Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-04-18

continue in force the provisions of an aet
nutuled " An ACT giving right of pre-
emption to Certain persons, who have con-
tracted with John Cleves Symmes or his
associates, for lands lying between the Nil
ami rivers In the territory north west OF
The Oho, and Tor other purposes" shall
be and tha same are hereby continued in
force until the FIRST day oil June next: Pro-
o'dec. That the register of the land Office
and receiver 81 pubic monies ut Cincin.
natl shaii perform the same duties, exer-
else ihe same powers, and enjoy The same
emuiumelitS. which, by the last recitcd
act were eul"insd on or vested in the COM
missioners designated by the said act:
IND hrorEd!'d aisc, That no certificate for
"a right al pr compton shall be granted,
except IN tavOr OF persons who had, before
the Inst day of JanuaIy, one thousand
eight hundred, made contracts IN writing
with John Cieves Symmes or with any Of
his associates, and whs mad made To him
OF them any payment or payments of mo-
aey Tor The purchase Of such lands nor
1hiess at least one twentieth. part of the
purchase money of The land claimed, shall
have previously been paid to the receiver
* pubic monies, or shall be paid prior to
NE lrst day OF january next: And eve
~ person who shall obtain a certificate OF
pre- emption, shall he allowed Until the
nfrt day OF January, one thous and sigh'
hundred and SIX, to complete the paymenl
al ms hrSt nstalment Provided also, That
where any person or persons shall in viz
iue OF contract entered into with John
CleVes Symmes, have entered and made
improvements on any section or half Sec
ion prior 10 the first day Of April last
lhaVlng conformed with all In. foregoing
provisions in this section) which improve
menis, by The running Of the lines suisse
Guentiy thereto shall have fallen within a.
ny section OF half section o her than the
one purchased as aror. said, and other than
section number sixteen, such section or half
section shall III that case be granted TO the
person or persons who shall have so en-
tered improved and cultivated The same,
on payment of the purchase money a
greeabiy to the provisions made By law
Tor lands sold ut private sale but nothing
herein contained shall be construed ~ give
10 any such person or persons greater
number OF acres 'han he % they had con.
tracted for with John Cloves Symmes, as
aforesaid.
Sec. g. ind be ii further enacted, That
every person who may have heretofore
obtained from the commissioners, q Ger
litlcaie of Alright OF pre-. empt!on for land.
lying between the TWO Miami rivers, On
account oil contracts with or purchase
hom John Clevcs Symmcs or his sssoci
ates' and who has paid III. frs, Insialmenl;
and every perssn who may obtain a SINH
lar certificate by virtue Of The preceding
section, and shall, on or before the FIRST
n-y oil January, one thousand eight hun
dred and SIX, pay his FIRST instalmxni, be
permitted 10 pay the residue of the pur-
chase money in six annual equal cav.
IN, nts.
Sec. 9. .Hnd te II further enacted, That
fractional sections Of the public lands Of
he United States either north of The ri
yer OHIO, or south Of the state Of Tonnes
see, shall, under the directions of the Sc
c'etary ofthe treasury, be either sold sing.
~ or by uniting TWO or more together,
any act 10 rhe contrary Notwithstanding
Provided, That no fractional SECTIONS shall
be s"ld-in that manner until after they
shall have been offered for sale to the high
es, bidder in the manner herein AFTER di
reetcd.
Sec. 10. ind be il further cnaefrd, Tha,
all the public lands OF the United States,
he sale of which is auth, rised by law. NAV.
alter they shall have been offered for sale
to the highest bidder in quarter sections,
as herein af,er directed, be purchased at
The option of the purchaser, either in en-
IRE sections, in half sections, or in Guar
Ter sections in which two last cases the
sections shall be divided into half sections
by !IHes runnins due north and south,
aid he half sections shall be divided INFO
quarter SECTIONS by lines running due cas-,
and west. And every instance in hich
subdivision of The lands Of the United
9taies, as.surVeycd in conformity with
law shall be necessary 10 ascertain the
boundaries or true contents of the trac)
pnrch sed, The same shall be done at the
expense of the purchaser.
Sec. H.. .8ad be It further enacted, Tba,
no Interest shall be charged on any install
ment which may hereafter become doe.
IN payment Of any of the public lands of
The United Sfafgg. a. harnva, -:,,,..l 49, 4