Timeline of Major US Public Land Laws and Acts

Beginning with the Congressional Act of 16 September 1776 and the Land Ordinance of 1785, a wide variety of Congressional acts governed the distribution of federal land in the thirty public land states. Various acts opened up new territories, established the practice of offering land as compensation for military service, and extended preemption rights to squatters. These acts each resulted in the first transfer of land from the federal government to individuals. This list is not exhaustive, and does not include acts that temporarily extended the provisions of earlier acts, or private acts that were passed for the benefit of individuals. Timeline of U.S. Public Land Acts 16 September 1776: This Congressional Act established guidelines for granting lands of 100 to 500 acres, termed bounty land, for those who enlisted in the Continental Army to fight in the American Revolution. That Congress make provision for granting lands, in the following proportions: to the officers and soldiers who shall so engage in the service, and continue therein to the close of the war, or until discharged by Congress, and to the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy: To a colonel, 500 acres; to a lieutenant colonel, 450; to a major, 400; to a captain, 300; to a lieutenant, 200; to an ensign, 150; each non-commissioned officer and soldier, 100... 20 May 1785: Congress enacted the first law to manage the Public Lands that resulted from the thirteen newly independent states agreeing to relinquish their western land claims and allow the land to become the joint property of all citizens of the new nation. The 1785 Ordinance for the public lands northwest of the Ohio provided for their survey and sale in tracts of no less than 640 acres. This began the cash-entry system for federal lands. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, that the territory ceded by individual States to the United States, which has been purchased of the Indian inhabitants, shall be disposed of in the following manner... 10 May 1800: The Land Act of 1800, also known as the Harrison Land Act for its author William Henry Harrison, reduced the minimum purchasable unit of land to 320 acres, and also introduced the option of credit sales to encourage land sales. Land purchased under the Harrison Land Act of 1800 could be paid for in four designated payments over a period of four years. The government ultimately ended up expelling thousands of individuals who could not make the repayment of their loans within the set time, and some of this land ended up being resold by the federal government several times before defaults were rescinded by the Land Act of 1820. An act providing for the sale of the land of the United States, in the territory north-west of the Ohio, and above the mouth of the Kentucky river. 3 March 1801: Passage of the 1801 Act was the first of many laws passed by Congress giving preemption or preference rights to settlers in the Northwest Territory who had purchased lands from John Cleves Symmes, a judge of the Territory whose own claims to the lands had been nullified. An Act giving a right of pre-emption to certain persons to certain persons who have contracted with John Cleves Symmes, or his associates, for lands lying between the Miami rivers, in the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio. 3 March 1807: Congress passed a law granting preemption rights to certain settlers in Michigan Territory, where a number of grants had been made under both prior French and British rule. ...to every person or persons in actual possession, occupancy, and improvement, of any tract or parcel of land in his, her, or their own right, at the time of the passing of this act, within that part of the Territory of Michigan, to which the Indian title has been extinguished, and which said tract or parcel of land was settled, occupied, and improved, by him, her, or them, prior to and on the first day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety six...the said tract or parcel of land thus possessed, occupied, and improved, shall be granted, and such occupant or occupants shall be confirmed in the title to the same, as an estate of inheritance, in fee simple... 3 March 1807: The Intrusion Act of 1807 attempted to discourage squatters, or settlements being made on lands ceded to the United States, until authorized by law. The act also authorized the government to forcibly remove squatters from privately-owned land if the owners petitioned the government. Existing squatters on unoccupied land were allowed to claim as tenants of will up to 320 acres if they registered with the local land office by the end of 1807. They also agreed to give quiet possession or abandon the land when the government disposed of it to others. That any person or persons who, before the passing of this act, had taken possession of, occupied, or made a settlement on any lands ceded or secured to the United States...and who at the time of passing this act does or do actually inhabit and reside on such lands, may, at any time prior to the first day of January next, apply to the proper register or recorder...such applicant or applicants to remin on such tract or tracts of land, not exceeding three hundred and twenty acres for each applicant, as tenants at will, on such terms and conditions as shall prevent any waste or damages on such lands... 