Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-03
A. J. DALLAS.
WAR DEPARTMENT..
SECTION OF BoUNTv LANDS.

Whereas, by documents exhibited at this Office in
support ofapplications for Land Warrants, it APP
pears that many persons disregard or misconstrues
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 expedient to
eluci'ate the several points alluded to above by
the following observations 80
1. In regard to the Power of Attorney directed
to be executed in the cases above mentioned L
Is deemed of primary importance, that it be Gr'-
,naILy acknowledged before Magistrate, and tl,at
this acknowledgement 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 formality.
2. Every Deposition affidavit ought to be
subscribed by the Depsnent, or Person making
as well 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 part
cularly required that those individuals who de-
pose to the identity of another, should subscribe
their deposition TO render the Identification valid
g. A substitution of a Power of Attorney may
be made authentic in very few words, and may be
incribed on the original Power, if a sufficient
space for the pur pose be there found If execu
ted on separate paper, it is to be attached to the
original instrument in the usual manner, and Sc
cured by the Notarial Seal. In applications for
be admitted, VIZ:
Know all men by theses Presents, that 1, b,
Attorney of G ID, by the annexed Power duly con.
stituted and appointed, do, by virtue of the pow
er of substitution with which | am thereby ex
pressly invested, make, constitute ard appoint f
F of--Ssc. 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
lo-or ov,I II 60
were personally present.
In witness whereofI have hereunto set my
hand and seal at-this-day OLA. D..
(Signed) Alb. TSeall
/, q II, Notary Public, Sc.
do hereby declare and make known, that the a.
Dove substitution was duly executed by the a.
foresaid A b, before me. In Testimony whereof
have hereunto affixed my Oi.icisd Seal and Sig
nature, at--tb's--dsy Of, A. D. 16l--.
N. b. As there are many Sections of the IT,
States where Notary Public does not commonly
officiatethe aforesaid substitution shalt be there
legalized by the Official attestation of the Clerk
of the County Court
4. In the information heretofore published re-
lntiye 10 ascertaining q "degltinate heir at Law
who may apply for Military Bounty Land in
Right Of deceased Soldier, the expression,
/" Certificates finn competent authority has
been thought by some, not sufficiently explicit !:
future, be it known chat this insertion of the term
competent authority arose from representa-
tons oflong standing at this Office confrmative of
the fact that in component parts of
ofthe American Union, the legal mode of proving
ieirship" for the purposes of inheriting Real
Estate, is different from that practised in other
States it is obvious, therefore, that the meaning
and intention of the Secretary Of War in sancti-
enIng the term " competent authority" is, that
the Person SO pretending to be " Legitimate
Heir at Law" should be required first to exhibit
his proof of it to that Tribunal, or Civil Officer
that is authorised by the Constitution and Laws
of the State wherein heresides to take cognizance
of the point in question, for local other prpo-
ses. duly authenticated Certificate from that
Tribunal, or Public Officer, has ever been, and
will continue to be deemed at this Office conciu-
siye Evidence in such Case. Thus, an Official
Certificate declarative of tho fact that such an
one is a"legitimate Heir at Law'' Of such an one
issued by COUHr of REcoRD, AN ORDISARI, A
JUDa1 or PnoBArE-according to The Laws and
ussges of different States, have been deemed
equally admissible at this Office.
Il should be observed, however, that in cases
posthumous Claims to the Military Bounty Landf
authorised by an Act Of Congress Of the 10Th Of
December, 1914, it is essential that the ClalnanL
should establish not only thst he is ga legitimate
Heir at Law" but also the particular degree Of
he bore 20 the deceased Soldier in
whose Right he claims.
$. Although the Rules will be adhered to, not
to issue Land Warrant TO AN Executor, nor to
an Administrator, get in all cases where " the
legitimate Heirs at Law" are Minors, Guard ian
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
his exhibiting at this Office Official Credentials
proving his said quality.
November %, 1915.
0TThe Printers authorised to publish the
Laws of the y. States are requested to insert the
above three times.
Dec. s. 81