Mr. LEBLOND. I will explain to the gentleman. This case has been here 2 or 3 times, and a bill to authorize the SecyInterior to apgoint a eison to appraise these lands passe the house at one time, passed the Senate at another time, but failed to pass both Houses at the some Congress. But in the 38th Congress a bill passed Congress authorizing the SecyInte rior to appoint a commissioner to appraise these lands anddetermine their value in a state of nature. I will state briefly the history of this case, and then I think gentlemen will at once see its merits. There are 2 sections of land involved. One section was conveyed by the General government to individuals, and the other section was conveyed by the General Government to the State of Ohio for canal purposes. That land was sold by the State to individuals who are now in possession of it. At the time the Government thus conveyed this land it was supposed that it had the right to do so. But prior to this conveyance of this land to the ‘tate of Ohio and to these individuals, the Government by treaty had conveyed these very lands to Joseph Itichardville, senior, and Jo seph Richardville, junior. The senior Richard ville died, and this man Sweetzer obtained a judgment against Joseph Richardvillc, junior, who had become the sole Owner of these 2 sections of land. After obtaining his judgment he levied upon these lands, which were sold and bid in by him. action of ejectment in the district court of the U.S. against the occupants of the land. That suit was fiercely contested, but the court found the title to be in this man Sweetzer, and that the Government had no title at the time it conveyed the land to these individuals. Now, these parties, as well as the State of Ohio, ask Congress to quiet their titles to these lands. And Mr. Sweetzer has agreed to accept the value of these lands, free from improve ments, and to relinquish his title to the General Government, which will make the title of these individuals perfect. In pursuance of that re auest a law was passed by the 30 i8th congress and the appraisement of these lands had. The appraiser reported to the SecyInterior at this session, and the SecyInterior has sent the report in here asking for this appropriation. the value of the land was ascertained by the testimony of disinterested witnesses who live in the neigh borhood and know the value of it. And I myself know that these lands were not appraised too high in a state of nature. This appropriation is for the purpose of paying