Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-12-19
DOMESTIC.

The proclamation of the President,
which is published in this days paper, is in
tended to terminate au evil which is be-
lieved to be coeval with the government it
self. From the close OF the revolutionary
war, it has been the practice OF a particu-
lar class of men to emigrate to, and settle
upon, every cession of land obtained from
the various Indian tribes within our limits,
before it has been surveyed, and settle
ments thereon authorised by law.
The cession OF several tracts of country
VIII oh had been subjected to a foreign juris-
d'cton, and upon winch settlements had
been made during the exercise OF that lu-
risdiction, and which h d not been so far
sanctioned as to give a title i'll law or eQui
w, gave rise 10 a species of claims c. lied
hrc-enftfo1 titles. Congress, by various
acts relative to those cessions, recognized
such settlements, by eXempting them from
sale at publ auction, and securing the le-
sal title to the occupants, upon the pay
ment of the minimum price of public lands
within the time prescribed for purchases
made agreeaby to the existing laws. The
recognition of these claims gave a new sti-
nuluS to this kind of unlawful settlement.
| Was conceived that the principle uD N
which claims founded upon settlement, an
terror to the cesSion, had been recognized
might, without much difficulty, b. extend
Ell to settlements made subsequently to it,
Under this expectation, the number of in
truders upon the public land had greatly
lncr, ased, and embraced with the old, a
new class of adventures. The first intru-
ders were composed Of mere huntsmen and
herdsmen, who were influenced by the dou-
bic consideration of game and range for
their stock. Whenever NV cession was
obtained which offs r d greater advantares
IN those respects, second emigration i'm
mediately ensued. But the expectation
which had been formed, that settlements
made subsequent to the cession, would Sc
cure pre- -emption titles to the occupants,
added % the former class, men Of wealth,
who valued the acquisition of property
more than they respect the laws of their
country. These men upon every cession of
lands from tie Indians, have joined them
selves to the former class, intruded upon
the public lands, and selected every tr ct
rendered peculiarly valuable, either by its
fertility or situation. Finding themselves
disapp inted, by the refusal of Congress to
recosnze their Legitimate claims, they
have resOrted to various other unlawful
means to secure their illegal possession
The FL st and most effectual of these means
iHtru lers to prevent all persons DESTROYS of
Decoming purchasers from exploring the
country previous to the sale This has been
Effected by menaces 10 assassinate any per
son who shou I've found upon, or in the vi
cinity OF these uul WIFI, settlcmt hts. The
second has been, to publish the same men
ace at the time and place of sale against
any person who should bid for a tract of
land occupied by member of the associa-
ton. Ibis last mode Of intimidation is the
more effectual. when the sale is held upon,
or ada elt 10, the public lands thus intru-
ded upon. When the lawless character Of
the Intrlders S Consid red, the success of
Their ,farts to exclude compel ton in the
5 j S, aud cons quently to secure to them.
selves pre-emp,i1n titles cannot be doubted.
by these means the laws have been disre-
I'D d with impunlty, the revenue has been
dettauded, and the most worthless classes
the community have engrosecd the most
fertile lands and the most eligible sites for
the erection oftowns, mills and water works
OF every description. In the words Of the
proclamation, " the due execution of the
id act OF Congress, as we'll as the gener-
al interest, require that such illegal practi-
ces shouidb promptly repressed."
The axe is now applied to the root Of the
evil. he intruders, il they djsobey the
injunction Of the proclamation, will not on
" be removed by military force, but will
moreover be subjected to the pains and ne
oalties OF the act o. Congress above refer
red to.
Other descriptions Of intruders upon the
pablo laad, and upon that Of the Indians,