Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-05-06

Hon. =. Z. WASHBURNE mas 1aSoreu US Win
the following official circular from the General
Land Office it will afford the greatest relief to
persons owning Graduated Lands:
GENERAL LAxp OFFICE.
April {, 1856.
GENTLEMEN To secure the rights of bona
fide settlers, by obtaining from them the proof
necessary to warrant the speedy issue OF patents,
and thus shield them from the efforts OF specu-
lation to set aside such entries, on the ground
of alledged non compliance with the purpose of
the law, you We're directed by this office, in the
circular of January 49, 1856, to call upon pur-
chasers who made entries =" for settlement and
cultivation" to produce proof OF settlement, DC
within two months from the date OF notice.
The time for presenting the proof was thus
limited to hasten its production, the office re-
serving to itself the right to extend the period,
at the demand of parties interested, within any
reasonable limits.
CAS- the benefits of the act were to be for act
ual settlers only" declared by the Attorney
General, in his opinion of the 18th July, 1858,
it is proper to fix the time within which proof
of settlement shall be presented, but it is the
opinion of the Secretary of the Interior, and
the tOluHllSSlOEGf OF lne IticIaA l@atii0 cLlCt
that it should be fixed upon the most liberal
principles, and that one year should be allowed
thus assimilating the period to that prescribed
in the prc-emption act of 1871, in relation to
lands subject to private 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, dc.
2nd. In all entries hereafter, Chat is, after
the lst of June,) ONE YEAR from the DATE OF
ENTRY is hereby allowed for the production of
the required proof.
3rd. Where entries have been made the pur-
chasers not intending to occupy the land in per-
son, under misconception Of the law, upon fill
ing an affidavit to that effect, you will allow
them to hold the land at 81 % per acre. requir-
ing them TO pay up the difference between that
price and the sum already paid under tie Grad
uation Act. For the additional payment the
Receiver must issue supplemental receipt, Civ
ing a HALF number to it. in the regular series
The transaction must be reported in the month
ly abstracts of the Register and Receiver, and
the Receiver must, of course, charge himself
with such additional payments in his quarterly
| accounts.
4,h. In case of the death of purchaser be-
fore pertecting his rights proof to the salts
faction of the General Land Office of the bona
| fide intention of the deccndcnt TO fulfil the re-
! quirements Of the law, his claim shall be con-
frmed to his heirs or legal representatives.
5th. If a" Minor is the CHE A FAM
LY," bis entry is valid. Opinion of the Attor-
ney General, July %, 1850
| In case however, of purchaser, whose entry
is invalid by reason of his minority at the time,
| but who afterwards reaches his majority, and
has Unidentified himself with the premises by
actual settlement and cultivation, the land may
be secured to him by producing proof OF such
actual settlement and cultivation.
9th. Where az entry is made for the use OF
an " adjoining" farm, it is required that an ati-
davit shall be filed designating the original
farm" ii may appear that the entry forms,
with the d" farm compact body of land. This
is all the proof required in this class of eases.
It'll Wehre the validity of entries may be
contested, and the sales void, no preference right
will be given 70 the contestant TO enter the land
thus vacated, unless it shall appear that he had
q right under the law, as actual settler there
on at the date of the Illegal entry.
Where entries made By spectators in viola
ton of the law, are set aside, the lands covered
thereby will be laid open, after proper notice, TO
actual settlers.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servent,
THos a. IIEsDRICKs
Commissioner.