Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-02
WAR DEPARTMENT..
ANAc.T


&c provide for designating, 9,ryeyiug aaz g,sns.
y ing Che military b6enty tnnas.
BE IL enacted 5y tie Senate and House of Re.
preventative ofthe United States Of .9merica in
Congress assembled, That the President ofthe
United States be and he is hereby authorised, 10
cause to be -urveyed quantity of the public
lands of the u fit for cultivation not otherwise
appropriated and TO which the Indian title isextin-
guished, not exceeding in the whole six millions of
acres, two millions TO 5esurveyed in the territory
ofMchigan two millions in the Illinois TERRITORY
north of the Illinois river, and two millions in the
territory of Louisiana, between the river st. Fran
cis and the river Arkansas the said lands to be
divided INTO townships, and sub-diyided into
sections leach quarter section to contain, as near
as possible, one hundred and sixty acres,) in the
manner prescribed by law for surveying and sub
dividing the other public lands of the United
States; the same price to be allowed for survey
ing is fixed for surveying the other public lands
In the same territory. And the lands thus survey
ed with the exception of the salt springs and lead
mines therein, and of the quantities of land adj
jaceHt thereto, as may be reserved for the use of
the same, by the President Of the United States,
and the section No. is, in every township, to be
Sranted to the inhabitants of such township for
the use Of public schools, shall be set apart and
reserved for the purpose of satisfying the boun-
Ties Of enc hundred and sixty acres, promised to
4he non-commissioned officers and soldiers ofthe
United States, their heirs and legal representiyes
by the act, entitled "an act for completing the
existing military establishment" approved The
tventy-fourth day of December eighteen hundred
ard eleven, and by the act, entitled an act to
raise an additional military force" approved the
eleventh day Of January eighteen hundred and
twelve.
Sec. 2. .fnd6e i, further eaaefeI That the Sc
cretary for the Department of War; for the time
issue TO the persons entitled thereto, by the two
49,
sispags, that such warrants shall be issued only to
the names Of the persons thus entitled. and be by
them or their representatives applied for within
FIVE years after the said PERSONS shall have be-
come entitled thereto and the said warrant
shsll not be assignable or transferable in any
manner whatever.
Sec. 8. Ind be is further enacted, That every
person in whose favor such warrant shall have
been issued shall, On delivery ofthe same, at the
Office Of the Secretary Of the Treasury. or of such
other officer as may at the Same time have, by
law, the superintendent ofthe General land of.
Gee Of the United States, At the seat of govern
Tnent, be entitled TO draw BY lot in such manner.
rs the officer, at the head Of the land Ohice, un.
der the direction of the President Of the United
States, may prescribe, one ofthe quarter sections
surveyed by virtue Of the first cotton of this
act, in either Of the said territory which the per.
aon in whose favor such warrant has issued NAV
designate. And spatent shall thereupon be gram
tad to such person, for such quarter section,
without requiring ny fee therefore,.
Sec. 4. Ind Be is further enaet7i, That no claim
Sorthe milsry land bounties atressid, shall be
sssignable or transferable, in any manner whatever
until after a patent shall have been granted in
The manner Aforesaid All sales, mortgages, con-
tracts, or agreements, Of any nature whs ever,
made prior thereto, for the purpose, or with in
sent Of alternating, pledgmg or nortgagng any
such clam, are hereby declared and shall be held
null and void nor shall any tract Of land grant
ed az aforesaid, be liable to be taken in execution
or sold on account Of any such sale, mortgage,
contract, or agreement, or on account OF any debt
contracted prior TO the date Of the patent, either
by the person originally entitled 10 the land. or
BY his hsTs or legal representatives, or by virtue