§991 Title of purchasers of unconfirmed lands in Arkansas confirmed

Summary

People who, on April 29, 1898, had bought unconfirmed swamp land from Arkansas and held deeds keep their ownership. Their ownership is protected against any claim by the United States, and they, their heirs, or later owners do not owe any money to the United States or to Arkansas. Arkansas gives up to the United States any claim it had before April 29, 1898, in lands that were confirmed, certified, or patented to the State but later entered under federal public land laws. Arkansas also gives up its rights under the Acts of September 28, 1850; March 2, 1855; and March 3, 1857, in lands the United States had previously granted or patented, and the people who received those lands keep their ownership. These actions were to take effect only after Arkansas accepted the terms by a law or a written instrument by the governor and filed it with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Interior within one year after April 29, 1898. Because the Arkansas legislature accepted on March 10, 1897, the rules became effective on April 29, 1898.