The Ottawa free trader., 1850-10-26

the military service Of the United States" the
President las esteemed it no less privilege than
"A duty To adopt all the means in this bcnfcicnt
measure.
1 deem ID proper. therefore, 10 announce 10
those entitled to the benefit Of the law that with
his sanction have caused all the necessary forms
and Instructions To guide claimants in applying
Tor and obtaining their rights to bc prepared, and
That they are now IN the hands Of the printer
Al the earliest practicable mement copies Of
these papers will he forwarded to each member
Of Congress, and to the clerk of the court of .v-
cry county IN the United States.
IL will be his purpose to administer the law in
such manner as to mske it what Congress de.
signed 1t to be-, bounty to the soldier and not to
agents and SPECTATORS
1he forms and the mode Of proof having been
made as simple as possible and every facility
WIN oe offered to applicants to establish their Just
demal'ds. Clerks are now engaged in preparing.
from the rolls file, certificates Of service in or
der that those who have not received discharges.
or have accidentally lost tIsnr Nav tr,t be dis
appointed in obtaining their Just reward.
The policy of this law in all its provisions "a to
discourage speculation in the claims of soldiers
The act provides that all sales mortgages. letters
OF attorney, or other instruments of writing going
70 Affect the title or claim to any warrant hereto.
lore provided for, made or executed prior TO the
issue, shall be null aud void to all ntents and
purposes whatsoever, nor shall such certificate or
warrants, or the land obtained thereby, be in snv
wise Affected by or charged with Or subject to the
payment Oi any debt or claim incurred by such
oflcer or soldier prior 10 the issuing of III. nat
cnt" F
In his judgment the issue contemplated in the
oody OF the above recited clause of the law in
the issue OF the patent Consequently all sales.
transfers. assignments and incumbrarc.s nf sold.
lers land claim, made before the emanation Of tho
patent, nre void and will be di,rerar,lcl l,y the
government Spectators are therefore admun.
'shed mat they can acquire no right by purchase
which will be recognized by this Department,
feel 1t to be my duty also to warn the frank
and confident soldier against the acts and devices
ol agents who will seek to exagyeratc the diff.
cnltles OF obtaining the land in order to enhance
their own charges. The evidence of service exist
among the archives Of the country. In nine cos.
es Out oi ten, the only proof required will be Of
'he identity Of the applicant, or Of marriage and
"'odowhood or heirsiip. These are fac,s readily
proven and, therefore, the difficulties will in most
cases, DC merely nominal And. to remove even
Tue slightest obstacles, and to give inure full and
complete effect to thc munilccncc of the govern.
'hch'' peg leave, respectfully, to recommend TO
'he proper authorities of each county and town.
snip to employ suitable agent, at the cxpen,e
ol inc county TO supervise the preparations Of the
"Pp"oh'l"n' ana proofs Of cIalmauts The iyno.
ram and unwary would thus be protected from
imposition, and the poor soldier from burdens
th'y are not able to bear, and the government
si""' many eihoarrassinents which may result
rom Tie aWkwardness Of Incompetent agents.
I