1887, February 8 - 24 Stat. 388, Act for Allotment of Lands to Indians

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Subject

February 8, 1887, Act to provide for allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on the various reservations, and to extend the protection of the laws of the United States and the Territories over the Indians, and for other purposes.

Description

The Act provided that the President, based on his opinion that any reservation or any part thereof was advantageous for agricultural and grazing purposes, could cause the reservation to be surveyed or resurveyed to allot the lands in severalty to any Indian (head of a family, single person over 18 years of age, each orphan child under 18 years of age, and any single person under 18 or who was born prior to the date of the President's order directing an allotment, one-sixteenth of a section) located there on in one-quarter sections. If there was insufficient land on reservation to allot as set forth, land wold be allotted to individuals in each class on a pro-rata basis. Indians not residing on a reservation could make selection of public lands in quantities and manner as provided in this act for Indians residing upon reservations. Upon approval, patents were issued with the United States holding the allotted land for 25 years in trust for the sole use and benefit of the Indian receiving allotment. At expiration of 25 years, the United States would convey the land by patent to the Indian or his heirs, in fee, discharged of trust and free of charge or incumbrance. President could extend the period.

Source

Constitution Society (http://www.constitution.org)

Format

PDF File

Language

English

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Education | Law | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Original Format

Paper

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

"1887, February 8 - 24 Stat. 388, Act for Allotment of Lands to Indians" (2016). US Government Legislation and Statutes. 19.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/hornbeck_usa_2_d/19