United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/17th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 40
Chap. XL.—An Act granting to the state of Alabama the right of pre-emption to certain quarter sections of land.
Alabama allowed the right of pre-emption of lands for seats of justice.
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 state of Alabama, at the minimum price for which public lands of the United States are sold, the right of pre-emption to one quarter section of land in, or near, the centre of each of the counties of Marengo, Perry, and Decatur, of the state aforesaid, in trust for said counties, respectively, for the establishment of seats of justice therein: Provided, That the proceeds of the sale of each of said quarter sections shall be appropriated for the purpose of erecting public buildings in the county for which it is located, after deducting therefrom the amount originally paid for the same: And provided further, That the seatProviso. of justice for said counties, respectively, shall be fixed and continued on the lands so located and selected.
Approved, March 3, 1823.