R.S. § 2251 derived from acts Mar. 3, 1853, ch. 97, § 1, 10 Stat. 204; Mar. 3, 1853, ch. 144, 10 Stat. 244.

For delegation to Secretary of the Interior of authority vested in President by this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 10250, June 5, 1951, 16 F.R. 5385, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.