Pre-emption.

Pre-emption. In the United States, under the Pre-emption Act of 1841, an actual settler on the public lands enjoys the right, in preference to any one else, of purchasing at a fixed price the land on which he has settled, to the extent of not more than 160 acres. In the case of 'offered' lands the settler must file his 'declaratory statement' within thirty days after entry, and within a year proof must be made of settlement and cultivation, and the land thereupon paid for, at 1.25 per acre if outside the limits of a railroad grant, or 2.50 if within such limits. If the tract settled on is 'unoffered,' an approved plan of the township must first be received at the district land office; the statement must then be filed within three months, and final proof and payment be made within thirty months thereafter. Title to land is thus obtained much sooner (possibly within six months) than under the homestead laws (see HOMESTEAD); but a homestead settler may at any time after six months purchase the land under the pre-emption laws; as, on the other hand, the holder of a pre-emption claim may convert it into a homestead.