The Clerk read as follows: DEPTor run INTERIOR, “'Asniso'roGsE, NERALLANDOrrica. D. 0., March 23.1866. Sm: In reply to your letter of this date, making inquiries tastethe legality of taking timber from preemption claims, I herewith inclose circular of De cember24, 1855i, n which the construction of the law for the preservation of public timber is clearly set. ort. From this it will be seen that, except for the improvementof the land or the construction of buildings, fences, or other improvements upon the premises. preemptors are not.allowed to cut timber. settlers under the homestead act are brought Within the same restrictions. The enforcementof these relotions is necessary to prevent the spoliation oft o iublic timber and the subseguont abandonment of t o preemption or homes oral Government. claims without compensationto the General The principle is. that parties are not allowed unnecessarlly to dennde the land of its principal value pntil they have acquired an absolute title: and this is the only safe rule that can be devised, unless authority should be ranted to sell the timber alone. To cut the woo to the extent proposed by you would make you liable to prosecution and penalty and coin ilainteonld be made by the Government ent or y unindiVidual. our letter is returned herewith for reference. Your obedientservant.f. M. EDMUNDS. COMMIOGtOHCf. 0. D. Banasr'r, Esq., Washington City, D. 0. Wssmso'ros, D. 0., March 19, 1866. Gssjrutims: We. the undersigned, have examined itnhsetabnitll, ainndtroduced by Senator “'ADS on the 15th numbered 203. We do not see anything in the bill to which any resident of Montana or anyone having any interest in that Territo couldobject: but on the contrary, we know of noting that would aid the development of the agricultural resourcesand mineral wealth of that Territo so much as having the iron we need manufacture on the spot. TimberI rosin, and arable landsare in such pro fuseabun ancot areas to preclude the possibility of such a (rant bein: construed into glVlnl a mo 0 ol. adv the public surveys been commenced with the settlement of the Territory there would have been cuiprenuemcsetsasniteyefs or mnking jhe grant: but, under the the necessity exists and we earnestly recommend the passageof the bill. SAMUEL McLEAN. HeIe eta/mm onoaoi; Montana. PINNEY. U.S. Marshal, MontanaTerriloru.