The Empire County argus., 1854-09-30
prc-Eniptions the Public DomaIn.-What L.
necessary TO secuae them,

addressed to Registers and Receivers Of the United
States Land Offices in California, that in order for
pre-emptors secure their claims there are many
things to be considered and acts done of which the
people of this State not generally cogn.kant We
purpose therefore, for the benefit of those interest
ed to give condensed statement Of the contents Of
this Circular; r ..
By an Act of Sd March, 1853, the pre.emption
laws we're extended over California. These laws
authorized settlements to be made on public lands
in this State not net surveyed, If made iia one Iear
from the passage Of the Act of the 3rd March last
hat such settlements will not be recognized under
these laws if made subsequent to that period
The sixteenth, and thrty-sixth sections which
have been donated the State for school purposes
if settled on, can bc held by prc.emptors and the
State may select other lands in lieu of those thus
settled on. ...
By thi, Act lands 'reser-ed on account Of cls inns
under French, Spanish. or other grants. which have
been or shall be hereafter declared by the Supreme
Court of the United States to be invalid, will be en-
titled to the right of pre-emption after the lands
have been released from reservation in tho game
manner as if no reservation existed
The person claiming the benefit Of these Acts
must be citizen Of the United States, or have dc.
clared his intention to Lecome such must be the
head of family, or a widow, Or u single man over
twenty years of age. These lands may be paid
for by military land warrants at the rate of 81 25
per acre But one warrant can be used in each pre-
enpton Parties settling such lands are re-
CURED to file their declaratory statements with the
proper Register containing the precise day of set
tlemcnt &c. within three months of the fling Of
the township plat in said Registers Office The
proof affidavit and payment of these lands may be
made at any time previous to the day fixed by the
Presidents proclamation for the commencement of
the public sale of lands included in the tract.
The tracts liable to enter under this Act, are--a
regular quarter secton Notwithstanding its quantity
may be few acres more or less than one hundred
and sixty acres; any lesser subdivision, any dd-
joining legal subdivision, the aggregate number of
acres in which does not exceed one hundred and
sixty acres; but these regular quarter sections or
legal subdivisions not of course be known until
the legal surveys by the United States have been
made.
The hoirs Of parties who die before ting
their claims by the filing Of the proper papers, &c,
will have the right to perfect the claim.
By this Act person who has once filed decla-
ration for one tract of land, cannot at any future
period file . second declaration for another tract
No person who is the proprietor Of three hn.d1ed
end tucy of land in any State Territory Of
the United States is entitled the benefits of this
Aot.
No person who shall quit or aJandon his residence
on his 0Un lGnd an California, to reside the pub
lie lands is entitled to the benefits of this Act
NO USSt3H 3HHfeM Ut FUHSfS VI PTc-eiHptlOn SHtS
be recognized of'entries made wit castor Teco-
AMionGry hlndscript. The patents must Issue to the
claimants, in whose names all such entries must be
made but where the claim has been located by
military 1rarfant, made assgnable per Act Of Con-
gress approved March o. 1922 the certificate of
location may be asst gned and the patent will be is-
sued to the assignee.
The following description Of lands are exempt from
the operations OF these Acts
I-t- I outis led bvo he
treaty, law, or proclamation Of the President of the
United States and lands reserved for salines or any
other purposes.
2d-Lands reserved fer the support of schools
except as to sections sixteenth and thirty-six
SUiccgcd land as hereintotorc mentioned.
Sd.-Any indian reservation to which the title
has been Or may be cxtinguished by the u States
at any time during the operation OF this Act.
4th.--SectOns of land reserved to the United
States, alternate to other sections which may here
after bo granted to the State for the construction of
any canal railroad, or other public improvement.
except where the settlements may be made on such
land between the time OF reservation and the final
allotment referred to the Act OF Sd March 1853,
Chapter l43 second session of thirty second Con-
gress
5th-Sections Of fractions of sections included
within the limits any incorporated town.
6th-Every portion Of the public lands which
has been selected as site for city or town.
7th.-Every parcel or lot of land actually settled
and occupied Tor the purpose Of trade, and not ag
riculture.
8th.--All lands on which are situated any known
salineg or mines.
9,h.--Lands reserved by competent authority,
and those claimed under any foreign grant or title.
l0th.--Land in the possession occupation Of
an Indian tribe.
llth--Lands selected for military post OF with
in mile Of such post
Those claiming the benefit Of this Act are requr-
ed to furnish proof by one disnteresed wit
nesscs Of the facts necessary to establish the three
requisites pointed out in these instructions, cit
izenShp, family relations, age and the inhabita
tion of the tract sought.
RICH DIGaINGs.--The metropolis of the musketo
kingdom has been destroyed, and the valorous So
len Bolrand is avenged. The greatness of Uncle