5 February 1813: The Illinois Preemption Act of 5 February 1813 granted preemption rights to all actual settlers in Illinois. This was the first law enacted by Congress which conveyed blanket preemption rights to all squatters in a speciï ¬ ed region and not simply to certain categories of claimants, taking the unusual step of going against the recommendation of the House Committee on Public Lands, which strongly opposed granting blanket preemption rights on the grounds that doing so would encourage future squatting.1 That every person, or legal representative of every person, who has actually inhabited and cultivated a tract of land lying in either of the districts established for the sale of public lands, in the Illinois territory, which tract is not rightfully claimed by any other person and who shall not have removed from said territory; every such person and his legal representatives shall be entitled to a preference in becoming the purchaser from the United States of such tract of land at private sale... 24 April 1820: The Land Act of 1820, also referred to as the 1820 Sale Act, reduced the price of federal land (at the time this applied to land in the Northwest Territory and Missouri Territory) to $1.25 acre, with a minimum purchase of 80 acres and a down payment of only $100. Further, the act gave squatters the right to preempt these conditions and purchase the land even more cheaply if they had made improvements to the land such as the building of homes, fences, or mills. This act eliminated the practice of credit sales, or the purchase of public land in the United States on credit. That from and after the first day of July next [1820] , all the public lands of the United States, the sale of which is, or may be authorized by law, shall when offered at public sale, to the highest bidder, be offered in half quarter sections [80 acres] ; and when offered at private sale, may be purchased, at the option of the purchaser, either in entire sections [640 acres] , half sections [320 acres] , quarter sections [160 acres] , or half quarter sections [80 acres] ... 4 September 1841: Following several early preemption acts, a permanent preemption law went into effect with the passage of the Preemption Act of 1841. This legislation (see Sections 9–10) permitted an individual to settle and cultivate up to 160 acres of land and to then purchase that land within a specified time after either survey or settlement at $1.25 per acre. This preemption act was repealed in 1891. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passage of this act, every person being the head of a family, or widow, or single man, over the age of twenty-one years, and being a citizen of the United States, or having filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen as required by the naturalization laws, who since the first day of June A.D. eighteen hundred and forty, has made or shall hereafter make a settlement in person on the public lands...is hereby, authorized to enter with the register of the land office for the district in which such land may lie, by legal subdivisions, any number of acres not exceeding one hundred and sixty, or a quarter section of land, to include the residence of such claimant, upon paying to the United States the minimum price of such land... 27 September 1850: The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850, also called the Donation Land Act, provided free land to all white or mixed-blood Native American settlers who arrived in Oregon Territory (the present-day states of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and part of Wyoming) before December 1, 1855, based on four years of residence and cultivation of the land. The law, which granted 320 acres to unmarried male citizens eighteen or older, and 640 acres to married couples, split equally between them, was one of the first that allowed married women in the United States to hold land under their own name. That there shall be, and hereby is, granted to every white settler or occupant of the public lands, American half-breed Indians included, above the age of eighteen years, being a citizen of the United States....the quantity of one half section, or three hundred and twenty acres of land, if a single man, and if a married man, or if he shall become married within one year from the first day of December, eighteen hundred and fifty, the quantity of one section, or six hundred and forty acres, one half to himself and the other half to his wife, to be held by her in her own right... 