The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-04
Bounty Land Law-Clrcular OF the secre-
tary OF the Interior.

There has been some uncertainty about this
important law, occasioned by the attempt to
pass supplemental bill, and the supposition
that its operation would depend upon the inter
probation to be given it by the Executive De-
partment. The circular of the Secretary of the
Interior removes all doubt upon the subject.
The meaning of the Bounty Land law is now
established by an authoritative exposition.
There is now no doubt whatever that no trans
fer of bounty land is valid before the issuing of
the patent. We rejoice at the truly paternal
precautions which the President has taken to
secure to the veteran soldiers of the Republic
the Just rewards of their valor Not only does
that officer 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 10 the clerk of eve
ry county court in the United States. He more
over recommends that every county and town
ship in the United States shall provide means
for having the rights of the soldier verified with
out expense These precautions will secure
the bounty of the country directly to those for
whom it was intended, and not to spectators
and agents. We have been informed that
system of buying up these claims has been ex-
tensively practised in anticipation of the pas
sage of this law. Very smart persons have per
suaded the unsuspeciing soldier that his claim
can only be established with trouble and ex-
pense. These persons have msgnifed the diff
fculhes of proving the service Of the soldier
and having bewildered the honest claimant. OF
the confdinE widow, with imaginary obstacles
have in many sases obtained large interest in
the claim for services which any dry-goods
clerk can render as efficiently, under the plain
instructions Of the PREsnEST, as the Attorney
General of the United States. In this way
we understand, thousands Of claims have been
bought up.
Persons interested will, however, take notice
that no transfer is binding until after the pa
tent for the land shall be granted; that ali
such transfers are contrary to law and void.
They will, moreover, take notice
l.. That their military service and discharge
will appear upon the company and regimental
rolls. now in the Auditors office.
9. That these rolls will be, by order Of the
President. published, and the claimant will
find them, with the forms necessary to establish
his rights, in every clerks Office in the United
States.
g. That the soldier need only prove his iden-
tity-the widow her marriage--the heir his
right TO inherit.
We therefore advise the soldier 10 wait for
short time until the rolls and forms Of pro-
ceeding shall be distributed He will then 90
10 the clerks office Of the county court, and ex
anime the rolls for his name, his term Of ser
vice, and date Of discharge. Upon filling up
proper form which the 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 the intervention Of any agent or
speculator whatsoever.
Should il be inconyenient TO the claimant 10
locate the land in person, he may transmit his
warrant 10 the Commissioner Of the General
Land Office, whose duty it is TO cause TO be
located, free of expense, "any warrant which
the holder may transmit 10 the General Land
Office for that purpose, in such State and land
district as the said holder OF warrantee may
{ designate, and upon good farming land, so far
as the same can be ascertained."