The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-04
r H E r E P u Bill C
WASH N GTON:
FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 4, 1850.
o + FL G IA l..
The Bounty Land Bill.
DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR,
October 8 lSh0

I
| DEPARTMENT or THE INTEaIoR,)
| October 3, 1850.
The Congress Of the United States at it's late scs-
sion, 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 prompt
and efficient operation to this benefcent measure.
deem it 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 to be, bounty TO the soldier, and not to
agents and spectators.
The forms and the mode of proof have therefore
been made simple as possible, and every facility
will be afforded to applicants to establish their just
demands. Clerks now engaged in preparing
from the rolls file certificates of service, in order
that those who have not received discharges, or
have accidentally lost them, may not be disap-
pointed 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 Gales, mortgages, let
ters of attorney, or other instruments of writing
going to affect the title or claim TO any warrant
hereinbefore provided for, made or executed prior
TO the issue, sha be null and void TO all intents
and purposes whatsoever, nor shall such certificate
or warrant, or the land obtained thereby, be in
any wise affected by, charged with, or subject
to the payment of any debt or claim incurred by
such officer soldier prior 10 the issuing of the
patent"
In his judgment the isius contemplated in he
body Of the above rected clause of the law ia the
issue " the patent. Consequently all sales, trans
fers, assignments, and membranes Of soldiers
land claims, made before the emanation Of the pat
ents, are void and will be dsregarded by the Gov
eminent Spectators are therefore admonishcd
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 acts and devices
of agents who will seek to exaggerate the Difficult
ties Of obtaining the land in order 20 enhance their
own charges. The evidence Of service exists
among the archives Of the country. In nine
cases out Of only proof required will be Of
the identity Of the applicant, or Of marriage and
widoUhood. or heirship. These are facts readily
proven, and. therefore, the difficulties will in most
cases, be merely nominal. And, 10 remove even
these slight obstacles, and to give more full and
complete effect 10 the munifcence Of the Govern
mcnt, beg leave, respectfully, to recommend to
the proper authorities Of each county and town.
ship TO employ suitable agent, at the expense Of
the county, TO supervise the preparation of the
applications and proofs Of claimants. The igno-
rant and unwary would thus be protected from
imposition, the poor sodiers from burdens they
are not able TO bear, and the Government from
many embarrassnents 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, sufficient number Of
clerks will be employed to issue the certificates
with the least possible delay, 20 that all may have
an equal chance Of making advantageous loca-
tions. ALEX. H. H. STUART,
Secretary Of the Interior