Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-10-25
OFFICIAL.
THE BOUNTY LAND BILL.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, !

October 3, 1850.
The Congress Of the United States, at
Its late session, having in spiri. of JUS
tice and liberality passed an act "grant-
ing bounty land to certain officers and
soldiers who have been engaged in the
military service of the United States"
the President has esteemed it no less a
privilege than a duty to adopt all the
measures in his power 10 give prompt
and efficient operation to this benificent
measure.
| deem it proper, therefore, TO an
nounce to those entitled to the benefits of
the law, that with his sanction have
caused all the necessary forms and in
structions to guide claimants in applying
for and obtaining their rights to be pre-
pared, and they are now in the hands OF
the printer. At the earliest practible mo-
nent copies of these papers will be for
warded to each member of Congress,
and TO the Clerk of the Court of every
county in the United Stctes
II will be his purpose to administer
the law in such a manner as to make il
what Congress designed it to be, a boun-
ty to the soldier, and not TO agents and
spectators.
The forms and the mode of proof
have therefore been made as simple as
possible, and every facility will be af-
forded 10 applicants to establish their
just demands. Clerks are now engaged
in preparing from the rolls on file cerlif-
Gates of service, in order that those who
have not received discharges, or have ac-
cidentally lost them. may not be disap-
pointed in obtaining their just reward.
The policy of this law in all its pro-
visions is 10 discourage speculation in
the claims of soldiers. The act provides
"all sales, mortgages, letters of attorney,
| or other instruments of writing going 10
affect the title or claim to any warrant
herenbefore provided for, made or exc
cuted prior to the issue, shall be null and
void to all intents and purposes whatso-
ever, nor shall such certificate or war
rant, or the land obtained thereby, be
in any wise affected by, or charged
with, or subject 10 the payment Of any
debt or claim incurred by such of officer
or soldier prior TO the issuing of the pat
ent."
In his judgment the issue contempla-
ted in the body of the above recited
clause of the law is the issue of the
patent. Consequently all sales, trans
fers, assignments, and membranes of
soldiers land claims, made before the
cmenatipn Of the patents, are void, and
will be disregarded BY the Government.
Spectators are therefore admonished
that they can acquire no rights by pur-
chase 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 deYices of agents who will seek
to exaggerate the difficulties of obtain
ing 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
required will be of the identity of the
applicant, or OF marriage and widowhood
or heirship. These are facts readily
proven, and, therefore, the difficulties
will in most cases, be merely nominal.
And, to remove even these slight obsia-
cles, and to give more full and complete
effect to the muni6cence of the Govern
ment, beg leave, respectfully. TO recon-
mend to the proper authorities of eac b
county and township to employ suita-
bic agent, al the expense of the county,
to supervise the preparation of the ap.
piications and proofs If claimants. The
ignorant and unwary would thus be pro
tecied from imposition, he poor soldiers
from busdens they are not able to bear
and the Government from many embar-
easements which may result from the
awkwardness Of incompetent agents.
In conclusion, desire TO say, tina
great care viii be used TO guard agains
undue preferences of one class of appli
canls over others. With this view, a
the proper time. a sufficient number Of
clerks will be employed TO issue the GER
tificates with the least possible delay, Sc
that all may have an equal chance Of ma
king advantageous locations.
ALEX. I'll. III. STUART,
Secretary of the Interior.