The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-10-11
THE BOUNTY LAND LAW.

There has been some uncertainty about this
important law, occasioned by the attempt to
pass supplemental bill, and the supposition
that its operation to depend upon the interpre-
tation to be given it by the Executive Depart
ment A circular just issued by the Secretary
of the Interior removes all doubt upon the sub.
iect The meaning of the Bounty Land law
is now established by an authoritative exPosl-
ton. There is now no doubt whatever that
no transfer of bounty land is valid before the
issuing the patent. With the Washington Re.
public we rejoice at the truly paternal precau-
tions which the President has taken to secure
to the veteran soldiers of the Republic the just
rewards of their valor: Not only does that Of
fcer declare in the most emphatic manner,
that all transfers are void before the issuing OF
the patent but he provides that the simple forms
of proceeding necessary to obtain the land
shall be published and furnished TO the clerk oil
every county court in the United States and
to each member of Congress. They are now
in the hands of the printer. He moreover re-
commends that every county and township IN
the United States shall provide means for hay
ing the rights of the soldier verified without ex-
pense, by employing suitable agent at the
expense of the county or township-to super
wise the preparation of the applications and
proofs of claimants These precautions will
secure the bounty of the country directly to
those for whom it was intended, and not to
SPECTATORS and agents The Repu lie says
Persons interested will, however, take notice
that no transfer is binding until after the pat
ent for the land shall be granted that all such
transfers are contrary to law and void. They
will, moreover, take notice
l. That their military service and discharge
will appear on the company and regimental
rolls, now in tho Auditors office.
2. That these rolls will here, by order ofthe
President, published, and the claimant will find
them, with the forms necessary to establish his
right, in every clerks Office in the United
States.
g. Tia. the soldier need only prove his iden-
tity-the widowher nlarriage-the heir his right
to inherit
We therefore advise the soldier to wait for
short time until the rolls and forms of proceed
iny shall be distributed. He will then 60 to the
clerks office OF the county court, and examine
the rolls for his name, his term Of service and
date of discharge. Upon filling upa proper
form, which tie clerk will furnish, he will obtain
without fee or reward, the patent for land to
which he is entitled under the law, and this
without intervention of any agent or speculator
whatsoever.
Should it be announcement to the claimant to
locate the land in person, he may transmit his
warrant to the commissioner ofthe general land
office, whose duty it is to cause to be located,
free of expense, "any warrant which the holder
many transmit to the general land Office for that
purpose, in such State and land district as the
said holder or warrantee may designate, and
upon good farming land, so far as the same can
be ascertained
The official circular concludes as follows:
In donclusion, | desire to say, that great care
will be used to guard against undue preferen-
ces of one class of applicants over others
With this view, at the proper time, a sufficient
number Of clerks will be employed to issue the
certificates with the least possible delay, 80
that all may have an equal chance of making
advantageous locations.
ALEX. H. II. STUART,
Secretary of the Interior.