Letter from B. F. Barnes, Acting Secretary to the President, to Secretary of the Interior E. A. Hitchcock

This item includes letters from W. A. Richards to William Loeb and from W. A. Richards to E. A. Hitchcock.

Extracted text

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Copy. C.L.D. B. E DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, J.H.B. GENERAL LAND OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C., ADDRESS ONLY THE May 31, 1904. COMMISSJONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. Subject: Withdrawal of unsurveyed islands and request for examination and survey thereof. The Honorable The Secretary of the Interior. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter dated Grand Forks, North Dakota, May 23, 1904, signed by 0. G. Libby, President and Elizabeth Abbott, Secretary of the State Audubon Society of North Dakota, addressed to the President, re- questing their appointment as custodians of four unsurveyed is- lands described as being in Stump Lake in sections 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 22 and 23, T. 151 N., R. 61 W., 5th P.M., North Dakota, for the purpose of protecting the bird life thereon until such time as the lands may be made a regular State or National preserve. It is also stated in the letter that the islands contain about 16 acres, and are not under cultivation and are worthless for agricultural purposes, but are the homes of thousands of wa- ter birds who use them for nesting purposes, some of which birds are found nowhere else in the State, and if disturbed in their breeding places, would likely leave; that the State Audubon So- ciety is incorporated under the laws of North Dakota, and desires the action taken as above indicated.