Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-12-27
WAR DEPARTMENT.
SECTION OF BOUNTY LANDS.

Whereas, by documents exhibited at this office in
support of applications tor Land Warrants, il ap-
pears that many persons disregard or niisconstrues
the information heretofore published, relative TO
the proceedings requisite in all Cases where the
Original Claimant does not personally apply at this
Department; it is therefore deemed expedent to
elucdate the several points alluded to above by
the following observations
1. In regard to the Power of Attorney directed
to be executed in the cases above mentioned, it
is deemed of primary Importance, that it be for
n1dHy acknowledged before Magistrate, and hat
this acknowledgment be sH6scribed by the Person
who thus delegates his authority to another, as
we'll rs confirmed by cath or affirmation, in pre-
Of the said Magistrate, who then attests the
execution of this formality.
2. Every Debosition or .96Flarit ought to be
subscribed by the UePonent, or Person making
az we'll as confirmed by his oath or affirmation.
and should then be attested in due form by the
Magistrate before whom it is made. 1t is parti
eularly required that those individuals who de-
pose to the identity of another, should subscribe
their deposition to render the Identification valid
8. A substitution of Power of Attorney NAV
be made authentic i'll very few words, and May be
incribed the original Power, IL sufficient
space for the purpose be there found if execu
ted on a separate paper il is to be attached to the
original instrument in the usual manner, and Sc
cured by the NotariGi Seal. In applications for
Land Warrants, the following simple form will
be admitted, viz:
Know all men by theses Presents, that T. a, B,
Attorney of C ID, by the annexed Power duly con-
stituted and appointed, do, Dyvirtue of tine DOW
er Dissatisfaction with which l am thereby ex-
pressly invested, make, constitute and appoint
f of--&c my lawful Substitute and Attorney,
for purposes therein mentioned ; and do hereby
authorize him to do and perform all acts and
things necessary in and about the premises, as
largely and amply as might or could do if
were personally pr. sent
In witness Whereof have hereunto set my
hand and seal at--this-day OLA. D..
(Signed) Alb. [seall
I,G II, Notary Public, &c.
do hereby declare and make known, that the a.
move substitution was duly executed by the a
foresaid b, before me. In Testimony whereof
Ihave hereunto affixed my Official Seal and Sig
nature, at--this-day Of, A. D. 1871.
N. Il. AS there are many Sections of the U.
States where Notary Public does not commonly
ofTiciate-the aforesaid substitution shaft be there
legalized by the Official attestation of The Clerk
OF the County Court
4. In the information heretofore published re-
lative to ascertaining "ieg7fiIrate heir at Llsv'
who may apply for Military Bounty Land in
Right of deceased Soldier, the expression,
" Certificates from competent authority has
been thought by some, not sufficiently explicit !:
Ito remove therefore, all doubt on This point in
future, be it known that this insertion of the term
IS competent authority" arose from representa-
tons oflong standing at this Office conhrmative of
the fact tbat in dfferentStates component parts of
ofthe American Union, the legal mode Of proving
=" Hsrship" for the purposes Of nheritng Real
Estate, is different from that practised in other
States il is obvious, therefore, that the meaning
and intention of the Secretary of War in sancti-
onng the term +" competent authority" is, that
the Person so pretending to be a Z" legitimate
Heir al Law" should be required first 60 exhibit
- a to- Il r...I
that is authorised by the Constitution and Laws
of the State wherein he resides to take cognzance
Of the point in question, for local or other purpo.
SEES. A duly authenticated Certificate from that
Tribunal, or Public Officer, has ever been, and
will continue to be deemed at this Office Conclu-
siye Evidence in such Case. Thus, an Official
Certificate decorative Of ths fact that such an
one is a" legitimate Heir at Law' of such an one
issued by CoURr Of RECoaD, AN ORIGINALLY, 4
JUDeE OF Notwithstanding TO the Laws and
'usages of different States, have been deemed
equally admissible at this Office.
IL should be observed, however, that in cases OF
posthumous CLAIMS TO The Military bounty Land
AUTHORISED by an Act Of Congress of the 10Th Oi
December, 1914, it is essential that the Claimant
should estnblsh, not only that he IS "a legitimate
Heir at Law" but also the par cuiar degree oil
eonsanguinty he bore TO the ceased Soldier III
whose Right he claims.
5. Although the Rules viii be adhered TO- not
20 issue a Land Warrant TO an Executor, nor to
an Administrator, yet in ali cases where " the
legitimate Hers at Law" are Minors, a Guard ar
constituted and appointed IN conformity with The
Laws Of the State where the seid Minors reside
may obtain Land. Warrant in Trust for them, on
bis exhibiting at this Office Official Credentlal.
proving his sad quality.
.NoUem6er o.. 1915.
OfThe Printers authorised TO publish tn,
Laws Of the u States are requested TO insert tn,
assYe tsgse tIues,