Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-03-31

frecs,. Below we give the Dill Itself. III
is proper to say that the final passage of
the bill is extremely doubtful. II
gives every alternate quarter section Of
land to actual settlers. This, as It
would apply to the new Territories.
would not be agreeable to the friends
Of slavery. These alternate sections
would be taken up more rapidly by
emigrants and settlers from free States,
md thus In some measure destroying
the chances Of slavery on large con-
nected bodies Of land-without which
the slave system would be much re-
duccd in value.
OF course therefore the Senate will
oppose il. II IL passes at all, il will be
late In the session, and after being so
amended as TO make itmorc acceptable
to the south
The following is correct copy OF Il
rs il passed the House:
A bill TO grant homestead OF one
hundred and sixty acres Of the pub
lie lands 10 actual settlers.
Be IL enacted blythe Senate aud House
Of Representatives. Of the United States
of america IN Congress assembled,
That any free white person who is the
head OF family, or who has arrived
at the age Of twcnty-one years, and Is
citizen Of the United States, shall,
from and after the passage Of this act,
be entitled to enter. free Of cost, one
quarter section Of vacant and unap-
propriated public lands, which may, at
the time the application IS made, be
subject to private entry at one dollar
and twenty-five cents per acre, or a
quantity equal thereto, to be locatedin
body. in conformity with the legal
subdivisions Of the public lands, and
after the same shall have been surveyed.
SEC. 2. ARd be IL further enacted,
That the person applying for the bene-
fl Of this act, shall, upon application
10 the register Of the land Office in which
he or she is about to make such entry.
make affidavit before the said register
that he or she is the head of a family,
or is twenty one years Of age, and that
such application Is made for his or her
exclusive use and benefit, and those es-
pecially mentioned in this net; and not
either directly or indirectly for the use
or benefit Of any other person or per-
sons whomsoeyer; and upon making
the affidavit as above required, and
fling the affidavit with the register,
he or she shall thereupon be permitted
to enter the quantity Of land already
specified: Provided however. Tint no
certificate shall be given. or patent is
sued therefore, until the expiration Of
FIVE years from the date of such entry,
and If at the expiration of such time,
the person who shall make such.entry,
or.if he be dead. his widow, or. in case
OF her death, his heirs or devisee, or,
in case of widow making such entry,
her heir or devisec, in case Of her
death, shall prove by two credible wit
nesses that he, she, or they have con-
tinued to reside upon and cultivate
said land. and still reside upon the
same, and have not alienated the same,
or any part thereof, then, in snch case,
he, she. or they shall be entitled TO
patent, as in other cases provided for
by law: Aad provided further. In
case Of the death Of both father and
mother. leaving an infant child or
ehildisn under twenty-one years Of
age. the right and the fee shall inure
TO the benefit Of said infant child or
children, and the executor, administra-
tor, or guardian, may, at any time
within two years after the death Of the
surviving parent. and in accordance
with the laws ofthe State in which such
children, for the time being have their
domicile, sell said land for the benefit
Of said infants. but for no other pur-
pose; and the purchaser shall acquire
the absolute title to the purchase. and
be entitled to a patent from the United
States.
Sac. ,. And be IL further enacted
That the register Of the land Office
shall note all such applications on the
fraet-bocks and plates Of his Office, and
keep q register Of all such entries, and
make return thereof to the General
Land Office, together with the proof
upon which they have been founded.
Sac. 4. 1nd Be IL further enacted,-
That all land acquired under the pro.
visions OF this act. shall in no event be-
come liable 10 the satisfaction Of any
debt or debts contracted priorto the
issuing OF the patent therefor.
SIC. 8. Indie Il further enacted,
That II, Mt any time after fling the af.
fdavit as required In the second section
OF this act, and before the expiration OF
the years aforesaid, II shall be proven.
after due notice to the settler. 10 the
satisfaction OF the register of the land
Office. that The person having 6led such