The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-20

The Land Reformers and Mr.. Buchanan.
AT meeting Of the land reformers Monday evening
last letters received from the Hon A. W. Bates,
United States Senator from Delaware; Hon q. A. Grow,
OF pennsy lvania and the Hon. John Cochrane OF New
York The following resolution unanimously adopt
ed
Resolved, That the letter of Mr.. John Commerford 10
the President Of the United States, and the OF
his Excelcncy thereto, be PUBLISHED.
LETTER OF Mr.. CoMMERF0KD.
HosoRED SR-I have been instructed to forward to you
the enclosed resolution and TO express the qualification
your action in adournng the sale of the public lands in
the Territory Of Kansas. Without being acquainted with
the motives which have influenced yourself an
within the boundaries 70 which they were IN
vited, with the expectation Of enjoying free homes
by the exercise of free labor left 10 infer that IN
the execution OF the policy pursued, you have
nstgated 10 adopt II through the sincere desire Of
protecting the interests of those whose future hap
piness depends upon the fostering indulgence Of
just wise and watchful government. In acknowledg
ing the benefit you have rendered, have disposition
10 make ourselves ofcious should not obrude upon
your time were not that we conscious that in the
preston Of opinion but give aterance to the
tanned wishes Of the great body of fellow citizens A.
an evidence that we correct in the above Wow Of the
sentiments OF the people Of this metropolis II is only
sary to state that from twenty to thirty thousand of
leading capitalists and business forward last
winter and attached their to petitions calling upoa
Congress for the passage of homestead bill 1t is well
known that the financial difficulties OF 1857 the
OF throwing thousands Of Of employ
the number has not been materially essened that
period In calamity which overlook these men there
no left that of appeal TO the
of the benev of those who possessed wealth In the
call which was made the public expectation nobly
responded to- and is estimated that five million dollars
collected ana distributed among the needy within the
precincts Of New York and Brooklyn. This amouat OF
money obtained outside Of that which had been appro
prated by the authorities Of those cities for the annual
support OF the poor each of those places recur 70
these things TO show that from tbs evidence Of the eon
ton OF the people has been drawn the knowledge
that in a period of the kind Of disaster with which
We have been visited il is wrong to expect
that one class of citizens should be called upon
TO furnish the msaaS OF living To another, the
pcoay when that other wou1 willingly refrain from
Stunning those means provided they could have a field
in which to exercise their accustomed industry Believing,
as do, that there is little prospect Of improvement for
ready empo! ment IN the manufacturing mechanical AMI
aborng pursuits throughout country those with whom
am associated believe that the larger share such
are now idle would cheerfuy accept OF opportunity
to settle upon the lands OF the government, il they
could have the assurance that free title would follow
in the path Of such settlement la times like the present
when the population OF our large cities the sub
ect to the visitation OF the misery and desituton which
spring from the want OF empos ment, and a conse.
quencc of this circumstance those who have the
through the exercise OF feeling Of humanity, temporarily
expend more money to relieve ii than would be sufficient
TO furnish this multitude with free convey any
the territories belonging TO the people OF the United States
it requires but little consideration perceive that
is the interest OF the above class sustain mea
sure that will relieve them from being SO repeatedly
called upon to contribute towards the subsistence OF
so large body OF their fellow citizens. Within States
where the lands covered By population, the evil,
i should be tic boast of the American statesman
that there is not unemployed 10 become desli.
ttue Of the elements Of existence whilst there acre
OF unoccupied land that needs cultivation Entertaining
the opinion that IN the policy of managing the public
lands you have IN some degree the correctness
Of the above views. am, &c, JOHN CoMMERFoRp.
His Exccllcncy JAMES BUCHANAN
LETTER or THE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON Cry, Nov. 2. 1858.
MY DEAR SR-I am greatly indebted 10 Mr. Tay Tor for
having directed my attention your able and interesting
letter OF September last communicating the graty ing a
formation that the land Reform Association adopted
resolution approving Of my in postponng the
land sales in Kansas The motives which im?elcd mn o.
this act correctly stated IN the resolution have
been the friend OF the poor settler and have manifested
this at different periods Of public life. Please 10 pre-
sent my grateful thanks the association for this valued
token OF their regard ought 10 explain the why
your letter not brought my notice until after had
heard from Mr.. Taylor II was pure accident such
very rarely happens with me and entirely the
fact that the letter delivered TO servant at my
country residence, and not at the Executive Mansion
Asking your pardon for the uninen,onal neglect,
main, yours very respectfully, JAMES BUCHANAN.
john CuMMERfoRD, Esquire.