3 March 1855: – The Bounty Land Act of 1855 entitled U.S. military veterans or their survivors to receive a warrant or certificate which could then be redeemed in person at any federal land office for 160 acres of federally owned land. This act extended the benefits. The warrant could also be sold or transferred to another individual who could then obtain the land under the same conditions. This act extended the conditions of several smaller bounty land acts passed between 1847 and 1854 to cover more soldiers and sailors, and provide additional acreage. That each of the surviving commissioned and non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, whether of regulars, volunteers, rangers, or militia, who were regularly mustered into the service of the United States, and every officer, commissioned and non-commissioned seaman, ordinary seaman, flotilla-man, marine, clerk, and landsman in the navy, in any of the wars in which this country has been engaged since seventeen hundred and ninety, and each of the survivors of the militia, or volunteers, or State troops of any State or Territory, called into military service, and regularly mustered therein, and whose services have been paid by the United States, shall be entitled to receive a certificate or warrant from the Department of the Interior for one hundred and sixty acres of land... 20 May 1862: Probably the best recognized of all land acts in the United States, the Homestead Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on 20 May 1862. Taking effect on 1 January 1863, the Homestead Act made it possible for any adult male U.S. citizen, or intended citizen, who had never taken up arms against the United States, to gain title to 160 acres of undeveloped land by living on it five years and paying eighteen dollars in fees. Female heads of household were also eligible. African-Americans later become eligible when the 14th Amendment granted them citizenship in 1868. Specific requirements for ownership included building a home, making improvements, and farming the land before they could own it outright. Alternatively, the homesteader could purchase the land for $1.25 per acre after having lived on the land for at least six months. Several previous homestead acts introduced in 1852, 1853, and 1860, failed to be passed into law. That any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and is a citizen of the United States, or who shall have filed his declaration of intention to become such, as required by the naturalization laws of the United States, and who has never borne arms against the United States Government or given aid or comfort to its enemies, shall, from and after the first January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, be entitled to enter one quarter section [160 acres] or a less quantity of unappropriated public lands...

Apple Computer, Inc. - 1620 Words

Overview Apple Computer, Inc. originated as merely an idea, coming to realization in the basement of Steve Job’s parent’s house. Apple has come a long way since it started and has been acknowledged for its accomplishments in pioneering products, marketing, and services. With the way the business operates, has inspired companies all over the world. As you read, I will be look at how exactly it brought this company to these great accomplishments and what can be learned from the company. Strategic management Apple takes pride in their appearance, which helped them to accomplish high sale volumes, in turn cultivate a large dedicated customer base. When a company is considering strategy, they need to realize where your priorities lie. As†¦show more content†¦One of Apple’s biggest strengths and aspects of their image originates from their vision. Their excellent talent to design creative products and remarkable campaigns has helped Apple exceed even their largest competitors. While most companies try to cut costs when developing a marketing plan, Apple focuses on making their products unique. In fact in 2007, Apple was named the Most Innovated Company by Business Week for the third year in a row (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). Another great marketing strategies was iTunes music store, where people can preview and download songs right onto their Mac, PC or iPod. The original idea behind iTunes was to offer a solution to the illegal downloading of music and software from rival sources like Napster and Kazaa (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). With illegal downloading, Apple paid close attention to their external surroundings and decided to use this problem troubling studios and artist as an opportunity. The iTunes solution not only helped their cause and significantly lowered the illegal pirating of music, but it served as a great marketing tool to promote their iPod products. Even though Apple only makes about 10 cents per song, it has provided them with an excellent marketing tool bringing attention and interest to their products (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). Creativity has helped Apple to triumph. The iPod blew consumers away, providing them

Bad News or Refusal Letter Free Essays

Oven last April 3, 2007. At BD Small appliances, we value customer satisfaction over anything else. We also take pride in providing quality assurance certified appliances to all out clients and do our best to offer the best after sales service in the market today through our optional extended warranty offer. We will write a custom essay sample on Bad News or Refusal Letter or any similar topic only for you Order Now Under the extended warranty offer, any appliance bought from our store carries an extended 2-year warranty on parts for factory defective appliances as well as free repair and service covering the first year of purchase. The extended warranty also comes with an option to replace the defective unit upon the request of the client. No questions asked. Unfortunately, your purchase is only covered by the regular warranty of the toaster that is good for only one year and covers only factory defects. The problem with your toaster stems from client misuse. Our company technician found a substance similar to melted butter and an unidentifiable sticky substance covering the heating coils. This is what caused the toaster to break down. I also regret to inform you that because the defect of the toaster is does not stem from the factory production, the only option we can offer you is a repair of the item. The cost of the repair will be $47. 