laws, usages and customs of the Spanish government, made an actual settlement on a tract of land within the said territories, not claimed by virtue of the preceding section, or of any Spanish of French grant made and completed before the first day of October, one thousand eight hundred, and during the time the government which made such grant had the actual possession of the said territories, and who did on the said twentieth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and three, actually inhabit and cultivate the said tract of land; the tract of land thus inhabited and cultivated, shall be granted:No more than one tract to be granted to such person, and not to exceed one mile square.
This donation not to be made to any one who claims any other under a French or Spanish grant. Provided however, that not more than one tract shall be thus grants to any one person, and the same shall not contain more than one mile square, together with such other and further quantity, as heretofore has been allowed for the wife and family of such actual settler, agreeably to the laws, usages and customs of the Spanish government: Provided also, that this donation shall not be made to any person who claims any other tract of land in the said territories by virtue of any French or Spanish grant.
Territory of Orleans to be laid off into two districts, for the ascertainment of land titles therein.
A register to be appointed for this purpose in each.
His compensation, duties, &c.
Act of May 10, 1800, ch. 55.
A recorder of land titles to be appointed for Louisiana district.
His compensation, &c.
Persons claiming lands under French of Spanish grants, &c. to have their claims recorded, &c.
Record to be made before the first day of March, 1806.
By whom the foregoing claims are to be recorded, and the officer’s fees, &c., for recording them.
Where lands are claimed by virtue of a complete French of Spanish grant, no other evidence of the claim to be recorded but the original grant or patent. Other deeds to be deposited with the register, and laid before the commissioners.
1806, ch. 39.
Neglect to deliver notice of claim, and to record evidence of it, so far as derived under the two first sections of this act, to be forever barred.
Register and recorder to commence the execution of their offices on or before the 1st September, 1805.
Commissioners to be appointed for the district of Louisiana, and the districts to be laid off under this act for ascertaining land titles, &c.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of more conveniently ascertaining the titles and claims to land in the territory ceded as aforesaid, the territory of Orleans shall be laid off into two districts, in such manner as the President of the United States shall direct; in each of which, he shall appoint, in the recess of the Senate, but who shall be nominated at their next meeting, for their advice and consent, a register; who shall receive the same annual compensation, give security in the same manner, and in the same sums, and whose duties and authorities shall in every respect be the same in relation to the lands which shall hereafter be disposed of at their offices, as are by law provided with respect to the registers in the several offices established for the disposal of the lands of the United States, north of the river Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river. The President of the United States shall likewise appoint a recorder of land titles in the district of Louisiana, who shall give security in the same manner, and in the same sums, and shall be entitled to the same annual compensation, as the registers of the several land-offices.
