Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 2.djvu/656



lands south of Tennessee, or of his principal deputy surveyor in the district, who shall each receive six dollars for each day’s attendance on the same; and no tract of land shall be sold at said public sales, for a less price than that which is or may be prescribed by law, for the sale of public lands in the Mississippi territory. And from and after the first day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, any tract which has been thus offered for sale at public sale, and remains unsold, as well as any tract of land embraced by the provisions of the third section of this act, the sale of which is authorized by this section, may be disposed of at private sale by the register of the land-office, for the same price which is or may be prescribed by law, for the sale of public lands in the Mississippi territory. All the lands, sold (by) virtue of this section, shall in every other respect be sold on the same terms of payment and conditions, in the same manner, and under the same regulations as are or may be prescribed by law, for the sale of public lands in the Mississippi territory: Provided however, that in case of an application being made at the same time, for the purchase at private sale of the same tract of land by two or more persons, one of whom did actually inhabit and cultivate such tract of land at the time of passing this act, and still continues to inhabit and cultivate the same at the time of such application; the preference shall be given to the person thus inhabiting and cultivating such tract of land: And provided also, that till after the final decision of Congress thereon, no tract of land shall be offered for sale, the claim to which has been in due time, and according to law, presented to the register of the land-office, and filed in his office, for the purpose of being investigated by the commissioners appointed for the purpose of ascertaining the rights of persons claiming lands in the territory of Orleans; or which shall have bee located by or for Major General La Fayette, according to law.

. And be it further enacted, That in addition to the township already reserved for that purpose by law, in the western district of the territory of Orleans, and which shall be located south of Red river, another entire township shall be located by the Secretary of the Treasury north of Red river, for the use of a seminary of learning, and also an entire township in the territory of Louisiana, for the support of a seminary of learning within the said territory.

. And be it further enacted, That the surveyor-general shall cause such of the public lands in the territory of Louisiana as the President of the United States shall direct, to be surveyed and divided in the same manner and under the same regulations and limitation as to expenses, as is provided by law in relation to the lands of the United States, northwest of the river Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river.

. And be it further enacted, That for the disposal of the lands of the United States, lying in the territory of Louisiana, a land-office shall be established, which shall be kept at such place as the President of the United States may direct; and a register and receiver of public monies shall be appointed for said office, who shall give security in the same manner, in the same sums, and whose compensations, emoluments, duties and authority, shall in every respect be the same, in relation to the lands which shall be disposed of at their office, as are or may be provided for by law, in relation to the register and receiver of public monies in the several offices established for the disposal of the lands of the United States, northwest of the river Ohio and above the mouth of Kentucky river.

. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized, whenever he shall think proper, to direct so much of the public lands lying in the territory of Louisiana, as shall have been surveyed in conformity with the ninth section of this