LAND GRANTS

or PATENTS, by which the United States Government has gradually transferred the public domains to private ownership. Originaliy the land was claimed by the various colonies, or states, but after the establishment of the Federal Government all these claims were yielded in favor by the individual states, by New York, in 1781, Virginia in 1784, Connecticut, in 1785; Ma achusetts, in 1786, the southern states following. For many years, until 1862, it was the policy of the Federal Government to make grants to individuals for services rendered to the Republic. In this way 10,000,000 acres had been granted in return for military services rendered during the Revolution, the Indian wars or the War of 1812, up to 1840, and over 60,000,000 acres were granted to veterans of the Mexican War. This policy was unsatisfactory, as few of the veterans made use of the land, but sold it specula-; tively. In 1862 the Homestead Act was pa ed, whereby limited grants were made to actual settlers, requiring five years residence before title would be granted. Large grants have also been made to corporations to encourage railroad building. Public lands, usually opened Indian reservations, are also sold at public auction. In 1921 over 15,500,000 acres of public land were disposed of by both methods.