ALASKA. 
AN ACT to amend section twenty-three hundred and twenty-six of the Revised Statutes, in 
regard to mineral lands, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled: That the adverse claim required by 
section twenty-three hundred and twenty-six of the Revised Statutes may be 
verified by the oath of any duly authorized agent or attorney-in-fact of the 
adverse claimant cognizant of the facts stated; and the adverse claimant, if 
residing or at the time being beyond the limits of the district wherein the claim 
is situated, may make oath to the adverse claim before the clerk of any court of 
record of the United States or the State or Territory where the adverse claim¬ 
ant may then be, or before any notary public of such State or Territory. 
Sec. 2. That applicants for mineral patents, if residing beyond the limits of 
the district wherein the claim is situated, may make any oath or affidavit required 
for proof of citizenship before the clerk of any court of record, or before any 
notary public of any State or Territory. 
Approved April 26, 1882. (22 Stat., 49.) 
AN ACT to exclude the public lands in Alabama from the operation of the laws relating to mineral 
lands. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives oj the United States 
of America in Congress assembled, That within the State of Alabama all public 
lands, whether mineral or otherwise, shall be subject to disposal only as agricultural 
lands: Provided, however. That all lands which have heretofore been reported 
to the General Land Office as containing coal and iron shall first be offered at 
public sale: And provided further. That any bona fide entry under the provi¬ 
sions of the homestead law of lands within said State heretofore made may be 
patented without reference to an act approved May tenth, eighteen hundred and 
seventy-two, entitled, “An act to promote the development of the mining 
resources of the United States,” in cases where the persons making application 
for such patents have in all other respects complied with the homestead law 
relating thereto. 
Approved, March 3, 1883. (22 Stat., 487.) 
AN ACT providing a civil government for Alaska. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
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of America in Congress Assembled, 
Sec. 8. That the said district of Alaska is hereby created a land district, and 
a United States land office for said district is hereby located at Sitka. The 
