Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-18
TOR THE TINES.
THE Law OF ENCLOSURES.

for the TIMES.
THE Lazy OF ENCLOSURES.
Me5srs Editors:
AS tbe limesls more generally read than anv other
ourual IN TINS vioty, have to ask for the publica-
non OF lew remarks concerning the law Of enclosures
IL not my purpose 10 treat this subject at length hut
simply to call the attention Of the reading portion Of
Inc community to the subject hoping that some more
competent person may be brought TO the task of ex-
to offer. ~ pp0
II may be SAID that this subject should be introduced
IN some one oil the griculura journals OF the day but
hnow ~ no such Journal that has general circua
ton IN this section of country and besides there are
some law questions involved and as law and politics
nave some sort OF affinity, think the discussion OF
i ionrns booeet pertains more properly political
louuai' nehce' throw myself upon your indulgence,
and when the law questions involved shall come up
nope mop 10 have your invidualvie upon them.
49, ie .perieSs appearance OF country and the
oass anount OF labor annually wasted in attempting to
eolPiy WIN ne oppressive laws concerning enclosures,
aoohisI US that something should be done The large
reias OF sap plnes (Which are almost worthless for
ienclg purposes) and the broomsedgy hills and plains
whcn present their appearance in almost every drec
ton seem to tell very forcbe terms that the face
OF our country has undergone many very important
changes since our colonial days, when the enclosure
laws were first passed. 1t seems to tell us that
laws which were then expedent, and necessary, and
proper, are now wholly inexpedent, unnecessary
and oppressive nexpedient, because we have not suf
Gent timbers to comply with them; unnecessary, be-
cause we could raise stock and improve our lands
10 greater extent without enclosures than with them
oppressive, because those laws compel to do that
which Is both inexpedent and unnecessary. Now, if
is asked what shall be done, unhesitatngly answer
repeal the law OF enclosures and make the laws in re-
ialon TO trepass more stringent and let them be more
rgIdly enforced promised not TO treat this subject
al length but as this announcement may startle some
OF your readers, hope you will spare me the space for
few remarks in support of the proposition l now
MAKE, VIZ ~: 70 repeal the law OF enclosures.
can quite imagine the surprise that this announce
occasion hut | to
hope that when the subject shall have been fully dis
cussed the proposition will not be thought paradoxal
as It appearsto be.
Justice and sound policy Seem IN reour. that avarv
lnolvdoa should refrain from trespassng on or other
wire oog INJURY TO the property of others, and at the
same e 10 use every means in his power to prevent
any and every thing under his control from committing
sucn trespass or Injury But the law question rever
ses 'hls principle OF Justice and good policy and re-
CURES every individual to guard his property and grow
ing crops from depredaions and indeed seems rather to
license depredatons waste and consume every spe-
ces OF crop and property which may not be guarded in
some speclhed manner. Now Freely admit that at
former ne circumstances justified the general adoption
OF thlspocy, and that it is still expedent over por-
non OF the territory OF Virginia But in another large
portion OF the State from change of circumstances this
poicy mas become as injurious in its practical operation
as Is unjust IN theory and the law enforcing the adop.
tion OF 1t this portion OF the State ought to be repeal
ed. ~ ~
It should be repealed, because it has done much and
Will do more to drive population from Eastern Virpi.
MIA than all other causes combined Thousands of the
mountain yeomanry OF whom our Western friends are
now 1oasung, and by whose help they expect land
ooupless Wild shake the sceptre OF government over
our heads, have been driven from midst by the en-.
iorcement or this unwise policy When tract of land is
offered Tor sale, an individual who would purchase views
lhe premises and finds all the fences in dilapidaed
condlton and no timber upon the place with which to
repair them, and making the big ditch which the
law requires There be fence his resolution ifalers
at the thought oil it, and he quickly concludes as thou
SANDS nave done III go west. Now but for this law,
u maj o,ynHar tbor ~
e Ola FENCES as would enclose much pasture ground
as ne would need for his own stock, would take hold
OF the land at TAR price, and thus become permanent
citizen. Hence the repeal of this law would have
great tendency to enhance the value of lands and help
to retain many useful citizen amongst u.s. And as it
Is productive OF no manner Of good, and as it has had
which attribute to it, of course ought to be re-
pealed There will doubtless be found some in every
county who own land and have not one ,od of such
encl osure as the law requires, who will oppose the
Tepea OF the Jaw IN question, because they actual
" desire that their lanky grunters may find
their way into a neighbours corn or wheat field
where they may steal enough to prolong their days
corn time. There men within my knowledge. who
actually turn out their stock that thew NAV feed upon
their poor neighbours, who are not able to make such
enclosure IS the law requires. There ale such men,
propao,y some 10 oyery country; and they always
the ilrst to avail themselves of the intricate provisions
OF the law OF enclosures to avoid the payment of da.
images. Ii for other purpose than to stay this mi
quous practice, and to enable the who is not able
surance that crop secure from depreciation or
destroyed that be has safe and sure remedy against
ne man who caused it, or suffered it to be destroyed
the aw OF enclosures ought to be repealed
In this immediate neishborhood nine -tentbs of all
the land both arabic and Forest enclosed not in such
manner as the law requires because not many have the
time or the timber to do it, but is enclosed in such
manner as to enable every farmer to keep his own live
stock on his own premises and generally in standing
pastures enclosed for the purpose These permanent
pastures generally about one-fih of every farm
Now think 1t is the most ntolerable Justice on earth
TO require nine entls OF all the farmers to enclose
four hths of all their land in such manner a, the law
requires, to enable the Onetenth, who own but little
land or stock, to get the benefit of the public RANGE
which does not belong to them. Verify this is grew
ance which cannot be forever borne with And when
the people shall have opportunity to express their
sentiments upon the suhject-when the question of re.
peal shall be submitted to them at the polls as should
be, nine tenths of them will cry out as with one voice
the odlous and oppressive law OF enclosures shall be re-
peoled.
While do not wish to this subject have apy bear
ing upon the approaching elections think when our
expected new government shall get fairly under wa, il
should be made test qualification OF candidates for
the legislature In this Nay the sense of the people
could be clearly ascerained, and have no doubt thew
would elect members to the legislature who rave the
Willingness and ability bring the subject before that
body, and who will cease to work until the law of
enclosures is repealed. AGRICOLA.
CURDsvILLE, April 4th, 1851.
LARGE GOLD COINS.
The editor OF the Union has seen one Of the fifty dol