Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the commissioner of the General Land Office is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be surveyed, as soon as practicable, the islands and keys, and other lands in South Florida, interspersed with water, which cannot conveniently be connected with the regular public surveys; and also the private claims or grants which have been duly confirmed, situate in said State; and that such surveys of said islands, keys, and lands interspersed with water as aforesaid may be made by such persons on such terms, and in such mode and manner, as said commissioner may deem most expedient and proper, without connection thereof with the other public surveys, by township lines; but the expense thereof shall not exceed the maximum price per mile heretofore allowed for surveys of said private claims or grants may be made by such persons, and on such terms, as said commissioner may deem most expedient and proper; but the expense thereof shall not in any case exceed twenty-

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five per centum on the said price heretofore allowed in addition to such price: Provided, however, That it shall be the duty of the President at some convenient time, and before offering any of said islands for sale, to have an examination made by, and a report from, a board of engineers, to ascertain whether any of said islands or parts of them, and if so, which of them, should be reserved from sale for the use of the United States; and that all islands or parts of islands recommended by such board to be reserved for public use shall be reserved from sale.

Approved, June 28, 1848.