There have been reports that sensa
tions would be disclosed. Mr. Spry says
that perhaps tresspasses will be found,
“and then again, perhaps not.” lit
makes this statement in explanation of
the situation :
“By different acts of Congress,
passed many years ago, Alabama was
given certain large grants of land,
the moneys derived from the sale of
which were to be applied to internal
improvements, etc. It is presumed much,
if not all, of these lands have been
disposed of by the state. It seems the
records of this office and those of the
local land offices in Alabama (all now
abolished save that at Montgomery,
which is the custodian of all those
ancient records), do not agree as to
what lands were granted to the state.
Certain lands appear on the local
records as having been transferred to
Alabama, but do not so appear on
the tract books of this office, and
vice versa.
While pursuing the investigation re
ferred to, the government will also
investigate the status and character
of those lands, in which it may have
any direct or indirect interest, par
ticularly those alleged to contain coal.
This will be done, of course, for the
purpose of ascertaining whether any
of the government's coal has been un
lawfully rmeoved, and, if so. to learn
the quantity and call upon the party
or parties removing it for settlement.
