|
U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 751. Rules of survey
The public lands shall be divided by north and south lines run
according to the true meridian, and by others crossing them at
right angles, so as to form townships of six miles square, unless
where the line of an Indian reservation, or of tracts of land
surveyed or patented prior to May 18, 1796, or the course of
navigable rivers, may render this impracticable; and in that case
this rule must be departed from no further than such particular
circumstances require.
Second. The corners of the townships must be marked with
progressive numbers from the beginning; each distance of a mile
between such corners must be also distinctly marked with marks
different from those of the corners.
Third. The township shall be subdivided into sections,
containing, as nearly as may be, six hundred and forty acres each,
by running parallel lines through the same from east to west and
from south to north at the distance of one mile from each other,
and marking corners at the distance of each half mile. The sections
shall be numbered, respectively, beginning with the number one in
the northeast section and proceeding west and east alternately
through the township with progressive numbers, until the thirty-six
be completed.
Fourth. The deputy surveyors, respectively, shall cause to be
marked on a tree near each corner established in the manner
described, and within the section, the number of such section, and
over it the number of the township within which such section may
be; and the deputy surveyors shall carefully note, in their
respective field books, the names of the corner trees marked and
the numbers so made.
Fifth. Where the exterior lines of the townships which may be
subdivided into sections or half-sections exceed, or do not extend
six miles, the excess or deficiency shall be specially noted, and
added to or deducted from the western and northern ranges of
sections or half-sections in such township, according as the error
may be in running the lines from east to west, or from north to
south; the sections and half-sections bounded on the northern and
western lines of such townships shall be sold as containing only
the quantity expressed in the returns and plats respectively, and
all others as containing the complete legal quantity.
Sixth. All lines shall be plainly marked upon trees, and measured
with chains, containing two perches of sixteen and one-half feet
each, subdivided into twenty-five equal links; and the chain shall
be adjusted to a standard to be kept for that purpose.
Seventh. Every surveyor shall note in his field book the true
situations of all mines, salt licks, salt springs, and mill-seats
which come to his knowledge; all watercourses over which the line
he runs may pass; and also the quality of the lands.
Eighth. These field books shall be returned to the Secretary of
the Interior or such officer as he may designate, who shall cause
therefrom a description of the whole lands surveyed to be made out
and transmitted to the officers who may superintend the sales. He
shall also cause a fair plat to be made of the townships and
fractional parts of townships contained in the lands, describing
the subdivisions thereof, and the marks of the corners. This plat
shall be recorded in books to be kept for that purpose; and a copy
thereof shall be kept open at the office of the Secretary of the
Interior or of such agency as he may designate for public
information, and other copies shall be sent to the places of the
sale, and to the Bureau of Land Management.
|
|