are settled on Public Lands, and some valuable Lands yet vacant, or not settled-What I have said of the Western part of the County of Saint Genevieve, as to water, timber, healthfulness of the Country, Markets,Employments, and probability of immediate Sale of a large portion of the Public Lands, will fully apply to the County of Washington, Generally. The Eastern part of the County of Cape Girardeau (to the extent of about 20 miles from the Mppi, is generally speaking of a good second rate quality of highLands, very well watered, and uncommonly well timbered, in the Northern part of which tract of Country there are very few Private Claims, and are some scattering Settlers on the Public Lands-In the Southern part of this portion of the County, perhaps something more than two-thirds of the best Lands are covered with Private Claims, and part of the balance settled as being Public Lands.- In this tract of Country I would presume the Public Lands would sell in a short time, as the Lands are rich and would afford a general settlement of the whole connected together. A little further to the Westward, (in this County) than I have before spoken of, is a small River, called White Water, the good Lands of which is almost entirely covered with Private Claims. This little River has no known mouth into the Mppi, but is said to be entirely lost in the Swamps and Marshes, back (or West) of New-Madrid-To the West of White Water is a small River called Castor, which empties into White Water in the Swamps.-On this little River I know of no Private Claims: there are some few Settlers on Public Lands, being but little good Land except on the Margin of the River, and some small Creeks: part of the Lands on this little River, (near the Southern Boundary of Cape Girardeau County) is valuable for raising Stock &c.-The River St. Francis crosses Cape Girardeau County about 40 or 50 miles West of the Mppi; on it there is some good rich Lands as well as on some of the Creeks which empty into it, part of which is held as Private Property, and part settled as Public Lands, the latter of which, I have no doubt would sell immediately. The body of good Lands however, on this part of the River Saint Francis, and other inducements for persons to purchase them, are neither of them equal to the headwaters of the same River in the County of Saint Genevieve; the largest half of the Country between St. Francis and White Water Rivers (Cape Girardeau County)is poor, hilly and broken. In describing the County of New Madrid I will first suppose a Line to be drawn West from the Mppi at the mouth of Ohio, or from the Iron Banks a few miles below, and first describe that portion of the County which lies to the North of the supposed Line, in doing which I may truth say, that there is not perhaps a richer tract of Land in the whole Territory, than that which borders on the Mppi. Between the supposed Line, and the County of Cape Girardeau, which rich tract of Country extends back from the Mppi, perhaps about 20 Miles thro'the back or western part of which White Water River passes, and forms some Lakes, Cypress Swamps, and large Marshes.-Between this White Water and the Mppi there are some other Cypress Swamps and small Lakes. In this tract of Country there are some Private Claims, and some few Settlers on Public Lands, tho' much the largest half thereof is unsettled Public Lands.-The principal part of this tract of Country is well timbered, and as I before said, extremely rich land,well situated for commerce on the Mppi, and an excellent Country for raising Stock, which are the only considerations that can recommend it. Some small portion of it has been overflown by the highest freshes of the Mppi. And is not admired for its healthful appearance. The goodness of the Land, would, I think ensure immediate purchasers for the most of it-Extending further West, along my supposed line, there are, in my opinion but very few tracts of Lands that could be expected to sell immediately; except a few (and but few) on Black River, and some few others on the River Saint Francis. As the geography of that part of the Territory which lies to the South of the aforesaid supposed line is much less generally known than that part of the Territory of which I have before spoken, I have drawn and herewith submit a Figurative representation of the principal Waters &c. Having drawn this representation from my Idea of this Country, and not from a Scale of equal parts taken from measurements, (which probably contains Errors as to the relative distances &c &c.) I will now speak of the Southern part of the Territory, with reference to that Map or Figurative Representation. That part of the Country bounded by the supposed Line on the North, extending South to the Chickasaw Bluffs-West to the River Saint Francis or a little to the West of Saint Francis, was, three years ago, tolerably thickly inhabited, and was principally covered with Private Claims; no part of the territory then exceeded this in fertility of Soil-since which time it has been so materially injured by the Earthquakes, that almost the whole of the Inhabitants except near to the supposed Line, having deserted that quarter of the Country;-at this time,the Lands there would not bring any price; perhaps not even sufficient to pay for Surveying. The Lands between Saint Francis and Black River from the supposed Line as far South as nearly to the head of West River is principally a low Flat Country,interspersed with many Marshes and Cypress Swamps, and occasional Ridges or Islands of rich and excellent Land, covered with Cane, &c. well qualified for raising Stock-This tract of Country cannot be healthy.