Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-03-29
GENERAL LAND OFFICE. }
.Iai.,,lry L., lSo2. 1


JANUARY u, lso2.
GENTLEMEN This Office has received a
communication, dated the ,d instant. from the
Hon. e. Il. Smith Secretary OF the Interior,
hy which we are advised that he is in possess
oion of information, in whic!, he places cn,ir,
confidence. "iha, n,any persons in Oregon.
and probably Others in Washington Terrific
~. are claiming and obtaining III. benefit Of
the acts OF Congress donating lands 10 actual
settlers. vino openly express sentiments hos
Ill" To the government whose bounty they
claim, aud adherence to and sympathy with
the existing rebellion"
The following extracts from the Seeretarv's
communication If the Sd instant. above men
toned, present lis views aud instructions in
the matter for Tia. government of this and the
local Land Offices:
The resources Of the government neces-
sarv 10 sustain lis credit in the future, and re-
qugcd so FAR rs available in the present to
suppress ihi, rebellion, ought no, To be sQuan-
drrrd upon those aiding and aLeitng the
treason which it is the grea, object Of the gov
"rnncnt to drsrov and eradicate.
"1'he acts Of Congress granting donations
Of land rcstric, those donations to citizens aud
persons who have solciunly declared their in
tcntion tn become citizens before the judicial
tribunals.
THE spirit of those acts therefore, con-
fines the grants of lands to persons loyal to
TIE United States, and to such only.
Your office, and the local Offices Of the
land department, should refuse to execute and
deliver certificates and evidences of claim to
disloyal persons, whether they have aided
and assisted the existing rebellion, or are
plotting to render it assistance in the future.
1.-THE act of Congress of Sd March, 1857,
(section 81 in addition to an act more efiec-
,ually to provide for the punishment of certain
crimes against the United States recognizes
the right of the Commissioner of the General
Land Office to issue orders, regulations, and
instructions respecting the public lands, and
the authority of the district land officers to
administer all oa,hs required by such orders,
regulations, or instructions. The act OF Con-
gress OF 9Th August, 1861, requiring an oath
o. allegiance, and to support the Constitution
of the United States TO be administered to
al persons in the civil service of the United
States, has prescribed Il form Of oath, which,
under orders of the Executive, has also been
to pensioners and persons having
claims against the United States and which,
in my opinion, it is proper TO cause TO be adj
mnisterei to all persons claiming certificates
of donations Of land.
These remarks. it will be observed, APP
ply with equal force to all persons claiming
rights. which are special grants
of preference and favor conferred by the gov
and by it restricted to loyal per-
sous"
In accordance with these views, and purs,.-
aut to INSTRUCTIONS
LIST. "Ali persons claiming prescriptions
or donations of lands" are required "to take
the oath Of allegiance above designated
(Ior,n herewiih) " before obtaining certificates
from the local land Offices
3D. Where certificates have already been
issued and the patents in these classes Of ca
scs rcinain under the control of this office. or
the control of the local offices, "the patents
will not be delivered until the required oath
is taken by the party or parties to whom they
are issued, or who have direct interest in
them.
3d. "a like oath of allegiance will also be
required of all persons taking contracts in the
service in any portion OF the public
domain"
In any and NIL matters falling within the
range of your duties. upon which the atore-
said instructions may have a bearing, you are
hereby enjoined faithfully to observe the said
You will please acknowledge the receipt Of
this circular, and will promptly report any
case or cases heretofore returned to this office.
in which lis interposiion may be required to
rive iu,I effect fO the SccretarV's instructions,
a supply OF the forms of oath viii be fur
nished you by this office.
Very Resp.'y your ob't servant.
j. N. EDMUNDs,
Commissioner.