The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-12-18

The PATkoos DIFTfcULvIEs.-lhee ehiLsus
OF Albany have been considerably exeHeo da'-
ing the past week by some diffculties growing
out Of The pon-paymenf Of renfs by the lessses
Of various portions Of the Rensselaer, Estate IN
that Comfy. IL seems that after the death oil
Mr.. Van Rensselaer,. the late Psiroon. the usu-
al notice was given requiring persons indebted
TO MAKE payment. Some few Of The tenants
accordingly paid up; but the greater part nog-
lecred TO do so. and appointed committee OF
FIVE persons to wait upon Stephen Van Rens-
seIasr on the 22d OF May last. in order to re-
monstrsie upon what they considered the enor-
nous rs nts demanded OF them. The terms on
which the original leases were granted. were
22I bushels Of Wheat yearly rent for each lot
of / so acres OF land. or its equivalent in other
produce or labor. Wheat at that time brought
only rs cents per bushel-a days labor with
carriage aud team. 81. Thus The years rent
amounted to about SI6 81. The committee
contended that by the rise in the price Of pro-
duce, &c. their rents were augmented to be-
tween S35 and $50 per annum; making tick
tremely difficult for many of the tenants TO sup
poit their families and pay their rents without
involving themselves and posteriiy in extreme
peril and hardships, and that it was physically
/ impossible. owing TO the sterility and rough
! ness Of the soil. 10 raise sufficient wheat for
this purpose" They therefore demanded that
the old leases be abolished and new ones given.
in which the rents stipulated should be paid in
money, at the same rates as when first given
and the rents of those tenants whose property
was encumbered to the amount OF their person
al effects, should be remtied in ~hole.-To
these demands or propositions. the PATRON
dissented entirely, as il would have deprecated
his income one half; and he should do injustice
to himself and family by thus unwarrantably
iritterlne away his property by aceedinS 10
them was willing, however, TO change
the Wheat to Money rent. at the average
price of the article for the last forty y-seycn
years. which is about 81 40: but no change
should be made until all arrears are paid.
Several acceded to this proposition. and the
changes were r.ade; and little else was heard
in relation to the matter until the 4th oi July
last, when large number of tenants from the
different towns met together in Convention At
Bern. aud solemnly passed resolutions express
i've of their rights and privileges under the Con-
sitution and Laws, and their determination To
resist the d. mands Of the" pretended proprie-
tor OF their soil. and pledging their " fortunes
and their sacred honor to the last extremely to
) protect their rights"
Legalmean were resorted TO iu order TO COM
pei the payment Of the outstanding debts due
the Estate. The Sheriff was resisted in his at
temps to distrain for rent, and the posse conli-
tatls was ordered out to assist him.
Neg Yorker.
Subsequent accounts state that the posse met
with resistance and retired, and the Governor
ordered out part Of the militia Of Albany and
Z the adjacent counties, and warned other large
2 bodies (2OOO in New York city, ect.) TO hold
t the mseyes in readiness to march at a moment s
h warning. to assist the civil power. He also is
: sued his proclamation, calling upon the insur-
a gents to obey and conform 10 the laws Some
accounts state the tenants to number e1bOC
men, and that they had armed themselves. siez
ed cannon, powder. ect., and were determined
to resist to the last but this is considered ar
Is refrigeration. At the last advices some comps
IS uies of troops were on the ground, but it wa'
+. hoped and believed that the law would be en-
o forced without any bloodshed.