This article shall not interfere with or prejudice any vested rights in and to any of the lands embraced within the boundaries of said Las Vegas grant, or preclude a judicial examination or adjustment thereof, and it is hereby made the duty of said board of trustees to make, execute and deliver deeds of conveyance to any and all persons who hold a title to any such lands, which became or was perfect or entitled them to the possession thereof at the time of the acquisition of New Mexico, under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, or at any other time subsequent thereto. It is made the further duty of said board of trustees, by and with the approval of the judge of the district court for San Miguel county, to make, execute and deliver deeds of conveyance, free of cost, except for surveys, platting the same and other necessary expenses, to any and all persons making application therefor, who have held sufficient lands embraced within the boundaries of said Las Vegas grant, in actual possession, for a period of not less than ten years prior to the date of said application, to entitle them to receive one hundred and sixty acres of land under the rules of the board: provided, however, that not more than one hundred and sixty acres shall be so granted or deeded to any one person, and also provided, that where community settlements of titles can be made, only such amounts of land shall be granted as have been under cultivation and a reasonable amount additional as in the opinion of the board shall be just and equitable to all the resident [residents] of said grant. And all such deeds executed by said board of trustees prior to March 18, 1909 and approved by the court are hereby validated and confirmed.