How did the congressional committee address the chaotic land occupancy issues?

The congressional committee tackled the chaotic land occupancy issues by choosing to survey all western lands before allowing anyone to occupy them. This approach was critical because it aimed to create an organized system for land distribution, ensuring that the land was accurately measured, mapped, and recorded. Surveying provided a clear understanding of the available land and established official boundaries, which would help prevent disputes over ownership and claims.

By surveying, the committee was able to implement a structured process for land acquisition, enabling settlers to understand precisely what was available and under what conditions they could claim or purchase that land. This was essential in managing the influx of settlers and avoiding conflicts arising from overlapping claims, which were common in an unregulated land rush.

Other options, such as auctioning the land or allowing a first-come, first-served approach, could potentially lead to further chaos and inequality, as wealthier individuals might outbid or outpace others. Establishing quotas on land ownership could also create additional complications and dissatisfaction among settlers, as it may limit access to land for families wanting to settle in the west. Thus, surveying represented a systematic and equitable method of addressing the land occupancy issues.