-The only Private Claims,or inhabited Lands in it, are, (a very few) scattered along the Banks of Black River. The Country between the Saint Francis and White Rivers, from the head waters of Cash and West Rivers, until within a few miles of the Mppi, is, (strange as it may appear) a tolerably high Country, and extremely rich; perhaps one half,or not so much of this tract of Country is held by Private Claims, and very few Settlers on Public Lands.-These Public Lands are valuable, and I think, would sell immediately. Strawberry River,-Spring River-Eleven Point River-and Dumaugh's Fork, are thinly settled from their mouths nearly to their sources, and some scattering settlements on the Currents for 30 or 40 miles up it- The whole of this Country,except a few tracts on the Bank of Black River, is Public Lands.-The good Lands in this tract of Country is confined to those Rivers, and the small Creeks which empty into them; the Lands which divide the Water Courses being poor and broken.On the Western Shore of Black River are some tolerably large tracts of good Lands;-Such of the Public Lands in this tract of Country as are settled would immediately; and perhaps some little that is not yet settled. There is a very considerable quantity of rich and valuable Lands on White River-Little Red River, &c. and the small streams which empty into White River, exclusive of Black River-There are scattering settlements on White River, from the mouth of Big Creek nearly or quite up to the North Fork.-quite a promising (young) settlement at Poke Bayou, and on various other parts of White River-But a small portion of the good Lands on this River are held by Private Claims-If the Public Lands along this River were offered for Sale, they would sell and settle immediately-This is a very beautiful little River-about 300 Yards wide-navigable at all Seasons for Boats, of any size, to the mouth of Black River,and most seasons to the North Fork, or further up.- A considerable portion of the Country between White River and Arkansas (except on Little Red River and other small Water Courses) is but indifferent Land. On the North side of the River Arkansas there are scattering Settlements, from about 10 Miles below Arkansas Village, up to 10 or 15 Miles above Cadron Creek, mostly on Private Claims, except a settlement of perhaps 40 or 50 families at, near to, and above the Cadron Creek, which are mostly on Public Lands.-The Lands immediately on, and near to the Arkansas River, (both sides) and very rich; but become poor as they approach the dividing Ridges on both sides, except on the Creeks and small Water-Courses, which would afford some good small settlements. The Country on the South bank of the Arkansas to, (or nearly to the Washita (or Quachita) is claimed an occupied by a Nation of Indians called Quapaws-there is, notwithstanding, a few private claims to Lands in this tract of Country. There are some settlements on the Wachita (part of which are Private Claims) above and near to the 33d degree of North Latitude, as well as some scattering at and near the Warm Springs, and on the Little Missouri-For three Years past the Warm Springs have been much resorted to, for the benefit of their supposed Medical Virtues.-This tract of Country is hilly, well watered, and thought to be healthy.-The good Lands in small bodies on the Water-Courses-. The distance from the mouth of Ohio to the 33d degree of North Latitude is, on a straight Line, nearly, or about 300 miles, and, compared with the Northern End of the Territory (of the same extent) contains a very small number of Private Claims to Lands.-2,000,000 of acres of cultivatable Lands in the Southern part of the Territory being appropriated by Acts of Congress towards satisfying Soldiers now in the service of the United States, together with the Private Claims, will cover a large proportion of the best Lands in the Southernpart of the Territory. A Line commencing on the Missouri, 70 or 80 miles West of the Mppi, would, by running South to the 33d degree of North Latitude, include the principal part of the Private Claims, and of the present Settlers on Public Lands, and would include all the Country from which any material benefit from sales of PublicLands would be derived in any short time-but on the North side of the Missouri,it would be very interesting, in my opinion, that a Line should commence on the Missouri, at least 120 miles West of the Mppi, in the present Indian Country,claimed by Sacs, and run North so as to include what is called Boon's Lick Settlement, as no Public Lands in the Territory would promise a more immediate Revenue to the Government than the Lands in and adjoining to that Settlement. Should it be contemplated to survey and offer for sale in a short time, any portion of the Public Lands of this Territory, for the purpose of raising an immediate Revenue to the Government, I am very clearly of the opinion, that the Northern part of the Territory, (say from a line drawn West from or near the mouth of Ohio) offers much the best prospect to effect that object,not withstanding the large Portion of the choicest Lands are covered with Private Claims.