Which agency was responsible for preparing the plats of the original surveys of public lands in the continental U.S.?

The General Land Office was the agency responsible for preparing the plats of the original surveys of public lands in the continental U.S. Established in 1812, it played a crucial role in managing the vast expanses of land acquired by the United States, particularly during the westward expansion. The General Land Office was tasked with the survey and mapping of public lands, which allowed for orderly settlement and land sales. This agency facilitated the creation of land records that were essential for determining land ownership and resources, thereby laying the groundwork for future land management practices.

In contrast, while the Bureau of Land Management now manages public lands and their resources, its formation occurred later, in 1946, to serve different functions relating to land use and regulation. The United States Geological Survey is primarily focused on natural resources and topographic mapping rather than land surveying for ownership, and the National Park Service is dedicated to the preservation and management of national parks rather than the surveying of public lands. Thus, the correct answer highlights the agency that directly handled the original land surveys foundational to the public land system in the U.S.