Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-10-05
THE BOUNTY LAND BILL.

II .gs DxPARTaEST on THE ISTERIon, Ger. 8, 1850.
The Congress Of the United States, at lis late
session. having, in spirit Of justice and liberality,
passed an act "granting bounty land to certain
officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the
military service Of the United States" the PREsI-
DENT has esteemed it no less privilege than
duty to adopt all the means in his power to give
lprompt and efficient operation to this benefcent
measure.
deem proper, therefore, to announce to those
entitled TO the benefits of the law, that, with his
sanction, have caused all the necessary forms and
instructions to guide claimants in applying for and
obtaining their rights to be prepared, and they are
now in the hands of the printer. AT the earliest
practicable moment copies of these papers will be
forwarded to each member of Congress, and to the
clerk of the court of every county in the United
States.
1t will be his purpose to administer the law in
such manner as TO make it what Congress de-
signed ii TO be, bounty to the soldier, and not to
agents and spectators. The forms and the mode
of proof have therefore been made as simple as
possible and every facility will be afforded to APP
plcants to establish their just demands. Clerks
are now engaged in preparing, from the rolls on
file, certificates of service in order that those who
lost them, may not be disappointed in obtaining
their just reward.
The policy of this law in all its provisions is to
discourage speculation in the claims of soldiers.
The act provides that all sales, mortgages letters
of Attorney and other instruments of writing going
to affect the title or claim to any warrant herein
before provided for, made executed prior to the
issue, shall be null and void to all intens and pur
poses whatsoever, nor shall such certificate or
warrant or the land obtained thereby, be in any
wise affected by, or charged with, or subject to,
the payment of any debt or claim incurred by
such officer soldier prior to the issuing of the
patent"
In his judgment the issue contemplated in the
body of the above recited clause Of the law is the
issue OF the patent Consequently, all sales, trans
fers assignments, and membranes of soldiers land
claims, made before the emanaton of the patents
are void, and will be disregarded by the Govern
ment. Spectators are therefore admonished that
they can acquire no rights by purchase which will
be recognised by this Department
feel it to be my duty, also, to warn the frank
and confding soldier against the arts and devices
of agents, who will seek to exaggerate the Difficult
ties of obtaining the land in order to enhance their
own charges.
The evidence of service exists among the archives
of the country. In nine cases out of ten the only
proof required will be of the identity of the app
cant, or of the marriage and widowhood, or heir
ship. These are facts readily proven, and there
fore the difficulties will in most cases be merely
nominal. And to remove even these slight OBJ
stacles, and to gvemore full and complete effect tc
the munifcence 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 proofs o
claimants. The ignorant and unwary would thus
be protected from imposition, the poor soldier from
burdens they are not able to bear, and the Govern
ment frem many endorsements which may result
| from the awkwardness of incompetent agents.
In conclusion, desire to say that great care viii
be used to guard against undue preferences of one
class of applicants over others. With this view, a
the proper time, a sufficient number of clerks viii
be employed to issue the certificates with the leas
possible delay, SO that all may have an equa
chance Of making advantageous locations.
/ ALEX. H. H. STUART,
Secretary Of the Interior