CANVASSING FOR LEGAL APPOINTMENTS. 291 



themselves in American affairs, are aware of the existence 

 of a body of men in the State of New York who have 

 been distinguished as &quot; anti-renters &quot; persons who hold 

 portions of ancient grants or manors, on condition of 

 paying certain reserved rents and manorial claims to the 

 original grantee, or lord of the manor, from whom they 

 hold. During late years the payment of these rents and 

 charges began first to be complained of, then to be 

 resisted, then absolutely refused, and finally their legality 

 to be disputed. The question has caused much excite 

 ment and considerable disturbance in the State. It has 

 been agitated in the Legislature, and in the courts of law, 

 and the supposed opinions in regard to it of candidates 

 for legal appointments is said to have formed an element 

 which weighed with many in determining which can 

 didate they would support. 



During the last canvass for the office of Attorney- 

 general, I met with the following advertisement in the 

 public journals of the State : 



u I have repeatedly been applied to by individuals to 

 know my opinions with regard to the manorial titles, 

 and what course I intended to pursue, if elected, in rela 

 tion to suits commenced and to be commenced under the 

 joint resolution of the Senate and Assembly. I have, 

 uniformly replied to these inquiries, that I regard the 

 manor titles as a public curse, which ought not to exist 

 in a free government, and that, if they can be broken up 

 and invalidated by law, it will give me great pleasure ; 

 and I shall prosecute the pending suits with as much 

 vigour and industry as I possess, and will commence 

 others, if, on examination, I shall be satisfied there is the 

 least possible chance of success. I regard these prose 

 cutions as a matter of public duty, and, in this instance, 

 duty squares with my inclinations and wishes. 



&quot; L. S. CHATFIKLD.&quot; 



&quot; November 2, 1849.&quot; 



