Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-10-17
Burlington. Sept. 1850.
OFFICIAL.
THE BOUNTY LAND BILL.
Montpelier, Oct. 10.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Octoher z 1850.

October 3, 1850
The Congress of the United States, at its late
session, having in spirit of justice and liberal
iiy passed an act "granting bounty land to GER
tain officer and soldiers who have been engaged
in the military service of the United Sates," the
President has esteemed it no less privilege
than duty 10 adopt all the means in his power
TO give prompt and efficient operation TO this be-
nehcent measure.
/ deem 1t proper therefore, to announce to
those entitled to the benefits of the law, that
with his sanction have caused all the necessa-
ry forms and Instructions to guide claimants in
applying for and obtaining their rights TO be pre-
pared, and they now in the hands of the
printer. At the earliest practicable moment CO.
pies Of these papers will be forwarded to each
menber 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 10 make 1t what Congress de.
signed 1t to be, a bounty to the soldier, and not
to agents and spectators.
The forms and the mode of proof have there
fore been made as simple as possible, 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
service, IN order that those who have not receiv-
ed discharges, or have accidentally lost them,
reward.
The policy Of this law in all its provisions is
to discourage speculation in the CLAIMS of sold
iers. The act provides " that all sales. mort
cages, letters OF attorney, or other Instruments
'ot writing going to affect the title or clam to
sany warrant hereinbeore provided for, made or
executed prior TO the issue, shall be null and
6 void to all intens and purposes whatsoever,
'nor shall such certificate or warrant, or The land
'obIained thereby, be in any wise affected by, or
charged With or subject 10 the payment OF any
'debt or claim incurred by such officer or sold
: Ter prior to the issuing OF the patent"
| In his judgment the ISSUE contemplated in the
body of the above recited clause of the law is
the issue of the pafent. Consequently all sales,
transfers, assign nents, and IncLmbrances of
soldiers, land clails, made before the emma
ton of the patents, are void, and will be dsre
garded by the Government. Spectators are
therefore admonisied that they can acquire no
rights by purchase which will be recognised by
tins Department.
| eei it to be my duy also to warn the frank
and confidiDg soldier against the arts and de-
vices of agents Who will seek to exaggerate the
difficulties of obtaining The land in order to en-
hahce their own charges. The evidence OF SER
vice exists among the archives of the county,
In nine Cases out of ten the only proof required
will be of the identity Of the applicant, Or of
marriage and wldowhood, or heirsIip. These
facts readily proven, and, therefore, the diff
cul,ies will, in most cases, be merely nominal
And, to remove even these slight obstacles. and
to give more full and complete effect to the mu-
nIficence of the Government, | beg leave, re-
specially, to recommend to the proper aulhori-
ties of each county and township to employ a
suitable agent, at the expense of the county, to
rrtt offh Mi md
proofs of claimants. The ignorant and unwary
would thus be protected from imposition, the
poor soldiers from burdens they are not able to
Dear, and the Government from many embarrass-
nents which may results from the awkwardness
OF incompetent agents.
In conclusion, desire to say, that great care
will be used TO guard against undue preferences
one class of applicants over others. With this
view, at the proper time, a sufficient number of
clerks will be employed to issue the certificates
with the east possible delay, so that all may
have equal chance Of making advanta geous
locations. ALEX. Fl. n. STUART.
Secretary of the Interior.