Chapter 192.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-20/chapter-192-515063·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 192.— AN ACT authorizing the Solicitor of the Treasury by and with the consent of the Secretary of War, to cancel certain contracts for the sale of lots of land made at Harper's Ferry in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-nine by the United States, to resell the same, and sell or lease all other real estate and riparian rights now owned by the United States at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.June 14, 1878. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Purchasers at Harper’s Ferry to be released, on quitting claim.*Proviso.* That the Solicitor of the Treasury» by and with the consent of the Secretary of War, be, and he is hereby, authorized to cancel contracts with and release each and all purchasers of lots of land from their purchases made on the thirtieth day of November, eighteen hundred and sixty nine, at and near Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, whenever such purchaser or purchasers shall quitclaim and release said lots or parcels of land to the Government of the United States by deed in such form as may be required by the Solicitor of the Treasury: *Provided*, That such quit claim and release shall be executed and tendered to the Secretary of War within four months from the passage of this act.
Sec. 2. That whenever any of the said lots and parcels of land shallRelease of purchaser.Lots may be offered again. be quitclaimed and released in pursuance of section one of this act, the Solicitor of the Treasury shall, by and with the consent of the Secretary of War, cancel the obligation of the purchaser or purchasers thereof and release the same from all liability to the Government of the United States for the purchase money of such lot or lots of land. And the Solicitor of the Treasury’ shall, when he deems it expedient to sub-serve the interests of the government, have the power, and he is hereby authorized to offer for sale said lots or parcels of land, so quitclaimed and released by auction, after first giving notice of the time, terms, and place of sale in pursuance of existing law, upon such terms as in his judgment he may deem expedient.
Sec. 3. That the Solicitor of the Treasury is further authorized toSolicitor of the Treasury may sell or lease. make sale, in pursuance of law, of the whole or any part of said property, or, if he deem it expedient and better for the public welfare, lease for any term of years and part or all other real estate and riparian rights now owned by the Government of the United States at or near Harper’s Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia. 131 FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. Sees. II. Ch. 192, 193, 194. 1878.
Sec. 4. That the Solicitor of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorizedAbatement of purchase-money. to abate part of the purchase-money due from purchasers who have made improvements upon lots of land purchased as aforesaid at Harper’s Ferry: *Provided*, That in his judgment such purchasers are*Proviso.* legally or equitably entitled to such abatement: *And provided further*, That such purchasers shall application to the Solicitor for abatementConditions of abatement. within two months from the passage of this act, and, in case an abatement is made, shall pay the balance of the purchase money due after deducting the amount abated within sixty days thereafter; otherwise, the debt to remain as if no abatement had been made.
Sec. 5. This act shall be in force from its passage.Date of effect. Approved, June 14, 1878.