Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-09
BOUNTY LAND BILL.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Der. 8, 1850

Drp,RrMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Oct s, lou.
Tho Congress of the United States, at its late session
hio in spirit Of Justice and beray, passed an ac
screaming bounty land TO certain officers and soldiers wh
have been engaged in the military service oil the Unitet
S,,ss the President has esteemed it less privilege
han duty to adopt all the means in his power to Civ
r,unt and efficient operation 10 this benetcent measure
deem it proper, therefore, to announce to those ehiiue'
q, tho benefits Of the law that with his sanction, nave
caused all the necessary forms and instructions to guide
claimants in applying for and obtaining their rights to d.
nrepared and they now in the hands OF the printer
The earliest practicable moment copies OF the papers VIII OF
forwarded to each member of Congress, and to the clerk
the court ofevery county in the United States
II will be his purpose 10 administer the law In such
as to make what Congress designed 1t TO bea ooun
~ to the soldier, and not to agents and SPECTATORS ne
farms and the mode proof have therefore been made as
simne as possible, and facility will be Afforded to The aP
nants 10 establish their just demands. Clerks are now
ENGAGED in preparing from the rolls files. certificates oil
service in order that those who have not received dis
charges or have accidentally lost them, may not be disaP
nuined in obtaining their just reward.
The pocy of this law in all its provisions is to dscour-
sue specuaton the claims of soldiers The act provides
"hat no sales, mortgages letters OF attorney, and oher III
stmmens of writing going To affect the le or claim 10 a.
nv warrant hereinbeore provided for made or executed
nyior o The ISSUE shall be null and void to all lnens and
pnnoses Whatsoever nor shall such certificate or waantor
the land obtained thereby, be in any wise aeced Oy OF
cha rred WITH or subject to- the payment of any debt or
claim incurred by such officer soldier prior to The issuing
of the patent" IL. g
In his Judgment the issue contemplated in the body OF
the above reced clause of the law is the issue Of The pat
ent Consequently, all Sales transfers, assignments ana
incumoances of soldiers land Claims made before The en-
anaon of the patents void and will be dsregaded oy
The Government Spectators are therefore admonsneo
that they can acquire rights by purchase which Will be
recognized by this department
J,,ty ole IN
fdnG soder against the arts and devices o agents. VINO
seek To exaggerae the difficulties OF obtaining heand IN Of
der to enhance their own charges c
The evidence of service exists among the archives oil the
country 10 nine cases out of len the only proof requ-
ed will be the identity of the applicant or OF the mar
rage and wdowhoud, heshp. These are facts readily
proven and therefore the difficulties will in most cases be
merely nominal And these
and To give more full and complete effect 10 The munlcence
of the Government beg leave respectfully to recommend
to the proper authorities of each county and township TO
employ suitable agent, at the expense OF the county, TO
supervise the preparation of the applications and pous OF
claimants The ignorant and unway would thus be pro-
teced from mposiion the poor soldier from burdens they
are not able to BEAR and The Government from many en-
barrassmens which may result from the awkwardness vi
incompetent agents.
In conclusion desire say that great care will be used
to guard against undue preferences of one class OF apP
canis over Others With this view, at the proper time,
sufficient number of clerks will be employed to issue the
certificates with the least possible delay, that all may
have an equal chance Of making advantageous locations
ALEX. II. Fl. STUART,
Secretary of The Interior.