Section 673, R.S. § 2354, authorized private sales of all public lands in entire, half, etc., sections. Section 674, R.S. § 2355; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946 , 11 F.R. 7876 , 60 Stat. 1100 , required a memorandum in connection with application for purchase of public land at private sale. Section 675, act May 18, 1898, ch. 344, § 2, 30 Stat. 418 , set forth requirements for private sale of public lands in Missouri. Section 676, R.S. § 2365; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946 , 11 F.R. 7876 , 60 Stat. 1100 , authorized sale of public land to highest bidder at the private sale of land. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date of Repeal Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, § 703(a) , Oct. 21, 1976 , 90 Stat. 2789 , provided that the repeal made by section 703(a) is effective on and after Oct. 21, 1976 . Savings Provision Repeal by Pub. L. 94–579 not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976 , see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579 , set out as a note under section 1701 of this title .