Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-02-26
II II +. II + II 4 l. d.



tced some p,thy remarks 90 two commune, uousoeu.
cd An Old Farmer. Asi rma Farmer hy oeeupa.
ton. confess ietitahUlc gathering to ny vanity to
sce so much sound pei sc aud sir1eht forward policy
comprised 10 So few lines, over such signature Wlh
due Difference however 60 the gcu,iemaus opinion,
must beg leave 10 differ from him respects, so
my views Of wbal he calls the "manl cement Of the
public lands Ai.er mentioning hs travels IN the north
parts OF Indiana, Illinois and Black Hawks county,
he nc Territorr & Iowa, and expressing LIS
opinion that the unsurveyod parts Of those countries
ought to "remain in the peaceabe possession Of hN Ma
lives, until they needed by the citizens Of the Unit
ed States Tor the purpose Of egucuture'he proceeds
10 make sundry inlcrrogaories, the m. or OF which
would seem to the practice of government IN
the purchase and sale OF those lands the hand,
and tie manner in which they settled 10y cmigranIs,
the other. / am the less surprised That the gentle
man has !mbibed such opinions as ! find many Of my
coun,rymen in a similar way of thinking Embodcn
ed by the gentleman rankness, purpose brieflyio
notice the ysem pursued by the Government in the
purchase and sale Of public lands and OF the pac
tees Of emigran,s alluded 10 by the gentleman,
censurabe And preliminary remark, permit me
say, that ii vastly easier to find fault with any sys
TEN, whaeve, than to devise better In the first place
the Indian title is exlinguished by purchase, and the
Natives removed This is not the work of
meat as the gentleman to suppose but requires
several years.
The land s then carefully surveyed into townships,
sections and quarter sections and after having been ad
versed offered for sale al auction by quarter section,
excepting every 10th section which reserved for the
support Of free schools It's provided by law that any
actual settler having settled and cultivated portion Of
any quarter section, shall have the right Of pre-emp
ton to the same that is he shall have the land a, the
minimum, lowest price of 81 25 per acre, if paid i'm
medatey to the Receiver. An lands not purchased at
the time of sale, subject 10 private entry that
ny individual may purchase them when he pleascs, at
the minimum price. Now for any iniquItous practice
of Office Holders, the business the system ought not
TO be discarded unless other SYSTEM less liable to
abuse be substituted IN its place, neither ought the
pernicous effects Of the Specie Circular, be laid
charge. The gentleman seems to think that settlers
should be declared from entering on lands not offered
for sale. Without attempting to consider the facilities,
rendered TO surveyors by squalters, would inquire
what would be the consequences of offering tract OF
land equal 10 the annual amount settled under this pro-
hlblon, without solitary settler a cabin on 1t 1t
cannot be supposed that such would be suitable OPP
pottuny for actual settlers to gather, simultaneously
from many different states 10 select and locate farms
greeabe to their several tastes and different occupa-
TONS land they have explored, aud to which
they can hardly be said 10 have access Would it not
be giving the land obng capitalists the best possible
chance 10 monopoIze large tracts their own terms
for retail at high prices, the erection of future baro
Mes consequences equally adverse the interest Of
the actual settler and the best good OF our country
This would be Opening door Tor speculation with
$ vengeance. Now, MIR Editor, the projects Of such 4
prohibition seems not altogether original with AN Ole
Farmer Our sage President btoached the idei
4 IN inf laa q
the gentleman suppose such enactment would be
As well might Congress make laws 10 restrain the DC
scending ram, conro the RISING flood of the Misss
spp prevent the hardy sons OF the Pilgrims from
occupying the western lands. On the scale Of
my, Mr. Editor, would It require military force
10 carry such law fully into effect than 1t would Il
protect the settlers though they scattered lrou
Geen Bay 10 Fort Leayenworh ana thence TO the Dor
ders Of Texas IT u be surrounded by cord
- on OF troops for our own benefit think nay brothe
Farmer, as well noble President, would wIs
to have their advanced line nearer than the summit 0
u the Rocky Mountains. The gentleman has given u
quite graphic description Of irregularities Of emgrant
> oi all characters "trespassng, squaltng aud
ting all kinds Of depredalIons the peoples lands
but he may search the annals OF emigration from CAIN
removal to the land Of Nod down to the recent settle
, ment OF Texas by that band Of outlaws that dsmem
beFed Mexico aud he viii look in Tor that pictur
. OF public prosperity and private happiness tor thos
scenes OF rural felicity, sweeened by yiftlOHs alice
tons, and adorned with religion, that rev settle
p. ments in The Western States exhibit The idea q
frauds committed the Public by the sq1at;ers is 10
futile 10 merit moments nouce. One objection urge
BY my brother Farmer against emigration H. that It re
tards internal Improvements in The old States Admit
o ting tie validity Of the objection, does he think inter
mai improvement IN the said States paramount 10 mon
4 weighty considerations the occupation Of f
l. "onused mil seats Of consequence 10 the nation
or 10 individuals than the locating and improving q
y valuable and fertile farms True II IT, that many eH
,srpns.ug and useful members Of society, as we'll
e some Of oeren, description, leave tins for tie Wes
B. but very disastrous consequences seem 70 follow
unusual prosperity attends and, although ms bro
il thef Farmer farm, well my own may need iu
ID Provsments IN Yarous ways ought TO wish Il,
pflce Of labor depressed b. dense population
ie enable 10 make them. Neither presume wou ID b
Wish hs - descend 10 the cultivation Of d nor
sterile soi, Of be confined 10 lees portion oi a 200
"a one, than he has done himself