63 



abandoned the less fertile fields of their nativity^ 

 to settle upon a soil that they are certain will 

 abundantly repay the industry and art be- 

 stowed upon it. Undoubtedly the burthen of 

 the taxes and peculiar laws will have had some 

 share in causing these migrations across the 

 borders into a country where neither would be 

 felt. But be that as it may, many farmers thus 

 changing the scene of their labours, have, either 

 by purchase or by lease, obtained extensive 

 estates and endenizened themselves under the 

 British government ; whilst others, as eager to 

 enjoy the same advantages, but less honest in 

 their manner of obtaining them, have selected 

 convenient situations among the reserved lands, 

 wherein they have unceremoniously domi- 

 ciliated without licence or title; and even 

 without the acknowledgment of rent have con- 

 tinued to cultivate and improve their favourite 

 spots thus chosen. This species of tenure cer- 

 tainly ought not to be allowed by the crown, 

 and means should undoubtedly be taken to 

 eject such tenants, because their pj-ior occu- 

 pancy, the irregularity of it being generally 

 unknown, deprives the natural subject of taking 

 the lots upon the terms before recited in page 

 14. It is also desirable not to permit the per- 

 nicious example of such unauthorized posses- 

 sion of valuable property to communicate its 



