M^r Bowlin from the select Committee to whom was referred the subject of the swamp lands of New Madrid and St Francis river reported the following bill:

A Bill, Granting the states of Missouri and Arkansas, certain swamp, submerged and overflowed lands, known as the New Madrid and St Francis Swamps for the purpose of reclaiming, ^them^ and increasing the value of the public lands in the vicinity thereof.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled. That there be and is hereby Granted to the states of Missouri and Arkansas, respectively, all the swamp submerged and overflowed lands, belonging to this, ^the^ G United States, situated in what is called and known, as the “Swamp lands” of New Madrid, Little & St Francis rivers; being the same set apart by the Commissioner of the General Land office as such in his Report to the Senate of April the Eleventh Eighteen hundred and forty Eight: to Missouri so much of said swamp lands as lie within her borders and to Arkansas so much as lies within her borders. And the lands hereby granted and situated in the said States each of the said States, shall be subject to the disposal of the Legislatures thereof respectively, that on Condition that of the money arising from the sales thereof sufficient shall be expended under their direction, to accomplish the reclaiming

---

of the said swamps or so much thereof as can be reclaimed, and for the improvement of the Water Courses through said lands by all means that are1 practicable to accomplish the removal of the obstructions to their free navigation, and for the purpose of draining & preventing the inundation of said lands. Provided however that the right of pre-emption is hereby reserved to any person or persons ^if any such there be^ who may be settled on said lands, and entitled to preemption under the provisions of the acts now inforce in force—the said States being entitled respectively to the purchase money on such pre emption.

Sec: 2. And be it further enacted. That it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, immediately upon the passage of this bill, to set apart the said Swamp or inundated lands above specified, and have the same reserved from sale. That the said Commissioner shall cause to be made out an accurate Diagram of all such swamp or inundated lands, one of which shall be sent to each of the States of Arkansas Missouri and Arkansas and one to each of the land offices of the Districts covering any portion of such swamp lands—and the said Register and receiver upon receipt of such diagram, shall set the same apart upon the Books of their respective offices, as lands reserved and granted to the States respectively.

Sec 3^d Be it further enacted. That the reclaiming and of improving of said lands mentioned in the first Section of this act, shall be commenced & prosecuted within five years from the passage of this act, or this Grant shall be null and void, and the States of Missouri and Arkansas shall refund to the United States the amount of any money received by them respectively for lands sold. Provided that the annulling of this grant shall not impair the titles of individuals who may have purchased from said States or either of them.