The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-09-12
PATROONERY.

PATROONERY.
The manor difficulties are by no means
at an end; on the contrary the combina-
ton of the Renters in all parts of the
Re nsselaerwick and Delaware manors so
far as we can hear, is extending and
every day growing stronger and more
determined. We need not add that we
are opposed to all illegal and evil acts,
and therefore disapprove Of the d" Indian
movement" There must be remedy
for the evils complained of, (ifwell foun.
ded, and Of this we have no manner of
Doubt or else our government and nsti-
tuition are not after all, based upon just
and equitable principles: for as i: leaves
one part Of community, and that almost
the entire community, to suffer from the
avarice and cupidity of few landed ar
istocrats, with at best a doubtful tenure
to the land they claim. In such cause
our equal laws and equal justice are
all farce" We are after all not indie
pendent republicans, but the vassals Of
Feudalism!
We cannot now detail particulars of
the difficulties: we can only say that on
both sides of the river difficulties, and
thus far insurmountable objects have
been thrown in the way of'MyLord,' the
PATRON, collecting the rents claimed to
be due. Not but a few weeks ago, a
man nenr Sand Lake, Rensselaer, coun-
ty, was served with process by an officer
from Troy on claim from 'My Lord
William Van Rensselaer, and after the
parties had proceeded a short way to-
ward Troy, some men in the garb of In
dams rushed out of the bushes, armed
with rifles, and released the man.
About the same time the Deputy sher-
if in the same neighborhood was taken
by these same disguised men, and tarred
and feathered, and sent away with threats
of violence. Subsequently the Sheriff
of Albany County, Mr. Batterman, while
travelling with legal process with intent
to levy, had his horse sho. from under
him while riding in the Helderburgh
country on my Lord Stephen Van Rens-
selaers Domains. And here it may be
we'll to correct mistake into which the
Tribune and others have fallen, in stating
that the Rensselaerwick manor is but
twelve miles each way from the Hudson
river, and running "a miles down the
river, commencing at the lower or south
end Of Troy. Whereas that is only Just
nalf the quantity of land claimed as be-
ing embraced in the original title. II is
"a miles from the river each way east
and west, that this Lordly claim is ex-
tended
Now this remnant of Feudalism will
never be less troublesome in this free
country than now, and therefore the soon
err the true remedy is applied the better.
There are such things as legal rights
involving grossly immoral wrong. Slaos-
ry itself is legal or rather Iegalizea
right And yet it is absurd and ridicul-
Gus to affirm that slavery is founded in
moral right, Now Patroonery or the
manor system which, as we have seen
stated in the Evening Post, extends itself
into about 40 of the counties in this State
if we mistake not. What is this system
but legal fraud, (if-indeed it be legal
which we doubDgrasping the land which
of'igM belong to the laboring classes.
Man we assert has an inalienable right 10
and as much as he has to any other of
Gods elements 1t is essential to give
hin existence, and keep him alive after
he has that existence, to be able to till
he earth, and reap it for his own benefit.
1t is robbery then to allow the contin-
lance of Manorism
The tenure by which it is claimed that
hese lands are held far back, even to the
lark ages of Feudalism f! And yet it is
claimed that the title and system are
1alid under Democracy. Why have
We denied in our national constitution the
tile of nobility? Was it intended merely
o deny the name, but suffer the thing
tselfto exist, to refuse the shadow while
We admit the substance We think not
nd we do not believe Patroonery conld
land the sitting of true constitutional
lvestigation. AS it is all our military
over is pledged to aid aud abet the col. {
'ction Of rents, which we are told are