
213 
Navy, and subjected any vessel transporting such timber without proper 
authority and for any other purpose than for the use of the Navy, to con- 
fiscation and the master ot the vessel to a fine. 
This act is the one under which, up to the present time, all the pro- 
tection they have had has been secured to the public forests, the Su- 
preme Court having construed the act (9 How., 351) as authorizing the 
protection of all timber on the public lands, and punishment for tres 
pass upon the same. Under the act of 1831, the Treasury Department 
undertook a partial oversight and protection of timber on the public 
lands through its ordinary agents. In 1855 this oversight was trans- 
ferred to agents of the Land Department, registers and receivers being 
instructed to act also as timber agents, but without any additional 
compensation. Where trespass was willfully committed, payment of 
stumpage was demanded or the timber was seized and sold and the 
proceeds paid into the Treasury. Where the trespass was committed 
ignorantly, actual entry of the land only was required, with payment 
of the usual entry charges. 
The first appropriation for the payment of agents specially employed 
for the protection of timber on the public lands was made in 1872, when 
$5,000 were appropriated. <A like sum was appropriated annually 
thereafter for five years. In 1878, to meet expenses for suppressing 
depredations upon timber on the public lands, $25,000 were appropri- 
ated. Subsequent appropriations for this purpose are noticed in another 
place. 
The following synopsis shows the course of legislation by the Gen- 
eral Government in behalf of the forests and timber lands since the 
passage of the act of 1831. 
It will be noticed that, with the exception of the acts of 1876, 187s, 
1880, and 1883, none of the many bills which have been proposed have 
been given the form of law. But the failures to secure legislation may 
be as instructive and as important in a correct history of forestry in 
our country as the reco.d of successes. This will justify the somewhat 
extended, though not exhaustive, list of bills here given : 
House in which 
Year. Congress. originated. Object of bill. Action taken. 
1871 = 41st, 3a sess. H. R. 2930, For the sale of timber lands in Referred to Committee on 
Sargent. California and Oregon. Publie Lands. 
ISTL «4st, 3d sess. IT. R. 3005, To authorize the sale of timber Passed in House. In Sen- 
Sargent. lands in California, Oregon, and ate referred to Comumit- 
Washington Territory, not ex- tee on Public Lands. 
cee ding O40 acres to one person 
‘ or association, without resi- 
dence, at $2.50 per acre. 
1871 | 42d, Ist sess. H. R. 274, Same as the preceding ............ Referred to Committee on 
Gartielde. Public Lands. 
1872 «42d, 2d sess. H. R. 2197, Tocnconrage the planting of trees | Referred to Committee on 
Haldeman. andthe preservation of woods Agriculture. Reported 
on the public domain. (Tho favorably. Failed of pas- 
firstrealandcomprehensive for- | sage—81 yeas, 87 nays. 
} } estry bill.) | 3 

