Dallas] * * * * * The only remaining source of revenue was the sale of public lands.

This also was a part of Hamilton's original scheme.

The public lands of the United States were acquired in three different ways, namely, 1, by cessions from the States of such lands as they claimed, or were entitled to by their original grants or charters from the crown, while colonies; 2, by purchase from Indian tribes; 3, by treaties with foreign nations,--those of 1783 and 1794 with Great Britain, of 1795 with Spain, and of 1803 with France.

The need of bringing this vast territory under the control of the government and disposing of it for settlement was early apparent.

In July, 1791, Hamilton sent in to the House a report on "A uniform system for the disposition of the lands, the property of the United States." In March preceding, grants of the United States had confirmed to the actual settlers in the Illinois country the possession of their farms.