LAND GRANTS IN AID OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. IL 7h 7 
considerable. From 1857 until 1862 Congress seems to have been otherwise 
engaged, for I am unable to find that any acts were passed during that 
period touching railroad grants. 
By an act approved July 1, 1862, a new departure was taken. Certain 
persons were created into a body corporate under the title and name of the 
“Union Pacific Railroad Company”. The object thereof was the con- 
struction and maintenance of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri 
River to the Pacifie Ocean. 
They were granted the right of way through the public lands to the 
extent of two hundred feet in width on each side of the line of road, 
together with the necessary grounds for stations, buildings, workshops, ete. 
They were also granted in aid of the construction of the road “every 
alternate section of public land”, designated by odd numbers, to the amount 
of five alternate sections per mile, on each side of the road; and all lands 
which had been disposed of or reserved, and mineral lands, were excepted. 
Sections 5 and 11 of the act related to the issuance of bonds by the 
United States. Section 7 required the company to file a map of its general 
route, and directed the Secretary of the Interior to thereupon withdraw 
the lands within fifteen miles of such line. 
Various other roads were provided for upon the same conditions, now 
known as the Central Pacific, Central Branch of the Union Pacific, Kansas 
Pacific, and Sioux City and Pacific. 
As it is not the purpose of this inquiry to look into any provisions 
except such as relate to dand donations, I will not pursue the sections 
respecting the issuance of bonds, payment of interest, etc. But, before 
proceeding further, it is proper to notice the changes inaugurated by 
that act. 
In the first place, the grant was to a corporation direct, and not to a 
State in trust for one. 
Second. It was not confined to any particular State or section, but 
was transcontinental in character, extending in this case more than half 
across our country. 
Third. It was a grant ten miles in width on each side, instead of six, 
as in previous grants, and no provision was made for indemnity. 
23 AR 
