1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Office of the Light House Engineer Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon, January 7, 1874

SIR: In compliance with the directions of the Board contained in a Circular, dated December 7, 1873, in regard to the Titles to Lands and the papers ???cepary to lie forwarded to enable the Attorney General to establish their validity, the enclosed papers and maps relating to the Light House Sites in this District are submitted. After a diligent search among the archives of this office, they are the only ones to be found having any bearing upon the subject. These relate only two of the several Stations, and to the only two at which Lighthouse have been constructed since this portion of the Pacific Coast was made into a separate District. It is to be questioned that if the Titles to the remaining sites are to be found at all, they may probably be among the Papers of the office of the Lighthouse Engineer of the 12th District, if not already on file in the Office of the Board. The following is an accumulation of the Papers and Maps to which reference has been made. This first is a copy of retained

Copy of the Warranty Deed for the purchase from Lester P. Baldwin and Sophronia S. Baldwin of the land upon which the light house is built at Yaquina Point accompanied by a plat of the ground bearing date the twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seventy one. The original of this Deed was forwarded to the Board by my predecessor, Major Henry M Robert, enclosed in letter of May 4th, 1871. The second is a copy of a “Map of plat of Cape Foulweather Light House Reservation” duty certified to by WH Odell, Surveyor General of Oregon to have been examined and approved by him, at Eugene City, April 20th, 1872. In reply to the communication from the Board, dated November 13, 1873, assisting information relative to sites of the character referred to in the opinion of the Honorable the Attorney General under date of the 4th of the same month reference being had to submarine sites, or those located on

1870

1 Tracing and 1 Drawing of Beacons in Newark Bay (West Oyster Bay & Mill Reef). 2 Tracings each of Bullocks, Point and Connimicut Point. Providence River, RI 2 Tracings of Beacons (one iron and one wooden) Billingsgate Shoal, Mass. 1 Facing South West Reef and Moose Rock, Maine. 1 Gilchrist's, Rock, Half Tide Ledge, Snow's, Rock and ship and Barges- Coast of Maine tracings and drawings. You need no return lithographs.

Nov. 19. From Engineer Secretary Major Elliot. To Col. R.S. Williamson, Corps Engineers. Sir: Your letter of the 9th instant relating to purchase of site for Light House purchase at Yaquina Bay Oregon, has been received with the accompanying papers. The purchase, subject to the following modifications in boundary and to the approval of the Attorney General is approved by the Board and you are requested to prepare the papers for his action as required by the Circular. Attorney General on Titles. A copy of which you have. A copy will be enclosed here, with for use of the District Attorney for Oregon. You are requested to prepare a plat of the track proposed to be purchased, and which will show the lots.

(SIDE BAR) Office of L.H. Engr.' 13" Dist- books &c, will be sent

1871 Mar. 16 From Engineer Secy Maj. G.H. Elliot To Maj. H.M. Robert Corps Engineers Sir: There is sent to you herewith for your information an extract from the proceedings of the last meeting of the Board, concerning the office of the Light House Engineer of the 13th District. A box containing books pamphlets, &c, will be sent to you as soon as you inform the Board where you will have it addressed. For Enclosure see Volume 5 page Board Journal.

(SIDE BAR) Telegram Mar 22 From Engineer Secy Maj. G. H. Elliot To Major H M Robert Corps Engineers Deed for Yaquina approved Go on with the construction of the Light House. Appropriation reverts on first of July. Letter by mail.

Mar 22 From Engineer Secy Major G.H.Elliot To Major H.M. Robert Corps Engineers Sir: Herewith you will find deed of Lester P. Baldwin and wife to the United States, and a copy of the opinion of the Attorney General in regard to the validity of the title. Colonel Williamson has this day been directed to turn over to you the amounts of the special ap-(propriations)

(SIDE BAR) Yaquina Bay-purchase of L.H. Site- rel.

1871.

of a light-house site and have the honor to state that in my opinion the deed of conveyance from Lester P. Baldwin and wife to the United States, executed on the 11th of January last and offered for the acceptance of the government is sufficient to pass a valid title to the premises.

I am sir very respectfully Your obedient servant. (sig) A. T. Akerman. Attorney General.

Hon. Geo. S. Boatwell Secretary of the Treasury.

Mar.23. From Engineer Sec'y Maj. G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Robert Corps Engineers.

Sir: Gen. Woodruff has today been requested to send you by the first steamer a 5th order lens, fixed 240° for Yaquina Bay Light House.

(SIDE BAR) Telegram Mar.25 From Engineer Sec'y Major G. H. Elliot. To Col. R. S. Williamson Corps Engineers.

Foulweather appropriation made. Yaquina reverts.