626 HISTORY OP and fictitious; or that the leases contain provisions opposed to the spirit of our republican institutions, or unjust and oppres- sive in themselves ; or that they are precluded from inquiring into and disputing the right of the lessor, though he had no right to lease to them the lands. As a remedy for what they then feel unjust and unequal, they ask such a modification of the law, that the landlord should be bound legally to establish his title, or fail to enforce the conditions of the lease, and also that the right to distrain may be taken away. These charges are supported in part, by those, who from their inability to learn the facts in the case, are necessitated to obtain their information from secondhand sources, and who are unwilling to believe any person would bring forward such grave and weighty accusations, without, at least a fair and plausible foundation ; and they also receive countenance from another class, who stifle reason's voice when she speaks not in accord- ance with their passions, and will not be convinced of the fallacy of the arguments they advance, or if convinced, are like those who-^ — " Convinced against their will, Are of the same opinion still." But however supported, it becomes us calmly to investigate the charges, and learn their falsity or correctness. The terms of many of the original leases, were seven years rent-free, and thereafter a yearly rent of one shilling per acre. So great an inducement was this specification, that even those who could have purchased and paid in full for their land pre- ferred the other alternative.* At the expiration of the seven years, many were still too poor to meet their yearly demands, which through the forbearance of the proprietors, were suffered to pass unpaid, and accumulated from year to year. These
- " David SquireSj and many other original settlers.