-Most of the Settlements being already tolerably strong so as to prevent apprehensions of danger from hostile Indians is a valuable consideration with new comers to the Country-as well as the Mills, Schools, and other benefits of Society already established, which in my opinion would be, to Strangers at least, inducements sufficiently strong to ensure the Sale of second quality Lands so situate, in preference to first rate Lands in any part of the Country not uniting those advantages:-and those already settled on Public Lands will generally wish to purchase the Lands on which they have settled. I shall remark, that, as to Surveying the Territory generally, it may be, and, in my opinion is, absolutely necessary and advisable in every point of view, that the whole Territory, (from 70 to 120 Miles West of the Mppi.) should be surveyed into Townships,-This would furnish the Principal Surveyor with ample information as to what particular tracts of the Country would be mostinteresting to the Government. To have surveyed into Sections and offered for Sale first, and before it would be necessary to incur the Expense of surveying the whole, and any large portion of the Country at one place into Sections.-For instance-In the Eastern part of the County of Saint Genevieve, one tenth part of the Public Lands would not sell in a number of Years, and in the Western part of the same County a considerable portion of the Public Lands would sell immediately-The next County below-Cape Girardeau, is just the reverse; the Eastern part would probably sell immediately, and in the Western part but few sales could be expected to be made for several Years-If, therefore, the whole Country was first surveyed into Townships, the Principal Surveyor could with propriety advise as to any particular District of Country, comprehending any certain number of particular Townships, being proper to be surveyed into Sections and offered for sale, without incurring the Expense of Surveying into Sections such tracts of Country as probably would not sell. And for the sake of being able to connect to the whole together, it would appear absolutely necessary that the whole should be surveyed into Townships.-Indeed the scattering Private Claims would seem to make it necessary in order to identify their particular locality, so that it should, at least, appear in what Township they are situate Permit me to observe that I have a tolerable general acquaintance with a large portion of the present Land-Holders in this Territory, and, thus I know, to certainty, that the immediate establishment of their Lines by Official Survey, is, to them very interestingly important.-A large portion of their Lands, especially in the Northern Part of the Territory, had been Officially surveyed, before the United States took possession of the Country, since which, most of the remainder of the Claims were surveyed under regulations &c of General Wilkinson, then (in 1805 & 1806) Governor of this Territory; All of which Surveys, by late Laws of Congress, have been so far declared a nullity, as to require and provide that they shall all be re-surveyed:- consequently no Patents can issue until the Final Surveys are made-nor can Patent Certificates issue until then-Thus the Claimants are left without a single paper in their possession, to shew that they have a title at all-even the ancient Official Surveys declared a nullity.-Many of the Claimants are anxious to sell their Lands, (some for the purpose of purchasing in a different part of the Territory, others wishing to settle on Public Lands, others for the purpose of paying their debts &c. &c and some wishing to sell a part only of their tract.) but none able to shew a Final Title Paper, or such as a Stranger in the Country would rely upon as good evidence of Title-none able to shew a permanently established Line,and say, his Land comes to this or that particular place-A man even dividing his Land among his Children for them to improve, cannot do it without some hazard oflaying the foundation for future difficulties among them, or with any considerable degree of exactness or certainty. In short, the prompt performance of the Surveying and permanent Establishment of their Boundaries, is as interesting to them as the decision on their Claims could be; and instead of furthering that object for 10 Years past, the Surveys which had been before that time made, have been declared null. For two Years past, some murmuring with regard to the delay in permanent Establishment of Surveys has existed (their Lands being undervalued on that Account.-Those murmurings and complainings are on the increase, that good policy as well as Justice to the Claimants would seem to require that those Surveys should be made with the least possible delay, consistent with the Views and Convenience of the Government. William Russell [Endorsed] 20. April 1814 William Russell to William Rector