Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-17
WAR DEPARTMENT.
SECTION OF BouNTyIAyD,

Whereas, by documents exhibited at this Office in
support ofapplications for Land Warrants, it ap-
pears that many persons disregard or n,iscons.r,cs
the information heretofore published, relative 10
the proceedings requisite in all Cases where the
Original Claimant does not personally apply at this
Department; it is therefore deemed expedicnt to
elucitlate the several points alluded to above by
the following observations
L. In regard to the Power of Attorney directed
to be executed in the cases above mentioned IL
IS deemed of primary importance, that it be far
nally acknowledged before Magistrate. and that
;his acknowledgment be subscribed by the Person
who thus delegates his authority to another, as
well as confirmed by ocs or affirmation, in pre-
sence of the said Magistrate, who then attcsts lie
execution OF this Formally
q Every Deposition or .lffdnpit ought to be
subscribed by the Deponcnt or Person making
as well as confirmed by his oath or affirmation
and should then be attested in due form by the
Magistrate before whomit is made 1t is part
cularly required that those individuals who ~,
pose to the identity OF another, should subscribe
their deposition to render the Identification valid
g. A substitution OF a Power of Attorney MAY
De made authentic in very few words, and NAV be
ncribed on the original Power, If sufficient
space for the purpose be there found If execu
ted on separate paper, il is TO be attached to The
original instrument III the usual Manner and Sc
cured by the ,Notargal Seal. In applications t,r
Land Warrants, the following simple form will
be admitted, viz,
Know all men by theses Presents, that I. A. II.
Attorney OF ID, by the annexed Power duly con-
stituted and appointed, do, byvirtue of the pow
er of substitution with which 1 am thereby ex.
pressly invested, make, constitute and apDoint f.
L 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
We're personally present.
In witness whereofI have hereunto set nv
hand ana seal at--ths--day OLA. D..
(Signed) A.B rSeall
I, q IL, Notary Public, &c.
dolereby declare and make known, that the a.
Dove substitution was duly executed by the a.
ioresald A B, before me. In Testimony whereof
have hereunto affixed my Official Seal and Sig
nature, at--this-dsy Of, A. d. 49,.
N Is. As there are MARI Sections of the u
States where Notary Public does not commonly
oticate-the aforesaid substitution shall be there
iegalized by the Official attestation of the Clerk
OF the County Court.
4. In the information heretofore published re-
lative to ascertaining "ieystmate heir a. Le7v''
who may apply for Military Bounty Land in
Right OF a deceased Soldier, the expression,
Z" Certificates from competent authority has
been Thoughts by some, not sufficiently explicit
Ito remove, therefore, all doubt on this point in
term
[" competent authority" arose from representa-
tons ofong standing at this office, confrmative of
the fact that in diierentStates component parts of
ofthe American Union, the legal mode of proving
" Hership" for the purposes of inherting 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-
oning the term " competent authority" is, that
the Person so pretending to be Legitimate
Her 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 he resides 20 take cognzance
of the point in question, for local or other purpo-
ses. A duly authenticated Certificate from that
Tribunal or Public Officer, has ever been, and
will continue TO be deemed at this Office conclu-
sive Evidence in such Case. Thus, an Official
Certificate declaratiye of tbs fact that such an
one is a Legitimate Heir at Law of such an one
issued by COURT Of RECoRD, AK ORDISARY, A
JUDaE OF PEoBATE-accordmg to the Laws and
usages of different States, have been deemed
equally admissible at this Office.
1t should be observed, however, that in cases o
posthumous Claims to the Military Bounty Landf
by an Act of Congress Of the 10Th of
December, 1914, it is essential that the Claimant
should estnblish not only that he is ga legitimate
Heir at Law" but also the particular degree of
he bore to 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, yet in all cases where " the |
legitimate Heirs at Law" are Minors, Guardian |
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 Credentials |
proving his said quality.
.NoUsm5e- %, 1915.
GTrhe Printers authorised to publish the |
Laws of the u States are requested to insert the
sobve three times