United States Statutes at Large/Volume 4/18th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 169
Chap. CLXIX.—An Act granting to the counties or parishes of each state and territory of the United States, in which the public lands are situated, the right of pre-emption to quarter sections of land, for seats of justice within the same.
The right of pre-emption to one quarter section of land granted to the several counties of each state and territory of the United States, where there are public lands, for certain purposes.
Proviso.
Proviso.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there be granted to the several counties or parishes of each state and territory of the United States, where there are public lands, at the minimum price for which the public lands of the United States are sold, the right of pre-emption to one quarter section of land, in each of the counties or parishes, of said states and territories, in trust for said counties or parishes, respectively, for the establishment of seats of justice therein: Provided, The proceeds of the sale of each of said quarter sections shall be appropriated for the purpose of erecting public buildings in the county or parish for which it is located, after deducting therefrom the amount originally paid for the same: And provided, further, That the seat of justice for said counties or parishes, respectively, shall be fixed previously to a sale of the adjoining lands within the county or parish for which the same is located.
Parts of other acts repealed.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That so much of such acts, heretofore passed, granting to states rights of pre-emption, for county or parish purposes, as require said seats of justice to be continued at or near the centre of each of said counties or parishes, be, and the same is hereby, repealed.
Approved, May 26, 1824.