p. 850

Public Lands

By a law of Congress approved Sept. 4. 1841 every person of 21 years citizens of U.S. or having declared his intention to become a citizen who shall make a settlement in person on public land & erect a dwelling are authorized to enter a quarter section at the minimum price before the public sale, and thus secure the name from competition.

If any person [sell?] upon & improve land subject to private entry, i.e. a land that has been once offered at public sale & not sold, he shall within thirty days notify the register of the Land office of his intention to claim such land, and shall within one year after such settlement make proof of his right and payment at the minimum price. If he fails the land becomes again subject to private entry.

This is about equvalent to selling the land upon a years credit.

By the latest reports it is stated that 2,380.547 acres have been offered for sale in Wisconsin & 602.100 sold now subject to private entry 1778447.