Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-19
To the e,litor Of the .1lerandria Gazeas

TO the editor Of tie -ilerandria Gazette:
Some notices of late Deer HUT, in MA
sons Neck" which appeared 10 your paper
Of last Saturday, require that should, as
one OF the proprietors of that property, claim
at your hands space for a few remarks.
By the statute of Virginia. for the prcser
walton of certain useful animals" tie kiiinH
o. haring IN possession a Deer, (the same MT
being his opn, tanned or eHclosed an park,l
after the lst Of February, or before the lst Of
September, in any county east Of the Blue
Ridge, is inhibited under penalty Of s..
As no distinction is made as to Tdere this
hun. was exactly held, must presume, from
the extent of the drives described that is
took place on my lands. as we'll as on those
Of the other prOpriet)rs Of the Neck. IL
would then seen, from their own sta tement,
that these gentlemen n only violated the
law, but have gone on those lands without
invitation. without permission, aGi without
even the knowledge IF the owner; and more
have in fact, Thy the publication of the re-
suit of their expedition,) If not offered al
actual invitation, at least hold out a strong
Indictment, for every one who shall read II,
20 90 and do likewise. can but hope tni- bls
been all done without due reflection. What
would gentlemen think Of any ones using
their slaves, or horses and carriages, at plea
sure, without their permission, because, for
sooth, they might find them without their en-.
closures and, then, let every one else know,
by an advertisement 10 the papers, Of their
whereabouts, that taey might 20 aud take the
came liberty? |. every other species Of pro
perty to be sacred except land. the very
highest known to our laws? We acquire 1t
by purchase, or hold il by inheritance, and
have our patents from the State showing our
exclusive rights and privileges therein, which
can be said Of no other property and, all
must admit, it has ever borne the chief Ell
penses Of our Government. and that 1t = DOW
most enormously taSel to carry on system
of internal improvements, which, however
advantageous t. the inhabitants OF the towns,
il certainly Of none whatever to US on tbe
tide-waters. 1t is. then, but poor privilege,
indeed, in return for the heavy burtheus we
bear for the benefit Of Others, that our prela'-
SeS should be exempt from intrusion, and the
very little game now left Oh our lands ehJuld
remain undisturbed, for the use OF amu'e'
ment of the proprietor and his invited friends.
10 the vicinity Of Alexandria, such has
been its most unrestricted extermnatIou,
that there is scarcely even a singing bird
now left 20 enliyen our gardens or grounds
but. We did hope, that our possessions, 81 10
or 20 miles distance from town, would be eH'
empted from the incursions of it, inbabI-
tauts. And ] trust and believe they wall,
from all respectable persons, at least, when
they are once aware how contrary Il l. 70
our wi>hes for | can say with truth, AMI
do 80 with great pleasure, that 10 the nearly
80 years have lived in the neigh6Jrhooi Of
Alexandra, and the almost 50 years | have
been q land-holder in Vrgiula--no decent
man-kuowing my bjectiop--ias ever, 10 my
Knowledge, hunted on my lands or, II be
had in ignorance done 50, a single notice oil
my wish has prevented its repetition. am
very sure, therefore, that 10 gentleman. from
either town or country, will, DOW that DO
knows it is 30 disagreeaJle &c me, ever, here
after, huut on my premises, either here or at
Lexington. g. MASON.
Spring Baok, Va, March l4th, 1858.