Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-09-12
August, 1912.
TPUBLIc-No. 401

AN ACT to provide for the armed occupation
and settlement Of the unsettled part Of The pen
insua Of Fast Florida.
Be il enacted By The Senate and House Of Repre-
seniaiiueS Of The United StdeS Of America in Con.
greSs assembled That any person, being the head
OF family, single man over eighteen years Of
age, able TO bear arms who has made, or shall
within one year from and after the passage of
this act, make an actual settlement within that
part OF Florida situate and being south of the line
dividing townships numbers nine anu ten south,
g. east of the base line shall he entitled to quar-
ter section of said land, OH the following condi-
tons and stipulations:
First, Chat said settler shall obtain from the
register Of the land Office in the district in which
he proposes to settle, permit describing, as par
tlcularly as may he practicable, the place where
his or her settlement is intended to he made -
ProDded That no person who shall he resident
OF Florida at the Time OF the passage this act,
who shall be the owner Of one hundred and sixty
acres OF land at the time he proposes TO settle, shall
be entitled TO permit from the register.
Second That said settler shall reside in The
Territory of Florida, south of said township line,
for FIVE consecutive years, and 10 take his grant on
any public land south OF that township.
Third That said settler shall erect thereon a
house fit for the habtalion ofman, and shall clear
enclose and cultivate at least five acres OF said land
ndresde thereon for the space of four years next
following the first year after the date OF his permit
IT he or she shall so long live.
Fourth. Tint such settler shall within one year
after the survey of said lands, and the opening oil
the proper Office for the entry and sale of the same
by the United States, prove before such tribunal
ana III such manner and form as shall he prescrb-
ed by the Commissioner Of the General Lund OF
fee with the approval of the President, the fac
that the settlement has been commenced, an1 the
particular quarter section upon which il is local
ed; and also that such settler shall, within sis
months after the expiration of five years from ,hI
date OF his permit prove in like manner, the fact o
continued residence and cultivation, us required
in the second and third conditions herein above
prescribed; whereupon, and not until then, pa
tent shall issue to said settler, for such quarie
section.
SEC. 2. And be Il further enacted, That ia t,i'
case of the settlement of the same quarter seclioi
by Two or more settlers the right 10 the Location
shall be determined by priority of settlement, Il
be ascerIained under such rules the Commits
sioner of the general land office, with the approx
al OF the PRESIDENT may prescribe; and the sub
sequent settler or settlers shal! he permitted to 10
cate the quantity he, she or they may he entitled
TO- elsewhere within the same township upon va
cant public lands.
SEC. 3. find be IL further enacted, That no RICH
or donation shall he acquired under this act with
in two miles OF amy permanent military posts o
the United States, established and garrisoned n
the time such settlement and residence was com
menced
SEC. 4. .4nd be ii further enacted, That all sales
gifts, devlses, agreements, bonds, or powers L
SELL transfers. or liens whatsoever, private or judi
cta', Of the lands, or any portion thereof, acquire
py ms act made at any time before patents shn
nave been issued for the same, shall he utterl
'olu ana without effect, TO every intent and pur
rose' whether in law or equity and the purchas
er or oblIgee, under any such sale, agreemen
bond or power to sell. transfer or lien, shall no
he entitled 10 recover back the price or consdera
ton paid therefor, but shall forfeit The same Also
lulely to such settler or his heirs.
SEC. 5. .9ndbe IL further enacted, That upon tn
death of any settler before tho end Olive wears.
before the issuing Of the patent, all his rights IN,
der this act shall descend to his widow and heir
at law, IL he leaves widow, and to his heirs a