Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-10-17
lOrErcrAL.l
ne Bsuliy Land BIiI.
DEPARTKENT OF THE INTBRIoR,l
Oct. 8, 1880.
orrIcIAL.l

Otates, NJ us late session, having, IN
a spirit ofjustiee and liberaliiy, pas
sed an act granting bounty land to
certain officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the military
service of the United Stales," the
President has esteemed il no less a
privilege than a duty to adopt all
the means in his power to give
prompt and efficient operation to
This benefcent measure.
Ideem it proper, therefore, TO an
Rounce 70 those entitled to the BEN
efis of the law, that, with his sane
ton, have caused all the necessary
forms and instructions to guide claim
ants 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 for
warded to each member ofCongress,
and to the clerk Of the court Of eve-
ry county in the United States.
1t will be his purpose to admins
ter the law in such a manner as to
make it what Congress designed it
to be, a bounty to the soldier, and
MOTTO 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 applicants 10 establish
their Just demands. Clerks are now
engaged in preparing from the rolls
on file, certificates of service, in or
der that those who have not receiv-
ed discharges, or have accidentally
lost them, may not be disappointed in
obtaining their just reward.
The policy Of this law in all its
provisions is to discourage specula-
ton in the claims OF soldiers. The
act provides "that all sales, mortga-
ges, letters of attorney, and other
instruments Of writing going to af-
feet the title or claim TO any war
rant herein before provided for, made
or executed prior to the issue, shall
he null and void 10 all intents and
purposes whatsoever, nor shall such
certificate or warrant, or the land
obtained thereby, be in any wise
affected by, or charged with, or SUBJ
ject to, the payment Of any debt or
claim incurred by such officer or
soldier prior to the issuing Of the
patent"
In his judgment the issue contem-
plated in the body OF the above reci-
Ted clause of the law is the issue of
the patent. Consequently, all sales,
transfers, assignments, and incum-
brances OF soldiers land claims, made
before the emanation Of the patents,
are-void, and will be disregarded by
the Government. Spectators are
therefore admonished that they can
acquire no rights by purchase which
will be recognized by this Depart
ment.
| feel it to be my duty, also, TO
warn the frank and con6ding soldier
against the arts and devices Of agents,
who wilfseek 10 exaggerate the diff
ficuIties of obtaining the land in or
der 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 the identity
of the applicant, or Of the marriage
and widowhood, or heirship. These
are facts readily proven, and there
fore the difficulties will in most ca
ses be merely nominal. And to re-
move even these slight obstacles, and
to give more full and complete effect
to the muni6cence Of the Govern.
ment, beg leave respectfully to re-
commend 10 the proper authorities
of each county and township to en-
ploy suitable agent, at the expense
Of the county, to supervise the prep
aration of the applications and proofs
of claimants. The ignorant and un-
wary would thus be protected from
imposition, the poor soldier from bur-
dens they are not able to bear, and
the Government from many embar-
rassments which may result from
the awkwardness of incompetent
agents.
In conclusion, | desire to say that
great care will be used to guard
against undue preferences Of one
class OF applicants over others. With
this view, at the proper time, suffi-
Gent number OF clerks will be en-
pIoyed to issue the certificates with
the least possible delay, so that all
may have an equal chance ofmaking
advantageous locations.
ALEX. H. H. STUART,