Speech #530002167

Without passing upon the question as to whether the approval of the selections of lands under this act is not a final and binding adjudication between the State and the General Government as to the character of the lands selected by the State. the committee will proceed to consider the questionof the policy of legislation authorizing the institution of legal proceedings for the purpose of canceling such patents. It appears from the statement of the trustees of the internalimprovement fund of Florida that there have been received by the State patents for 15.992.251 acres. that there have been disposed of by sales. predmptions. homesteads. etc.. 6.158.610 acres. conveyed to railroads. 5.940.010 acres. conveyed to Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company. 92.156 acres. conveyed to Atlantic and Gulf Coast Canal and Okechobee Land Company. on drainage contract. 1.174.942 acres. and that of the patented lands. the title to 2.626.532 acres remains in the trustees of the internal improvement fund of Florida. It appears further that the lands so conveyed to corporations have been largely pledged for the moneys which have been expended in their works or sold to individuals. including not only speculators. but large numbers of settlers and immigrants. all of whom have purchased upon the faith of the patents of the United States issued after adetermination of the question of the character of the land by the Secretary of the Interior. who was. by the act making the grant. invested with the power to finally determine the character of the land so far as the United States is concerned. that as to the lands the title of which remains in the trustees of the internal improvement fund. a large portion is involved in contracts with drainage and canal companies who have invested their money on the faith of the patents for the same. and that other portions of said land are held by said trustees to pay the liabilities of said fund. It appears that the swamp lands granted to the State by the said act of September 20. 1850. were. by a statute of Florida of January 6. 1855. vested in the trustees of the internalimprovement fund. and that the governor. controller. treasurer. attorneygeneral. and commissioner of lands and Immigration are exofficio such trustees. The trusts to which the lands are devoted by the original act and all amendatory acts may be stated as follows: 1. Internal improvements. by railroads and canals. 2.