00, while a new toaster will cost $50. 00. As I explained above, the toaster is not covered by the extended warranty that would have allowed us to replace the toaster free of charge instead of repairing it. This is why we cannot accommodate your request for a brand new Moulinex Soft Crunch Toaster. I also regret to inform you that our return and refund policy only covers items purchased within 7 days. Refunds are also only done in the event of a factory defect. We would therefore like you to consider the 2 other options available to you, that is you may pay for the repair of the item or purchase a new one. Feel free to contact me at my direct number indicated at the end of this letter once you have made your decision or if you need further clarifications regarding this letter. I will be happy to confer with you at your convenience. Our company wishes we could do more for you to make up for the lost appliance so please accept the discount coupon worth $5. 00 attached to this letter to help towards the purchase or repair of the your item. This has been a very difficult decision for our company to arrive at. I would have liked to bend company policy for you and give you a new toaster if it were possible for me to do so. I hope that this incident will not become a deterrent that will stop you from making future purchases at BD Small Appliances. Sincerely, Nicole Bridgford Customer Service Representative Contact Number: 551-429876 (Office Hours Only) How to cite Bad News or Refusal Letter, Papers

Does Immigration Contribute to a Better America free essay sample

He stressed the ramifications of the â€Å"demographic mutation† (pg 40) that America is undergoing and the fear that this country will become a â€Å"freak† (pg 40) among the world’s nations. The Immigration policy is an extremely relevant issue in today’s society. Although, the idea of immigration being a â€Å"crisis† allows for misinterpretation. Many Americans fail to take into consideration the positive effects that a highly diverse country brings to each individual person. Evidence of the social, cultural, national and economical effects indeed show that with the proper regulations and implementations, immigration contributes to a better America. In the words of Phillippe Legrain in The Case for Immigration: The Secret to Economic Vibrancy , the â€Å"potential gains from freer migration are huge† (pg 34). No matter which way the term is looked at, diversity cannot be seen as a bad thing. Having hundreds of thousands of millions of different kinds of people all living in the relatively same environment is a wonderful thing. Immigrants almost all the time take jobs that Americans don not want. Colonists immigrated to the United States voluntarily; they helped mold this country to be what it is today. Colonists put laws and rules into play to create the law and political system we have today. Slaves were brought to this country forcefully, but have had equally if not more of the same impacts as colonists have. Slaves economically molded this country. They did all of the work while their owners took the credit. Most states, especially southern states, have slave foundations, meaning slaves built that state. Slaves built the White House, where are president and his family resides. One of if not the most important building in our country was built by slaves. When slaves were brought to America it was not looked at as immigration, but an economic investment. That is extremely inhumane; but ,why was not it looked at as immigration. Americans are quick to say immigrants are bad for our country, but as soon as immigrants are looked at as beneficial, somehow all of those views are suddenly brushed under the rug or the furthest from our minds. Speaking about today or even tracing back to early immigration, immigrants have always been poor and want nothing but a better life for their family. In the book The Case for Immigration: The Secret to Economic Vibrancy, Phillippe Legrain says â€Å"Immigrants are not an invading army; they are mostly people seeking a better life And just as it is beneficial for people to move from Alabama to California in response to market signals,  so too from Mexico to the United States. † Immigrants come to places like the United States because they aren’t offered good or even mediocre jobs and school opportunities in their native country. Not a lot of countries are fortunate enough as the United States, but as Americans don’t we believe in equal opportunity. Not just equal opportunity for Americans, but equal opportunity for the human race. Why would we say someone couldn’t try to make his or her children have a better life than he or she had? Are we that territorial as Americans where we shut down hopes and dreams based on the marked lines  of latitude and longitude? Are we that shallow? Immigrants whether child or adult deserve a chance to present themselves with or earn a life worth living by their standards. Many Americans argue that their problem isn’t with