Mr. JULIAN. Mr. Speaker, I regret very much to occupy the time of the House at this late hour of the session in the discussion of this bill, and nothing could induce me to do so but a sense of duty. I believe, and feel very sure in the opinion, (without imputing any improper motives to anybody,) that an effortis being made here to overturn the entire land policy of the U.S. respecting the rights of preemptors and homestead claimants upon the public lands. I deem it incumbent upon me, therefoye, to discuss with some care tequestion involved in the amendment submitted h the committee affecting the title to this.wcl known ranch in California, and affecting also the proper interpretation of the act of Congress of arch 3, 1868. The facts of this case, which it is necessary to understand, are about these: this Soscol ranch in the State of California is a large tract of about 90,000 acres, alleged to have been granted by the Mexican or Spanish Government to one General Val lejo. The title was for a long time in dispute and litigation, and the case finally found its way on to the docket of the SCOTUS; and that court, aftera full hearing of the whole case on the points of law and of fact involved, decided that the alleged title of Vallejo was void. It was not pronounced void on technical ground, as gentlemen may perhaps argue on the other side, for Justice el son of the Supreme Court declares, in so many word, that “in every view we linve been able to take of the case we are satisfied the grant is one which should not be confirmed." This decision was given in December, 1861, and so soon as the judnuient of the court was certified to the court below in California, which was in March following, this whole claim of 90,000 acres became a part of the unappropriated public lands of the Government. open from that moment to preeinption and purchase as other public lands. Accordingly, as soon as that ccision was thus certified and made known, scores of persons en‘tered upon this Soscol ranchas preemption settlers built their cabins, put up fences, cultivat the land, in some instances planted orchards, and asserted the rights generally of preemptors under the laws of the U.S. ille Vallejo purchasers under the void Spanish title were confused as to what course of action to pursue. Many of them had bought in end aith and made their improvements. Cont icts arose between the preemptors and the Vallejo claimants, and they were of such a character as to induce the latter to come to Washington and ask Congress to pass an act which would recognize their equities and enable them to purcTiase theirland at $1 25peracre. The ComPubLands in the Senate and in the House heard the application of these claimants, and on the representation that the lands claimed under the punish grant were in the possession of numerous small holders, who had purchased them in good faith, the following law was enacted. I as the Clerk to read'it.