The true Democrat., 1856-05-27
Graduation act of August 4, 1854.

| - ~>~e s~s- SeO>> s~S SA ~AS~3~ AOS
 General Land Ogce, April z, 1856. | GENTLEMEN:--To secure the right of bona fde settlers, by obtaining from them the proof necessary to warrant the speedy issue of patents, and thus shield them from efforts of specula- ton to set aside such entries, on the ground of alleged non- compliance with the purpose of the law, you were directed by this otfice in the circular of January p, 1856, to call upon pur- chasers, who made entries 'tor settlement and | cnltlvation,' to produce proof of settlement, etc., within twoS month from the date of notice.
 The time for presenting the proof was thus limited to hasten its producton the office ] reservng to tselfthc right to extend the period, at the demand of parties interested, within any reasonable limits.
 ''As the benefits of the act were designed to be for actual settlers only," as declared by the attorney general, in his opinion of the 18th July, 1855 it is proper to fix the time within which proof of the settlement shall be present. ed but it is the opinion of the secretary of the interior, and the commissioner of the general land office, that it should be fixed upon the most liberal principles, and that the time here | tOfOre allowed Is too short, and hat one year should be allowed, thus assimlating the period to that prescribed ill the pre-emption act of 1841, in relation to lands subject to private l entry.
 Therefore you are hereby directed 1st In all existing entries, for settlement and cultivation" to allow the parties one year from the first of June next, for the production of the required proof of actual settlement, etc. 2d. In all entries thereafter, Chat is, after 1st June,) ONE YEAR from the DATE OF ENTRY is hereby allowed for the production of the re- quis;te proof.
 Sd. Where entries have been made, the pur- chasers not intending to occupy the land in person, under misconception of the law, upon filing an affidavit to that effect you will allow them to hold the land at $1 25 per acre, re- quirng them to pay up the difference between that price and the sum already paid under the graduation act For the additional payment, the receiver must issue suppliment receipt, giving A HALF number to 1t, in the regular se- ries. The transaction must be reported in the monthly abstracts of the register and receiver and the receiver must, of course charge him. self with such additional payments in his quarterly accounts.
 4th. In case of the death of purchaser be- fore perfecting his rights, on proof to the satis- faction of the general land office of the bona fde intention of the decedent to fulfil the re : quirements of the law, his claim shall be con- frmed to his heirs or legal representatives.
 9th. If "minor'' is the HEAD OF A FAM1- LY," his entry is valid. If not the head of a family, it is invalid. Opinion of the attor- ney general, July 25, l855.)
 In the case, however, of purchaser, whose entry is invalid by reason of his minority at the time, but who afterwards reaches his ma majority. and has identified himself with the premises by actual settlement and cultivation, the land may be secured to him by producing proof of such actual settlement and cultiva- ltion.
 9th. Where an entry is made for the use of an "adjoining' farm, it is required that an af6 davit shal be filed designing the original farm, so it may appear that the entry forms, with the said "iarm," compact body ot land. This is all the proof required in this class Of cases