The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-11-13
s 7yegaiatisg the grants Of land in the terrific
~ of MICHIGAN.

) se,tatiuea Of the Unitei States of 1,nerica,
Congress assemble, That all the decisions made
by the commissioners appointed for the purpose of
examining the clams ofpersons claiming lands in
the district Of Detroit in favor of such claim
ants, as entered in the transcript of decisions
which have been transmitted by the said commits
sioners, 10 the secretary Of the easury, accord
ing to law, he, and the same arc hereby confirm
ed
Sec. 9. Aribeit further enacted, That to every
person, persons in the actual possession. occu-
pancy, and improvement, of auy tract or parcel
ofland, i'll his, her, or their own right, at the
time oithe passing of this act, within that part of
the territory of Michigan to which the Indian Ii
tie has been exGnguishcd, and which said tract
or parcel of land was settled, occupied, and inn
proved by him. her, or them, prior to and on the
first day of july, one Thousand seven hundred and
ninety-siS, or by some other person, or persons.
under whom he, she, or they, hold or claim the
right to the occupancy, or possession thereof, and
which said occupancy or possession has been con-.
tinued to the time ofthe passing of this act; the
SAID tract or parcel ofland titus possessed,
pied snd improved, shall be granted, and such
occupant or occupants, shall be confirmed IN the
title to the same, estate of Inheritance, i'll
fec simple Provided, horoe-ey, That no other
claims shall be confirmed by yirtue of this section,
than such as have been entered with the register
of the land Office of Detroit, within the time,
and in the manner provided by law, and blythe
commissioners aforesaid, have been inserted in
more than one tract parcel OF land be thus
granted 10 any one person, and the same shall not
contain more than the quantity claiIned, nor more
than six hundred and forty acres: Ind provi4ed
also, That the same shall rot extend to any tract
heretofore reserved, or which nlayby the Presi-
dent of The United States be set aside for public
uses, in the town Of Detroit and its vicinity, or
on the Island Of Michillimakinac.
Sec. 8. Ind be further enacted, That the Sc
cretary of the territory of Michigan, together
with the register and receiver of public monies,
of the land Office of Detroit, shall be commissi-
oners for the purpose of ascertaining and deciding
on the rights of persons claiming the benefit OF
this act: and the said commissioners shall previ-
Gus to entering on the duties ofther appointment,
respectively take and subscribe the following oath
or affirmation, before some person qualified to adj
minister the same l do So
lemnly swear Cor ahirm) that will mpartally
exercise and discharge the duties imposed upon
me, by an act of Congress, entituled sc An act
regulating the grants of land in the territory of
Michigan" And it shall be the duty of the said
commissioners to meet at the town of Detroit on
or before the first day of July next, and they shall
not adjourn to any other place for any Gonger time
than three days, until the first day of January
next or until they shall have completed the bust
ness OF their appointment. And the said
missioners, majority ofthem shall have DOW
er to hear and decide in q summary manner all
matters respecting such claims, to compel the at
tendance of witnesses, to administer oaths and
examine witnesses, and such ether testimony as
may be adduced, and to determine thereon &C
cording to justice and equity. Minutes of the
proceedings, decisions, meetings and adjourn
nents of the board, shall be regularly entered by
the register, in book to be kept for that pu-
pose, together with the evidence on which sucl,
decisions are made, unless such evidence has al
ready been entered according 20 law in the book
or books Of minutes, kept BY The commissioners
appointed under former acts, to Investigate the
claims to land in the district of Detroit. And
when it shall appear TO the said commissioners
hat the claimant is entitled 90 a tract OF land by
virtue OF this act, they shall give n certificate
thereof stating the circumstances of the case, and
tfat the claimant is cntituled TO receive = patent
Tor such a tract of land, BY virtue of this act
which tract shall be surveyed IN conformity with
tie decision of the commissioners, at the expense
= OF the party, and under the direction of the sur
fcyor general by such his assistants, residing in