Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-02-12
From The PhGr6s, E.rfra. Jan. 29fh.
LAND FRAUD.
Letter from the Governor.

MR. HALL - received tonight, by Mr.. Geo. Smith,
tns within letter and orders, from Gov. WHITcoNB,
which wish you to publish, for the information OF all
concerned. Yours, &C. JOHN W. WRIGHT.
IsDIANAPoLIs, Jan. 90, 1876.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of yesterday evening
celved this morning. by the hands Of Mr.. GEo SMITH,
VINO came by express for that purpose
am greatly surprised 10 learn that law authorizing
canal lands 10 be entered failure pay interest for
two years. was passed at the last session Although my
health Is yet feeble, have the Secretary of
States otce (where am wIiting) for the purpose
OF examining into the whole matter practicable
mud The bill by tile in which canal lands not allu-
ded to- by It's title is An amending the
2l6th See Of Revised Code Chapter 49, and page
1t is only by examining the Rev Code page midi
Gated, that The reference perceived BY the endorse.
ment on the bill, II have been introduced into
the House of Representatives by Mr. Parker Ii
Produced as late as the 18th January, ruesday) The
Legislature had previously resolved adjourn the
18th, (Monday) IL read the first and second times
in The House. and seems 10 have been referred TO the ju
dietary committee. On the 18th, the rery day fired for
adjournment, II again made IFS appearance the hurry
which then usually prevails and read the third time
and passed Ii was then taken the Senate read the
first, second and third times and passed, all an the
day All thls appears from the Clerks endorsement on
the bill itself
The LIST Sec. of the bill declares " that the lone year
allowed in the 2lS Sec. of Chap 3D. p 267, of the Rev.
Code the time within which the lands shall be
deemed, is hereby extended 10 two years. The word
was at first written three, in black ink being the
color, and in the hand writing, with the of
bill. The three has been struck through with the pen,
and the word tioO written just above, aud figure just
below, in blue ink, and in a different hand writing. Sec.
provides that where purchaser has neglected the
provisions OF said Sec 2lS for years successvel,
last past then the proper shall be governed
IN an respects by the provisions OF the 2o, 2lth and
Oth sections, chap IL, of Revised Code aforesaid The
word FIRST written three in this I'd Sec. ALSO but
afterwards crossed with the pen, and the word
written above II, in aghier black ink, and IN different
hand writing Sec declares that this shall be in
'rce from and after lis passage, and certified copy be-
ing filed IN each of the Canal land Offices with the
Commissioners thereof and that all laws cOntravening
the provisions of this act are hereby repealed The
word Canal in this last Secion has been nterlined
apparently The coIored ink and in The hand
writing the word two in the Cd section.
This all have yet been able gather Of the history
OF the bill. BY whom how the amendments or alter
atlons in the bill were made, is not known.
On the l9h inst, the day first fixed by the General
Assembly for adjournment, had been confined for
era days with violent and acute attack Of sickness.
This induced the Legislature to extend the time for
other day, TO enable sign the bills The bills
read TO me. was then raised up my bed and IN that
weak condition of body and mind ] was compelled to
sign hundreds of bills When tins bill before me-
with many Others noticed that il referred to other dlcs
of which it proessed to be amendment. ] in
condition 10 send for and examine those other laws.
Besides, the LIST Sec said that the one year within
which redeem lands should be extended 10 " two
years This looked like indulgence and relieft 90 the
canal land purchasers, and the bill had received The
approval OF the members of both House and Senate,
had not doubt that all right and let the bill go
with the rest. now regret 10 learn that is cruel OPP
preston the purchasers and has been passed under
that, think afford strong evidence of fraud,
for cannot believe that the Legislature would have
sanctioned such law, if its character had been fully
derstood. Its provisions, indeed directly conflict with
those of act approved only the day before entitled
" An for the relief of purchasers Of Canal Lands "
This latter act provides that hereafter all w and f. Ca
nal lands that that may hereafter become for
feited non-payment of either principal interest,
both east and west of Tppecanoe river at The time The
may become due, under the laws force regula
ting The sale of said lands shall be the duty per-
son having charge Of the land Office where The same may
have been purchased, offer the Tor sale othe
lands offered, public sale the first Monday
January in each and every year, &C., first having given
four weeks notice. &c. and gives the purchaser the priv
lege of edeemng any time before sale This last law
also is force from aud after its passage Besides
all this the State Debt Bill extends the time Of payment
canal land purchasers for flee The last
show that il the intention of the Legislature
duge and aror these purchasers and affords satisfactory
proof that the law complained of got through
under plausible and name, carrying the
pearance of relief on its face, but OF oppression at lis
heart and could have received the sanction of the
Legislature if its beet had been known.
Under these circumstances have felt it my duty to
issue request Col LUCAS the Canal Superintendent,
and Mr.. FsHER his successor which, far have
the power, is made order, suspend all sales
tries of Canal lands under act entitled An act
amending the 2lSth Sec of Revised Code Chap, b. and
page 267, being the complained Of Similar docu-
ments IN writing, have been filed with III. j. HARRIS,
ESQ., the Auditor of Public Accounts, not to counter
sign such canal land Certificate and with the Serre-
tary of Stale not To issue any patent Tor any cana and
the act last referred to- As such certificate has
vet been and such patent issued there
need be- think, no apprehension felt on the part OF
those whose lands have been sought be purchased that
their rights will be taken away impaired. The next
Legislature doubt not, will take early
peal the act in question. In the lime, nothing on
my part shall be wanting protect those who have been
sought to be injured. am dear sir, in great haste,
JAS. wHITCoMB.
Hon. JOHN w. WRIeHT,
President Judge, &c. &c.
The following copies of the requests referred to in
the foregoing letter.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Indianapolis, Jan. "a, 1876. )
SrEARNs FISHER, Esq.,
Superintendent of W. and E. Canal
You are hereby requested and (as far the Executive
possesses the power) directed, you enter
canal lands under the Of Jany 2Oh nst entitled An
act amending the 2lSth Section Of Revised Code Chap
ter I3, page 267" lam very respectfully,
Your OBJ DIT servant,
JAS. wHITCoMB.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Indianapolis Jan'y q, lS46. )
E. F. LUCAS, ESQ,
Superintendent of ". and E. Canal.
You are hereby requested, and las far The Executive
possesses the powe directed suspend all sales
tries of canal lands under the act OF 10Th Jany INST,
entitled An amending the 2iSth section of Revised
Code chap. 13, aud page 267. am very respectfully,
''' JAS wHITCoMB
OAFWm Cobbett, Esq, barrster, and a son Of
the late William Goblet, lies in the Queens
Prison. for contempt of the Court of Chancery III not
paying, as ordered, certain is.
The readers of the Waverly Novels will probably
recollect Mr. Oldbuck, the antiquarian's mode OF
showing that imprisonment for debt was unknown to
the British laws No creditor could commit his debtor
He asked the law to aid him. The law, through the