5 
eighty-seven and four-tenths (14,687,4,) acres. One application was 
cancelled ; two were withdrawn and six rejected, aggregating an area 
of 752.8 acres. The whole area of grounds deeded the past year is 
fourteen thousand nine hundred seven, and ninety-three one-hun- 
dredths (14,907,%%,) acres, which netted to the State the sum of 
sixteen thousand three hundred eighty-two, and sixteen one-hun- 
dredths (16,382.16) dollars. 
During the three years of their service the Commissioners have 
sold 38,548,%. acres, which netted to the State the sum of $42,403.79. 
Besides this, 12,5398, acres more have been allowed, and deeds 
therefor ordered, which will net the further sum of $13,793.78. All 
the applications made in 1881 have been acted on, and there is no 
unfinished business for that year. For the year 1882, twenty deeds 
remain to be drawn, two deeds await surveys, two applications are 
contested, and five deeds await payment. For the year 1883, seventy- 
six deeds remain to be drawn, nineteen await surveys, five are con- 
tested, and five await payment. All deeds are drawn as soon as 
practicable. Any delay happening after an application is granted is 
generally due to the want of some data necessary to an accurate 
description, or to unavoidable accident. Rejected applications have 
generally been owing to the fact that the grounds applied for were 
on natural beds, or had already been designated to others. 
There have been several applications for grounds, which on inves- 
tigation were found to be in possession of persons who had not a 
shadow or pretence of title. ‘These persons had buoyed out, and in 
some instances had planted, the grounds without authority. Although 
they had opportunity to get a title for them from the Commissioners, 
they neglected to do so, and they also failed to list the same for taxes. 
It was obvious that they designed to defraud the State. The title 
was evidently in the State, and it was the duty of the Commissioners 
to grant it to the first applicant who should take the necessary legal 
steps to obtain it. In such cases, however, if the party in possession 
had any stock upon the grounds he was allowed a reasonable time to 
remove it. The attention of the Commissioners has been called to 
several other cases of this character, and it should be clearly under- 
stood that the Commissioners have no option, but are bound by law 
to make sale of such grounds, and cover the price of them into the 
State Treasury, whenever a proper application is made for them. 
Two or three years’ illegal occupation creates no right which the 
Commissioners can respect. It is hoped that persons who flatter 
