Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-12-23
WAR DEPARTMENT..
SECTION OF BOUNTY LANDS.


support ofapplicstions for Land Warrants, it APP
pc ,rs that many persons disregard misconstr,es
the information heretofore published, relative 10
the proceedings requisite in all Cases where the
Original Claimant does not personally app X this
Department; it is therefore deemed expetent to
elucidate the several points alluded to above by
the following observations
!. In regard to the Power of Attorney directed
90 be executed in the cases above mentioned it
is deemed of primary importance, that it be for
rndly acknowledged before a Magistrate, and hat
this acknowledgment be subscribed by the Person
who thus delegates his authority to another, as
well as confirmed by oath or affirmation, in pre-
sence Of the said Magistrate, who then attests the
execution of this Formally.
g. Every Deposition or Affidavit ought TO be
subscribed by the Debonent, or Person making
as well as confirmed by his oGh or affirmation
and should then be attested in due form by the
Magistrate before whom it is made. It is part
cularly required that those individuals who de-
pose TO the identity of another, should subscribe
their deposition to render tho Identification valid
3. A substitution of a Power OF Attorney may
be made authentic in very few words, and may be
incrlbed on the original Power, IL a sufficient
space for the purpose be there found if execu
tad on separate paper, it TO be attached to the
original instrument in the usual manner, and Sc
cured by the ,NotmInt SeSi III applications for
land Warrants, the following simple form will
be admitted, viz:
Know ali men by theses Presents, that 7, A, y,
Attorney of C ID, by the annexed Power duly con-
stituted and appointed, do, byvlrtue of the pow
er of substitution with which l am THEREBY ex-
pressly invested, make, constitute and appoint f
+ of--S.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.
witness whereof have here,1p+o 11,y
hand and seal at-this-day OLA. D..
(signed) Alb. [seall
1, G Fl, Notary Public, &c.
dohereby declare and make known, that the a.
cove substitution was duly executed by the a
foresaid A Ii, before me. In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto affixed my Official Seal and Sig
nature, at-this-day Of, A. ID. 49,.
n. H. AS there are many Sections of the U.
States where Notary Public does not commonly
officiate-the aforesaid substitution shall be there
legalized by the 0GciI attestation of the Clerk
OF the County Court.
4. In the information heretofore published re-
]ative to ascertainng "Iegl.imate heir at La4p''
VINO may apply for Military Bounty Land in
Right of a 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 ofthe term
I" competent authority" arose from representa-
tons oflong standing at this Office, confrnative Of
the fact that in component parts OF
of the American Union, the legal mode of proving
60 Heirship" for the purposes Of nheriting Real
Estate, is different from that practised i'm other
States it is obvious, therefore, that the meaning
and intention of the Secretary of War in sancti
Oning the term competent authority" s, that
the Person so pretending to be a Legitimate
Heir at Law" should be required first to exhibit
sis proof of it TO that Tribunal, or Civil Officer
ihat is authorised by the Constitution and Laws
Of the State wherein he resides to take cognizanct
of the point in question: for local or other purpo
ses. A duly authenticated Certificate from thai
Tribunal, or Public Officer has ever been, and
will continue TO be deemed at this Office coaclu
sive Evidence in such Case. Thus, an Official
Certificate declsratiye of the fact that such ar
one is a legitimate Heir at Law of such an one
JUDoE or PRoB&TE-accordmg to the Laws anc
usages of different States, have been deemed
equally admiss bic al = Office.
1t should be observed, however, that IN cases o
posthumous Claims to the Military Bounty Lane
authorised by an Act Of Congress Of the 10Th O
December, 1914, It is essential that the Claimant
should estnbish, not only that he is ga Legitimate
Heir at sw," but also the particular degree o
consaneuinity he bore TO the deceased Soldier il
whose Right he claims.
S. Although the Rules viii be adhered to, no
60 issue Land Warrant 10 an Executor, nor tt
an Administrato yet IN al cases where " th
legitimate Heirs at Law" are Minors, GUardai
constitute ed and appointed iu conformity with TIT
Laws of the State where the seid Minors reside
may obtain Land Warrant in Trust for them, Of
his exhibiting at this Office Official Credentlal
proving his said quality.
.N0Ueanber %, 1915
QJThe Printers sithor7sed 10 publish tn
Laws of the IT, States arcrequested to insert Ia
above three times.