Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-10-11
Observer
Bounty Land Claims.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
October 3. 1850

October 8. 1850 {
The Congress of the United States, at its last ses-
sion, having in spirit of justice and liberality pass
ed an act granting bounty land to certain officers
and soldiers who have been engag ed in the military
service of the United States the President has
teemed 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
a manner to make it what Congress des gned it to
be, bounty to the soldier, and not to agents and
Spectators.
The lorms and the mode of proof have therefore
been made as simple possible, and every facility
will be afforded to applicants to establish their just
demands Clerks are 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 disappointed in
obtaining their just reward.
The policy of the law in all its provisions is to dis
courage speculation in the claims of soldiers. The
act provides that all sales, mortgages letters Of
attorney, or other instruments of writing going to
affect the title claim to any warrant herein-before
provided for made or executed prior to the issue
shall be null and void to all intents and purposes
whatsoever, nor shall such certificate warrant OIL
the land obtained thereby be in any wise affected
by, or charged with, or subject to the payment o.
any debt or claim incurred by such officer soldier
prior to the issuing of the patent
In his Judgment the contemplated in the body
of the above rected clause of the law is the issue
the patent Consequently all sales, transfers assign
ments aud membranes of soldiers land claims
made before the emanation of the patents are void
and will be disregarded by the Government. Spec
ulators therefore admonished that they &C
quire no rights by purchase which will be recOgnz
ed by this department.
feel it to be my duty also to warn the frank and
confding soldier against the arts and devices o
agents who will seek to exaggerate the difficulties
obtaining the land in order to enhance their owl
charges. The evidence of service exists among tn
archives of the country. In nine cases out of ten
the only proof required will be the identity of tn
applicant, or of marriage and widowhood. heir
ship. These are facts readily proven, and therefore
the difficulties will, in most cases, be merely nom
nal. And, to remove even these slight obstacles
to give more full and complete effect to the munf
cence of the government, beg leave, respectfully
recommend to the proper authorities of each count
and township to employ suitable agent at tn
expense of the county. to supervise the preparato
of the applications and proofs of claimants. TIL
ignorant and unwary would thus be protected frol
imposition, the poor soldiers from burdens they al
not able to BEAR and the Government from man
embarrassments which may result from the awl
wardness of incompetent agents.
u In conclusion, desire to say, that great care wi
be used to guard against undue preference of on
class of applicants others With this view, q
the proper time sufficient number of clerks will
employed to issue the certificates with the least pos
sible delay, that all may have an equal chance
making advantageous locations.
j ALEX. H. STUART,
/ Secretary ofthe Interior.