Washington telegraph., 1850-10-30

rest bv the annexed circular from the |
Secretary os the Interior. We are glad
that the interpretation given to the law
is such as "to make it what Congress de- |
siuued it to- be, bounty to the soldier, |
and not agents and spectators. lhe
Secretary of the Interior, 1t Will be seen'
emphaticaly declares that "ali sales' |
transfers, assignments, aud incumberences
of soldiers land claims, made before The !
emanation of the patents, are VOID, ana
will be disregarded by the Government
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
October 3, 1850.
The Congress Of the United States. at
its late session, having in spirit OF JUS
tice and liberality passed an act grant.
ing bounty land to certain officers ana
soldiers who have been engaged IN the
military service Of the United States,
the President has esteemed 1t no less
privilege than duty to adopt all the
means in his power to give prompt aud
efficient operation TO this bcnlhcent
measure.
deem it proper, therefore, to an
nounce to those entitled 10 the Dement'S
of the law, that with his sanction have
caused all the necessary iorms and 'n-
structions to guide claimants III applying
for and obtaining their rights, 10 be pre-
| pared, and they are now IN the hands OF
! the printer At the earliest practical
moment, copies Of these papers will be
| forwarded to each member of Congress,
and 10 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, as TO make 1t
what Congress designed it to be, boun-
ty TO The sOEdier, and not 10 agents and
spectators.
The forms and the mode of proof have
| therefore been made as simple as posi-
BILE, and every facility will be afforded TO
applicants to establish their Just demands.
Clerks are now engaged in preparing
from the rolls on file certificates OF SER
vice, in order that those who have not
received discharges, or have accidentally
lost them, may not be disappointed III OBJ
tanning their just reward.
The policy of this law i'll all its provis-
ions is TO discourage speculation IN the
claims of soldiers The act provides
sthat all sales, mortgages. letters of at
torney, or other instruments OF writing
going to affect the title or claim TO any
warrant hereinbefore provided ior, made
or executed prior 10 the issue, shall be
null and void 10 all intents aud purposes
Whatsoever nor shall such certificate or
warrant, or the land obtained thereby
be in anv wise affected by, or charged
with, or subject to the payment OF auy
debt or claim incurred by such officer or
soldier prior to the issuing OF the patent
In his Judgment the issue contenipla-
ted in the body of the above reciteo
clause is the issue of the patent. Con-
sequently, all sales, transfers. assignments
and iucumberences of soldiers land claims,
made before the emanatlon OF the pat
ents, are void and will be disregarded by
the Government Spectators are there
fore admonlshed that they can acquire no
rights by purchase which will be recog-
nised by this Department.
| feel it to be my duty also 10 warn the
frank and confding soldier against the
acts aud devices of agents who will seek
TO exaggerate the difficulties oe obtaining
the land in order 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 re-
uuired will be of the identity OF the APP
plicant, or Of marriage and widowhood.
or neirship These are facts readily
proven, and therefore the difficulties will,
| in most cases be merely nominal. Aud,
10 remove even these slight obstacles,
and to give more full and complete effect
| to the muuificence Of the Government,
beg leave to respectfully, TO recommend
to the proper authorities OF each county
and township, to employ a suitable agent.
at the expense Of the county, 10 super
wise the preparation of the applications
aud proofs of claimants. The iguorant
and unwary would thus be protected
! from imposition, the poor soldiers from
burdens they are not able 10 bear, and
the Government from many embarrass-
ments which may result from the awk-
wardness OF incompetent agents.
In conclusion, l desire to say, that
great care will be used TO guard against
undue preferences of one class of appl
cants over others. With this view, at
the proper time, sufficient number Of
clerks will be employed to issue the GER
tifcates with the least possible delay. so
that al. may have an equal chance of
making advantageous locations.
ALEX. H. H STUART.
Secretary Of the Interior.
The Republic, in publishing the above
circular accompanies it with the follow
ing remarks, which we commend to the
attention of all persons having claims
under the law
We have been informed that system
of buying up these claims has been ex-
tensively practised In anticipation OF the
| r,.e,na Of thic iaW NPrV smart perSOuS