PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND LOSSES.

On Ead's loans and sureties, estimated losses........................

$40,131.54

On loan to medical department of State University, a

probable loss of..........

15,000.00

On loans made in the different counties, as per foregoing

statement "A."

20,849.71

Total.........

$75,981.25

TEMPORARY SCHOOL FUND LOSSES.

On Ead's loans and sureties, estimated loss of interest $100,000.00 On loan to medical department of State University, a

probable loss of interest........

Total.......

17,500.00

$117,500.00

The following statement will show the loss of interest on loans made by the different counties in the State during the last six years:

STATEMENT "B."

Showing the interest due and accrued and the interest collected from 1864 to 1869 both years inclusive, in the several counties of the State.

Totals..... $618,859.73 $1,220,000.00 $1,838,859.73 $1,078,805.94

All of which is respectfully submitted,

JOHN A. ELLIOTT,

Auditor of State.

OF THE

ATTORNEY-GENERAL,

TO THE

THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

RELATIVE TO THE DES MOINES RIVER SCHOOL LANDS.

DES MOINES:

F. M. MILLS, STATE PRINTER

OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

STATE OF IOWA, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, }

DES MOINES, MARCH 30, 1870.

To the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

SIR:—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following resolution of your Honorable body:

Resolved, That the Attorney-General be requested to examine "the title to the lands commonly known as the Des Moines River "School Lands, and report to the House whether in his opinion, said "lands or any portion thereof are now subject to Legislative con❝trol."

I understand the term "Des Moines River School Lands," to refer to 28,378 acres of land selected in Webster county, under what is known as the 500,000 Grant.

The land embraced in the above 28,378 acres, has been the subject of much legislation, and a great deal of legislation for many years. I subjoin a very brief and necessarily partial statement of some of the main facts entering into a consideration of the question involved in the resolution.

First. By act of Congress, approved September 4th, 1841, the United States granted to the State of Iowa, for the purpose of aiding in the establishment of a University, 500,000 acres of land.

Second. Under the provisions of said grant, the above 28,378 acres was selected in Webster county.

Third. By a subsequent act of Congress, approved, 1846, certain lands were granted to Iowa for the purpose of improving the Des Moines River.

Fourth. By a decision of the Secretary of the Interior, made August 8th, 1846, certain of the lands as above selected were (erroneously as it was then alleged) held and considered to belong to the said Des Moines River Grant, and were in accordance with the