immigrants but with illegal aliens. The only difference between an immigrant and an illegal alien is an immigrant has identification paper to be in this country and an illegal alien does not. The average cost of a permanent United States visa is up to or over two thousand dollars. The average waiting list for the United States visa can be up to or over ten years not to mention immigrants  have to pass a test proving that they know enough about the United States. Being that most immigrants are already poor they cannot afford to pay for a visa for themselves and especially not their whole family. If someone did come to America as an illegal alien they could never live as a regular citizen. They could never own a home, a car, and it would be extremely difficult to start school or put their children in school. They would constantly be on the run and fear being deported. Americans complain that immigrants are coming to this country and taking our  jobs, but the jobs they work Americans don’t care about or feel as if they are too good to work them. In the book The Case for Immigration: The Secret to Economic Vibrancy, Phillippe Legrain says â€Å"Many (immigrants) are drawn to rich countries such as the United States by the huge demand for workers to fill the low-end jobs that their increasingly well-educated and comfortable citizens do not want† Immigrants are rarely doctors, lawyers or entertainers; for they always do the jobs that Americans feels they are too good for. Immigrants are usually maids, taxi drivers, restaurant workers, construction workers or in the lawn care business. Americans have different perceptions of the American dream. Americans feel the American dream is social success and wealth. We as a country feel as though the American dream for them is to have a job worth bragging about and having money to buy anything they desire. Immigrants see the American dream as being happy and not being extremely poor. They more so see it as being able to give their children a fighting chance in this country with jobs and a chance to live a life they want, while their parents had to live a life forced upon them. Everyone in America has equal opportunity to live the life they want if they work hard enough, shouldn’t  everyone be allotted that oppritunity? In the novel Alien Nation: Common Sense About America’s Immigration Disaster Peter Brimelow states â€Å"Today, U. S. government policy is literally dissolving the people and electing a new one†¦the fact is undeniable†. The government cannot dissolve a people and elect a new one because we are all in fact one people. If different people are coming into political office it better represents our country. The country we live in is made up of many different cultures and races, therefore that should be represented in our government, because our government represents our country to other countries in the  world. The US needs immigrants because they are different, and that something extra they add to the mix enriches the economy, culture and society. For a start, they tend to be enterprising and hard-working, because it takes courage to uproot yourself in search of a better life and because those with the most grit have the most to gain from doing so. Immigrants broaden the range of cultural experiences available in the US, and this mingling of cultures leads to distinctive innovations. An example of an immigrant innovator is India native Shradha Agarwal , who earned a degree in journalism at  Northwestern University in Illinois. She then founded ContextMedia, a health care media company, and positioned it as a â€Å"for-benefit† venture, a profitable enterprise with clear social benefits. Another example is Ashifi Gogo of Ghana is the chief executive officer of Sproxil, a social enterprise that markets Mobile Product Authentication, a technology used to combat the multibillion-dollar fake drug market. Users can use the technology to verify the authenticity of their medication. Sproxil is used in many industries worldwide, including automotive goods. To conclude, immigrants very much so contribute to a better America. Those who come from countries that offer fewer opportunities to their citizens than America does are more willing to do the low-skilled jobs that Americas aging and increasingly wealthy society relies on, but which its increasingly well-educated and comfortable citizens are unwilling to take essential services, such as caring for the young and the old, and cleaning homes, offices and hospitals, that cannot readily be mechanized or imported. Others bring exceptional individual skills that American companies need if they are to compete in a global marketplace. And immigrants collective diversity and dynamism  helps spur innovation and economic growth, because if people who think differently bounce ideas off each other they can solve problems better and faster. Fears that immigrants threaten American workers are based on two fallacies: that there is a fixed number of jobs in the economy, and that foreign workers are direct substitutes for American ones. Just as women did not deprive men of jobs when they entered the labor force in large numbers, foreigners dont steal Americans jobs-they dont just take jobs; they create them too. Immigrants can be just as much Americans as we are. This country was built by immigration and that should be embraced.