The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-09-05
THE aRApuArroN LAND ACT.

Several inquiries have como to hand relativ
to tho public lands, which passed at the Ia
session of Congress We publish tho law as
1t finally passed Congrcsss q y,aiss7i h9.os
ffrBLIc---So ST.. es ". Boo
.4V ACT TO graduate and reduce Ge price Of
the public lands to actual settlers and esitiva-
tors. --i't 70 ir@l pff
BE il enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the United Ssdtes Of Amer
tea In Congress assembled, .Si'l~ :.
That all the public lands Of the Untcd Statcs
which shaIl have been in market for ten years
or upward, prior to the time of application 10
enter the samo under the provisions of this act
and still remaining unsold shah bc subject Ia
sale at the pricc Of one dollar per acre; aud all
of the lands ofthe United States that shall hnve
been in market for fifteen years or upwards.
rs aforesaid, and still remaining UNFOLD, shall
bo subject to sale at seventy five cents per aero
md all of the lands of the United States
that shall have bocn in market for twenty
years or upwards, rs aforesaid. and still ro-
naming unsold, shall be subject to sale at fifty
cents per acre; and all lands of the United
States that shall have been in market for twon-
| ty Eve years and upwards. os aforesaid, and
still remaining unsol6, shall be subject 10 ssic
at twenty-five cents per acre; and oil lands
Of tho United States that shall have boen in
market for thirty years or more shall DO sub
ject to salo ut twelve and half cents per acre.
Provided, this section shall not be so corr,
strued as to extend to lands reserved to tho
United States, in acts granting land to States
for Railroad and other internal improvements.
or to mineral lands held at over ono dollar
and twenty-five cents per aero. eni
SEC 2. lind be ii further enacted, That upon
overy reduction to price under tho provisions
of this act the occupant and settler upon tho
lands shall have the right of pre-enption as
such graduated price, upon tho same terms.
conditions, restrictions and limitations upon
which tho public lands Of the United States
are now subject to right Of pro. emption, until
thirty days preceding tho next graduation or
reduction that shall take place; and il not so
purchased shall again be subject to the right
of pre-emption for eleven months rs before,
and so on from timo to time, rs reductions tako
place: Provided, That nothing in this uct
shall be so construed as to interfere with any
right which has or may accrne by virtue OF any
act gradtins presumption to actual sotticrs up
on pvblio lands.
i Sec. 3. find be 10 further enacted, That any
person applying to enter any of tho aforesaid
lands shall be required to make affidavit be-
fore the Register or Receiver of the proper
land Office that he or sho enters tho same for
his or her own use, and for the purpose of ac-
tual settlement and cultivate. or tor the use OF
an adjoining farm or plantation, owned or 90
! cnpied by him or horself. and together with
said ontry he or sho has rot acquired from tho
} United States under tho provisions Of this act
J more thrn three hundred and twenty acres nc
J cording to the established surveys ard if any
person or persons taking such oath or affidavit
shall swear falsely in the premises. he or she
i shall DO subject to all tho pains and penalties
of purjury. l
, Approved, August 4, 1854. g lUa7ot