A department of the government of the United States, under the supervision of an officer called the commissioner of the general land office, having charge of the surveying and sale of the public lands of the United States, and the issuing of patents for all grants of land under the authority of the government. See Act of Congress, July 4, 1836, sess. 1, ch. 352. And see Acts of April 25, 1812, and March 24, 1824.