Republican Advocate Batavia, Genesee County, New York State December 31-1833 Mr. Editor,- The following was intended for your last paper, but owing to the negligence of the person by whom it was sent, it was returned. I see but a few points in the second letter of "Settler" which require any notice. Dec. 28th. I notice in your paper of the 17th instant, a long communication addressed to Mr. EVANS, as Agent for the Holland Land Company, by "A Settler." I have lived in this county, and within the jurisdiction of the Company, for some twenty-four years; and profess to know something of the people around me. Moreover, a greater part of that time, my home has been in Darien, where "A Settler," hails from though I very much doubt whether he speaks the sentiments of the people of Darien. His communication is a sensible one, though he seems to be laboring in ignorance of some very important facts, or wilfully misrepresents. I do not for a moment believe, that the inhabitants of this town, or any other on the Purchase, would knowingly do a wrong. I am equally certain they would not suffer one to go unpunished. I therefore rest perfectly satisfied, that they will not be excited into a ferment by any article which may be addressed to their passions, rather than their reason. At least I know such to be the case in this town. I was the first to give notice, the past fall, of the intention of the Company, and offered my humble advice as to the best course to be pursued. So that your readers may judge whether I am not as much interested in the people's welfare as the "Settler" can be. But what is the trouble? What great grievance is it, about which "Settler" is so eloquent, and is the cause of his laying on to the Land Agent, so stoutly? Why, sir, the people are in debt, and do not pay as they agree; and their creditor wishes them to score up. Is that all? Exactly, sir, that is all. Let us "argufy" a little. Every body knows how this country was settled, and the manner in which the land was sold out. The Holland Company, as it is called, were the proprietors of the soil, and sold it out on terms of credit, and entered into contracts with the persons who became the occupiers of the land. The general terms of the contract were, that the land should be paid for in six yearly payments with interest; and then a deed would be given by the Company. Years passed on: contracts run out & were renewed, and run out again; and the interest had accumulated to an enormous amount; so much so, that in a vast number of instances, the settlers resolved to work the land as long as they could, and then abandon it to the Company, with all their improvements, because they could not pay the principal and interest with was then due. Some six years ago a change came over the business of the Company, and the course they pursued. I shall not stop now to inquire whose agency and influence it was that brought about; but if I am not greatly mistaken, the people are under very great obligations to the present Local Agent. The course then adopted was to put the land down to its original cost, or nearly so, and to throw off and disregard the back interest. In this manner the country was eased of a debt which must have amounted to a million or more of dollars. The new contract contained a clause of forfeiture in case of non-payment, and the same time was given as before. Thus far the Company had been certainly fair. Not only so, but they had shewn themselves lenient, and indulgent creditors.--And up to the present time no one can say in truth, but that their treatment to us has been honorable and kind. Have the settlers kept their word with the Company? Have they done as they agreed? Perhaps they could not. No matter: here was a fair and plain agreement entered into. Who first broke it? The Company? Oh, no. Not in one single instance have they broken their agreement, except in favor of the settler. Can the Company harm a man if he does as he agrees with them? No. I believe, sir, it is a settled principle that Justice is equal; and, that is the reason I have understood why the old lady is seen lugging about a pair of balances. She meets out to each his right, be he poor or rich; and thereby shows herself a very decent sort of a body. Last winter, the legislature, in their great wisdom, passed a law taxing the debts due non-residents.--This company being non-resident, all the debts due them on the Purchase become liable to be taxed. I do not acknowledge the "justice" or policy of the law. I think it for the present time uncalled for and impolite; and there are a good many of us up here in Darien who think in the same way. The Company do not feel disposed to pay the tax. Have they not a right to evade the payment if they can do it legally? The Company have a legal right to adopt any course they please with their property. That, thanks to our Constitution, is given to all. The settler, by his own negligence, has forfeited his land; and now the Company ask him to pay up, or take a new contract. Are they compelled to this course? No: for in one month's time, the whole territory might be disposed of to capitalists on good terms for the Company; but for the "poor" settler, most ruinous. And if such feelings as "A Settler" manifests are to prevail, I very much fear such will eventually be the result. But suppose we just chuck the Company into one scale, and the settler into the other; and let dame Justice decide the matter. Do you not see the settlers kick the beam the moment she raises the balance? The Company are right, and all our raving will not help the matter. Do you think, Mr. Editor, it looks exactly honest, to have people fly into a passion when they are called upon to pay me when their debts become due; and if they do not, and I have to indulge them, they must pay me for it: and I expect to do the same when I ask for a similar favor.--We Darien folks think it is no more than right others should have the same liberty. I have also heard it said somewhere, that when you get your hands into the Bear's mouth, it will not help you a bit to kick him or spit in his face. The best way I ever heard of was to wait til he opened his mouth, and then take them out. Now I would advise all concerned, to go to the office in a quiet sort of a way, as soon as they can, and take out new articles. No matter about the tax clauses. The law will probably be repealed this winter, and it will then do them no harm. And then I would advise them to go home and go to work, with their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, and be very prudent and economical; and not run into debt with merchants so much; but save every cent, and as fast as they get a little money, pay it into the office; and in a very little time they will be beyond want, and out of reach of the Company, or any of their Agents. If not disposed to do that, sell out to those who are. The Company I presume will still be lenient, unless driven to an opposite course by the clamor of demagogues. If I had not trespassed upon your patience so long, I would endeavor to poke a few holes through some of the premises assumed by "A Settler." As it is, I will hold on til another time. P--. Darien, Dec. 19th. + Recapture of WADKINS.--The colored man who is sentenced to be executed on the 17th, for murder, and who lately escaped from jail in Ballston Spa, was retaken two days after. He was secreted in the house of a colored man, not far from Ballston. The man who furnished the prisoner the means of relieving himself from his irons has also been arrested. It appears that a card of gingerbread was brought to prison, (in which was secreted a file,) with a request that the keeper would hand it to the prisoner. The request was complied with, and soon after he was far from his fetters, and, as has heretofore been stated, made his escape. The prisoner, when re-taken, was almost dead with cold and hunger. + submitted by Linda C. Schmidt *********************************************