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Show vations made by the United States Geological Survey, locating the one hundred and seventh meridian. A report transmitting the official notes of these observations was made by the Director of the Geological Burvey July 15, 1897, to the Department, and the report and a copy of the notes were received by Department reference of July 24. They were returned to the Department August 26, with the recommendation that the General Land Office be requested to make the survey from the point established by the Geological Survey. SEMINOLES Ih- FLORIDA. By the act of June 10,1896 (29 Stats., 331), $6,000 was appropriated for the SeminoleIndiausin Florida, of which one-half was to be expended in procuring permanent homes for them. Lands have been purchased for these Indians during the past year as follows: From the Disston Land Company, section 7, township 48 south, range 4 east, 644.40 acres, $418.86. The deed was submitted to the Department for approval May 6, 1897. From Frank Q. Bro+n, trustee, section 18, township 48 south, range 33 east; section 18, town-ship 48 south, range 34 east, and section 34, township 48 south, range 34 east, 1,920 acres, $1,344. The deed was submitted to the Depart-meut for approval July 28,1897. From Frank &. Brown, trustee, sec-tion 32, township 47 south, range 33 east, 640 acres, $448. Mr. Brown was informed July 26,1897, that before this deed could be considered an abstract of title should be furnished, accompanied by the proper tax receipt. Awaiting receipt of this evidence the deed has not yet been submitted to the Department. The other two deeds have been approved. Similar appropriations for the Seminoles have been made for several years past. For description of lands purchased thereunder, see Annual Report for 1896, p. 93. The greater part of the Seminole Indians are located in Dade and Monroe counties, in the region designated on the map of Florida as 'LThe Everglades."' October 10,1894, the Department decided that the unsurveyed body of lands lying within the State of Florida known as The Everglades was, in fact, swamp land; that a survey thereof was not practicable, and that a patent might issue to the State under the swampgrant (act of September 28,1850,9 Stat., 51) upon' an estimated area designated by metes and bounds (19 L. D., 251). February 23,1897, Dr. J. E. Brecht, in charge of the Florida Semi-noles, telegraphed as follows: Can not special provision he made for reservation of all lands oocupied or improved by Indians m or contiguons to Everglades before same are pabnted to State of Floridal Similar appeals made by Bishop Whipple and Mr. Eirk Nunroe were reported to the Department with request that the Commissioner of the General Land Office be instructed to take such mtion as might - 1 See Senate Ex. Doe. No. 139, Fiftieth Congress, first session. |