The Big blue union. [volume] (Marysville, Kan.) 1862-1866, 1862-05-31

THB Ho19B03BAO BILL.
The following Is q correct copy OF the
Homestead Bill as passed BY both houses
of Congress, and signed BY the President
AN ACT to secure HOmoaaeads to actual
settlers on the Pubcli Domain, and to
Provide Bounty for Soldiers In lieu Of
Grants of the Public Lands.
Be 1t enacted By the Senate and House Of
Representatives, Of the United States Of
Americd in Congress assembled: That
any person who is the head of family, or
who has arrived at the age of twenty -one
years, and Is citizen of The United States.
and who has never borne arms against the
United States Government, or given aid
and comfort to its enemies, shall, from
and after the lst of January, 1863, be en-
titled to enter one quarter section, or a
less quantity, of unappropria.ed public
lands, upon which said person may have
filed pre-emption claim, or which may.
at the time the application is made, be
subject to pre-emption at sl.25, or less,
per acre; OF eighty acres or less Of such
unappropriated lands, at $2.50per acre, to
be located in body. in conformity to the
legal subdivisions of tho public lands, and
after the same shall have been surveyed !:
Provided, That any person owning and
residing on land may, under the provisions
of this act, enter other land lying contigu.
Gus to his or her said land, which shall
not, with the land so already owned and
occupied, exceed in the aggregate 100
acres.
SECTION 2. An6 be it further enacted,
That the person applying for the benefit
of this act shall, upon application to the
Register of the Land. Office in which he
or she is about to make such entry, make
affidavit before the said Register or Re-
ceiver that he or she is the head of fam
ily, or is twenty-one years or more of age,
or shall have performed service in the ar
my of the United States, and that he has
never borne arms against the Government
of the United States or given aid and
comfort to its enemies, and that such ap.
plication is made for his or her exclusive
use and benefit, and that said entry is made
for the purpose of actual settlement and
cultivation, and not either directly or in
directly for the use or benefit Of any 9TH
er person or persons whomsoever; and
upon filing the said affidavit with the Reg.
lister or Receiver, and on payment of $40,
he or she shall thereupon be permitted to
enter the quantity of land specified: Pro-
vided, however, That no certificate shall
be given or patent issued therefor until the
expiration Of five years from the date Of
such entry; and if, at the expiration Of
such time, or at any time within two years
thereafter, the person making 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 heirs
or devisee, in case Of her death-shall
prove by two credible witnesses that he,
she, or they have resided upon or cultiva-
ted the same for the term of five years i'm
mediately succeeding the time of fling the
affidavit aforesaid, and shall make afida.
Wit that no part of said land has been al
ienated, and that he has borne true allegi.
ance to the Government Of the United
States then, in such case, he, she, or they,
IF at that time citizen of the United
tates, shall be entitled to patent, as in
n cases provided for by law: And pro-
further, That in case Of the death Of
hther and mother, leaving an infant
dren, under twenty.one years
light and fee shall enure to the
infant child or children
or. administrator. or guardi-
y time within two years after
the surviving parent, and in
A. GdCe with the laws Of the State in
which such children for the time being
have their domioil, sell said land for the
benefit of said infants, but for no other
purpose: and the purchaser shall acquire
the absolute title by the purchase, and be
entitled to a patent from the United States,
on payment Of the Office fees and sum of
money herein specified.
SEc.3. And be it further enacted.
That the Register of the Land. Office shall
note allsuch applications on the trac, books
and plats Of his Office, and keep register
o2 AL All