The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-10-18
From The Washington Republic.
BOUNTY LAND LAW-CIRCU-
LAR OF THE SECRETARY
OF THE INTERIOR,

OF THE INTERIOR.
There has been some uncertainty
about this important law, occasioned
by the attempt to pass a supplemental
bill, and the superstition that its opera.
lion would depend upon the inter.
probation to be given it by the Exc
cutive Department. 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
whateves that no transfer of bounty
land is valid before the issuing Of the
patent. We rejoice at the truly
paternal precautions which the Prcs-
dent has taken to secure to the veteran
soldiers of the Republic the Just re.
wards Of their valor. Not only does
that officer declare, in the most en-.
phatic 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 Of every county court in
the United States. He moreover re-
commcnds that every county and
township in the United States shall
provide means for having the rights of
the soldier verified without 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 buy.
ing up these claims has been extern
sivcly pracliccd in anticipation Of The
passage of this law. Very smart
persons have persuaded the unsus-
pccting soldier that his claim can only
be established with trouble and cx.
pcnsc. These persons have magni.
fed the difficulties of proving the
service of the soldier; and having
bewiIdercd the honest claimant, or the
conGding widow. with imaginary oh.
staclcs, have in many cases obtained
n large interest in the claim for ser
vices which any dry. goods clerk can
render as efficiently. under the plain
instructions of the President, rs 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 patent 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 upon the com.
pany and regimentaI rolls, now in the
Auditors office.
9. That these rolls will he, 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.
$ That the soldier need only prove
his idcn.ity--,he widow her marriage
the heir his right to inherit.
We therefore advise the soldier to
wait for a short time until the rolls
and forms of proceeding shall be dis.
tribu,ed. He will then 90 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 a 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 agcn: or SPECTATOR whatso'
ever.
Should it be inconvcnient TO the
claimant 20 locate the land in person.
he may transmit his warrant to the
Commissioner Of the General Land
Office. whose duty it is TO cause to be
located, free of expense, "any war
rant which the holder may transmit
to the General Land Office for that
purpose, in such State and land dis.
irict as the said holder or warrantce
may designate, and upon good farm.
ing land, so far as the same can be
ascertained."
BEDFORD, Pa.) Oct. ].