LAND GRANTS IN AID OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, LW 
States had, when the lines of said road and branches were definitely fixed, 
sold any part of any section thereby granted, or that the right of preémp- 
tion had attached to the same, it should be lawful for any agent or agents 
(to be appointed by the governor of the State) to select so much land 
as would be equal to the tracts lost within the granted limits. This 
“indemnity” was to be selected within fifteen miles of the road and 
branches. 
The third section provided that the sections and parts of sections 
which by the operation of the grant remained to the United States within 
six miles on each side of said road and branches, should not be sold for less 
than the double minimum price when sold. 
Section 4 provided for the disposal of the lands, and declared that 
the road should remain a public highway for the use of the Government 
free from toll or other charge. 
The fifth section declared within what period the roads should be 
completed, and provided that in the event of a failure on the part of the 
State to comply with the conditions of the grant, it was ‘bound to pay to 
the United States the amount which may be received upon the sale of any 
part of said lands by said State”. The title of the purchasers was to be 
valid, but the tracts not sold were to revert and revest in the United States. 
Section 6 said that the mails were to be transported at all times at 
such price as Congress might direct. 
By the seventh section the grant was extended, on the same terms and 
conditions, to the States of Alabama and Mississippi, for the purpose of 
aiding in the construction of a road from Mobile to connect with the first 
above named road. 
While this was not the first concession of lands in favor of railroads, 
it may properly be considered the initiatory measure of the present system. 
It granted specific sections instead of one-half of a certain number of 
sections; provided in positive terms for “indemnity” for lands lost to the 
erant; designated the manner in which the lands should be disposed of; 
increased the price of the reserved sections within the “granted” limits; 
provided for reversion in case of default, and virtually established a form 
of grant which was differed from but little in succeeding donations. It was 
