As the lands were surveyed and put on sale land districts were established, each with its land office where purchasers entered their claims and secured the same by paying down one-forth of the government price, which at one time was $2 per acre, and at another $1.50. The balance was paid in annual installments and subject to forfeiture if the payments fell delinquent. In time there was considerable trouble with delayed payments, and some legislation for relief.
The first land office in Indiana was established at Vincennes, March 26, 1804, with John Badollet as Register and Nathan Ewing as Receiver. The second office was opened at Jeffersonville in 1807. Subsequent ones, as the acquired lands extended northward, were at Brookville, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Winamac and Ft. Wayne.
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