At any time after the passing of this act, on the application of any of the settlers as aforesaid, who may have filed their applications in the land office, it shall be the duty of the secretary of the land office to issue a certificate to the treasurer of this commonwealth, authorizing him to receive any sum or sums of money, not less than ten dollars, and upon the receipt being returned to the land office, it shall be entered to the credit of the said applicant, although he may not have executed a mortgage so as to entitle him to a warrant or patent.
64 P.S. § 150