United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/26th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 35
Chap. XXXV.—An Act to authorize registers and receivers to administer oaths required to be taken by purchasers of public land.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Duty of registers and receivers to administer oaths. That the register, or receiver, of any of the land offices of the United States shall be authorized, and it shall be the duty of said officers, to administer any oath or oaths, which now are or hereafter may be required by law, in connexion with the entry or purchase of any tract of land; and, if any person shall, knowingly and wilfully, swear falsely to any fact contained in any oath or affidavit so taken or made,Perjury. he or she shall be deemed and held guilty of perjury, and shall, on conviction, suffer all the pains, penalties, and disabilities, which attach to said crime in other cases of perjury under the laws of the United States:No compensation, directly or indirectly, to be charged. Provided, That such land officers shall not, directly or indirectly, charge or receive any compensation for administering such oaths.
Approved, June 12, 1840.