The Shasta courier., 1870-05-28
fCircular.] |


DEPARTMENT OF TIE INTERIOR,
GENERAL LAND OFFIcE, March 20, 1870.
WHEREAS, BY Act of Congress approved
March 9th, 1854, entitled an Act for the
relief Of settlers on lands reserved for rail.
road purposes. every settler on lands which
have been or may be Withdrawn from market
In consequence Of proposed railroads, and
who had settled thereon prior to such with
drawal, shall be entitled to pre-emption, at
tho ordinary minimum. 10 the lands settled
on and cultivated by them; prorided, they
shall prove up their rights according to such
rules and regulations as may be prescribed
BY the Secretary of the Interior; and where
as, the frat section of the Act approved June
ID. 1862 (l2th Stat. ABB. provides that all
the lands belonging to ths United States. to
which the Indian title has been or shall be
extinguished, shall be subject to the opera
tons of the Pre- emption Act of the 4th of
September, lS4l, and under the conditions,
restrictions and stipulations therein men,
toned prorided. however, that when upsur-
yeyed lands are claimed by pre-emptiun,
notice of the specific tracts claimed shall be
fled within six months nfier the survey has
been made in the field and on failure to file
such notice, or to pay for the tract claimed.
within twelve months from the filing of such
notice, ths parties claiming such lands shall
forfeit all right thereto; prorided, said no
tices may be filed with the Surveyor-General,
and to be noted by hlm on the township plats,
until other arrangements have been made by
law for that purpose.
Therefore, in accordance with instructions
from the Secretary of the Interior. it is or
dered that all settlers on lands surveyed at
date of settlement. and within the lateral
limits o. Withdrawals for railroad purposes,
where settlement was made prior to date of
withdrawal. shall be required to file their
declaratory statements within three months
from the first day of June, 1870, and there.
after make proof and payment as required
by law. And in all cases hereafter, sett ers
claiming pre- emption rights upon surveyed
lands, under the Act of March 9th, 1854,
aforesaid, shall be required to file their de-
claratory statements, and make proof and
payment in like manner as other pre-emptors.
in conformity with the requirements of the
pre- amption laws of 1851 and lS43
3D. That settlers upon unsnrveyed lands,
including those within the lateral limits of
Withdrawals for railroad purposes settled up
on prior to withdrawal, will be required.
within six months after survey in the field,
or, if surveyed before the publication of this
circular. within ak months from the first
day Of June. 1870, aforesaid) to file their
declaratory ::statements with the Register of
the proper land office, or with the Surveyor
General. where the plat of survey has not
been fled with such Register. and thereafter
to make proof and payment for the tract with
in twelve months from the date Of filing. as
required by the Act of June. ID, 1852. afore-
said. And where settlers on lands unsur-
veyed at date Of settlement have already fled
their declaratory statement with the Register
Of the proper land Office they will be required
to make proof and payment within twelve
months from the first day Of June next. as
aforesaid.
Settlers failing to comply with the require
ments Of this circular will be held to have
forfeited their claims as pre-emptors under
the law. JOS. s. WILSON,
Commissioner.
To Registers and Receivers q. S. Land
odices and Surveyors Of the United States.