SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any person or persons, who before the first day of April, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, had made any contract or contracts, in writing, with John Cleves Symmes, for the purchase of lands between the Great and Little Miami rivers, which are not comprehended in his patent, dated the thirtieth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, shall be entitled to a preference, in purchasing of the United States, all the lands so contracted for, at the price of two dollars an acre, to be paid to the treasurer of the United States, as follows: one third part of the purchase money, on or before the first day of September next; one other third part in
