United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/17th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 6
Chap. VI.—An Act to enable the proprietors of lands held by titles derived from the United States to obtain copies of papers from the proper department, and to declare the effect of such copies.
The Secretary of the Treasury to cause authentic copies of papers filed, &c., to be made &c., and these copies to be equal evidence as the original papers.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever any person claiming to be interested in, or entitled to land, under any grant or patent from the United States, shall apply to the Treasury Department for copies of papers filed and remaining therein, in any wise affecting the title to such land, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to cause such copies to be made out and authenticated, under his hand and seal, for the person so applying, and such copies, so authenticated, shall be evidence equally as the original papers.
Approved, January 23, 1823.