43 U.S.C. § 146 — Patents to purchasers of lands withdrawn

Once the purchase price is paid, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to issue a patent — an official land grant — transferring all the government's right, title, and interest in the land to the buyer. The Secretary may attach whatever reservations, limitations, or conditions the Secretary sees fit to that patent. No more than 160 acres may be sold to any one person. Any patent issued under this section must include a reservation keeping all oil, gas, coal, and other minerals for the United States — meaning the buyer does not get those minerals, even though they get the land.